Depression is usually characterized by low energy, low self-esteem, changes in sleep, appetite, and sexual interest, and decreased interest in usually enjoyable activities. Increased irritability or loss of patience is also common. The good news is that in 2005 depression can usually be very effectively treated. Talking about troubles can be very helpful and so can modern medications. Wellbutrin SR, for instance, improves mood, energy, and motivation without adversely affecting weight and sexual response. For people who worry, Effexor XR, Celexa, Lexapro, Zoloft, Luvox, Paxil, or Prozac can significantly allay that tendency. Of these medications, Effexor XR, Celexa, and Lexapro are the least likely to cause weight gain and decreased sexual function or have interactions with other medications. For people with a family or personal history of alcoholism, Serzone can relieve depression, anxiety, pain, and insomnia while not causing weight gain or sexual dysfunction. It can do that for folks without an alcohol history too, but seems especially well-suited for those who do have alcohol in their past. Sometimes these or other medications can be prescribed in combination with one another to obtain just the right result for a given person who has not yet obtained relief from a single medication. Adding Abilify or Geodon can sometimes be extremely helpful. Some people respond best to a monoamine oxidase inhibitor like Parnate. Others seem to benefit most from mood stabilizing medications like Lamictal or lithium. We encourage you to talk with your nurse or doctor about treatment of your symptoms of depression. Depression is a serious illness when left untreated. Uncomfortable emotions are due to either an immediate threat or perceived threat or the result of an imbalance of some kind. These uncomfortable emotions can serve as a guide to restoration of physical, emotional and spiritual balance.