looking for help for my friend

I am new to this site and looking to help a friend of mine. You guys really seem to know your stuff and care for each other, so I figured it was worth a shot.

My best friend has been through the ringer. He was diagnosed with MS at 22 and has been through a ton of physical and emotional pain due to this. MS causes depression and emotional instability, as well as just the stress of having the illness and learning to cope with it.. so he has seen various psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, etc.. No one can seem to find the answer for his psych needs, so I'm wondering if you can help.

I will try to describe his SX the best I can.. He has periods of crippling depression, severe anxiety, some paranoia, WILD mood swings, insomnia.. He forms very dependent relationships with women (not neccesarilly in a romantic way) but it gets to the point where he becomes very controlling and paranoid.. constantly inventing problems where they don't exist, always thinking they are upset with him, to the point where he acts psychotic and can think of nothing else. He will become quite volatile and react to absolutely everything, he is afraid to live his life because he is constantly worried that something is going to go wrong, he has periods of uncontrollable crying..

I guess the main SX are the periods of depression, which is why I posted here. Also the anxiety which I know goes hand in hand with depression.. SO I hope it's okay I posted this here. I really want him to get help, and it also very draining for me and other people who try to care for him (I don't mean this in a selfish way) as he can be quite difficult to console or help. I am just worried about him.

He has been on several depression meds (a couple SSRI's that I know of, trazodone, and now he is on a tri-cyclic, not sure which one) also he has taken some PRN anxiety meds.. gone to a couple therapists but nothing long-term that he felt helped him. I think he definitely needs a good therapist, but other than that I am not sure what he needs.

Sorry if this post is all over the place.. if you guys could help at all I would be so appreciative. Thank you =)

Thank you so much for the reply =)

He has been on a long journey, and I feel so badly for him. He tries so hard, and life just keeps knocking him down so it's understandable. We are very close and I care very much about him, and have had a history of depression myself so I can empathize.

He was talking to me last week about maybe getting put on a mood stabilizer. It seems like the anti-depressants just aren't doing the job. I definitely think you are right about the psychologist.. he needs to talk through a lot of stuff. But I think if they can just get the meds right, it will make a huge difference.. at least give him some room to breathe.

He has been through a lot, and I just want him to get some relief.

Also, it is so nice to have a place to go to talk about this kind of thing. I will definitely be around.. it is so refreshing!

I hope that things work out for the both of you. You have come to a good place. Everybody here is so understanding. Some have been through the same as you and understand completely. I am so glad that you have joined us. Hope that the article helps some. Wasn't sure.

I believe in mood stabilizers and I take abilify. It has really helped me in the last couple of years. It is nice to feel good.

Best wishes to you. Keep posting, and know we care.

Hugs, Karen