I am 48 years old and having chronic depression since last 15 years and on depression medication. Paroxetine 50 mg and lamictal 300 mg. During the first depressive episode I had complete numbness of brain with severe short term memory impairment and other cognition problems like slower thinking and slow grasping etc developed. antidepressants helped to some extent easing depression symptom but cognition problems not resolved even after 15 years. Can any psychiatrist or neurologist can suggest either any add on medication or neurological tests like mri of brain and neck etc as I had severe neck and headaches for almost 2 years before the occurrence of major depressive episode that resulted in severe cognition issues (short term memory, slower hiking and slow grasping) please advise.

Dr. Subrata NaskarPsychiatrist10yrs exp

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Dear Mr. lybrate-user, you are on the highest possible dose of an antidepressant (paroxetine) and a mood stabilizer (lamictal). Cognitive problems is often due to depression, but it can be because of other problems also. You need to check your serum vitamin b12 level and get a thyroid evaluation done. An mri of brain should to done to assess any vascular changes also. If all the tests are normal, then you may need a change of medications to address your problems. You can also try yoga and meditation which are of great help.  

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Dr. K V AnandPsychologist17yrs exp

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Dear user. I can understand. Depressive disorder or depression is a neuro chemical disorder. Suicidal tendency is one main symptom of depression. You must be able to distinguish between mental disease and mental disorder. Your problem is a mental disorder. Not a mental disease. These mental disorders are usually treated with a combination of medicines and other means like awareness, meditation, psychotherapy techniques, life style changes etc. Take care.  

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