HomeAnswersPsychiatrydepressionAre there any other treatment options for depression?

What are the alternative treatment options for my depression, anxiety, and insomnia other than medications?

Share

The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Answered by

Dr. Ruhi Satija

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At September 11, 2022
Reviewed AtOctober 6, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I have been dealing with depression, anxiety, and insomnia for a while. I am taking the tablets Effexor, Lamictal, Ativan, Ambien, Hydroxyzine, and Deplin. It has been a long time since my mood was at its best. I am unsure what is happening, and I am now struggling to be still. I constantly feel like I have to move. I pick my skin without realizing it. I sway back and forth when I stand. My mind is constantly running conversations through my head. My memory now takes me a while to get words out when speaking or writing. I sometimes have to think about how to spell words. I forget things I should be doing that I do eventually remember. My thinking is sometimes really slow. I lose focus easily. I suck my lips all the time. I accidentally bite my cheeks when I eat. I feel hyperactive. I have hot flashes of dripping sweat. My body feels stiff. My skin is very sensitive and dry and has acne. My right hand itches and the tips of the fingers on my right hand feel strange. My eyes sometimes roll without me realizing it. The only reason I know that is people tell me. My blood pressure and heart rate are high. I do not feel the need to sleep much. I have really bad heartburn, especially when I lie down. I had a spell one night that woke me up, and my legs felt funny. When I woke up, I sat up, and my legs were lifted off the bed, jerking. My head started jerking too. I was fully aware of what was happening but could not control it. I was not dreaming. My doctor does not think it was a seizure. It was mild initially. It just continues to get worse, though. It started going downhill when I had night episodes. I am not depressed. I have nothing to be anxious about. This does not feel like any anxiety I have felt before. I am not stressed. To add, I do not drink enough water and do not get enough sleep. This is like nothing I have ever felt. I do see a therapist. What suggestions do you have? Are all my symptoms related? Are there any alternatives to medications? Kindly help.

Answered by Dr. Ruhi Satija

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

The restlessness, the need to move, and the jerks could represent psychomotor agitation, a symptom of depression in a few cases. The eye-rolling could be ocular dystonia, which can be a side effect of the changed medication. It is not a seizure. So please consult your doctor and get evaluated for agitation and dystonia. A little adjustment in doses might be required. I hope this helps.

Thank you and take care.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Ruhi Satija
Dr. Ruhi Satija

Psychiatry

Community Banner Mobile
By subscribing, I agree to iCliniq's Terms & Privacy Policy.

Read answers about:

insomniadepressionanxiety

Ask your health query to a doctor online

Psychiatry

*guaranteed answer within 4 hours

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. iCliniq privacy policy