# Is my Cerebellar Ataxia causing my depression? **URL:** \ **Category:** General\ **Tags:** symptoms\ **Created:** [August 1, 2014, 4:05pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/is-my-cerebellar-ataxia-causing-my-depression/2312 "2014-08-01T16:05:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Marie\_T1](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/marie_t1/32/355_2.png) [@Marie\_T1](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/Marie_T1)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2014, 10:11am UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/is-my-cerebellar-ataxia-causing-my-depression/2312/21 "2014-08-21T10:11:01Z")
And mine. ---
**Author:** ![Jodie](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/jodie/32/647_2.png) [@Jodie](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/Jodie)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2014, 9:07pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/is-my-cerebellar-ataxia-causing-my-depression/2312/22 "2014-08-21T21:07:57Z")
Hi Damo, I take the generic version of Zoloft (Sertraline HCL). I take 50 mg. The only side effect I have noticed is that I get headaches occasionally. Jodie Damo said: > Hey Jodiie, what strength do you take and what side effects have you had?? > > Damo > > Jodie said: > > > I am also 43 and have sca2. I have always suffered from depression since I can remember but started taking Zoloft only a few years ago. It really does help a lot. Sometimes I feel like it makes me okay with idesituations that used to make me upset.....in an unnatural way. That kind of bothers me. ---
**Author:** ![Damo](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/damo/32/1458_2.png) [@Damo](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/Damo)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2014, 9:17am UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/is-my-cerebellar-ataxia-causing-my-depression/2312/23 "2014-08-26T09:17:24Z")
Hi Jodie Last week I was prescribed Cymbalta 30mgs. Too early for results I suppose. At beginning I had bad side effects. Awful nausea, hot and cold flushes, bathroom troubles, pi_ns and needles, dry mouth, feeling awful all day._ Damo ---
**Author:** ![Jodie](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/jodie/32/647_2.png) [@Jodie](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/Jodie)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2014, 10:55pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/is-my-cerebellar-ataxia-causing-my-depression/2312/24 "2014-08-26T22:55:45Z")
Well, I would guess if you aren't having those bad side effects anymore, you should give it a few more weeks. I don't know much about Cymbalta but I would give it a little more time and see if it helps. Jodie ---
**Author:** ![eleets39](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/eleets39/32/1448_2.png) [@eleets39](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/eleets39)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2019, 8:20pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/is-my-cerebellar-ataxia-causing-my-depression/2312/25 "2019-07-31T20:20:35Z")
I have sca 3 and I take CBD from my depression it seems to work very well for me ---
**Author:** ![Beryl\_Park](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/beryl_park/32/5716_2.png) [@Beryl\_Park](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/Beryl_Park)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2019, 3:03pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/is-my-cerebellar-ataxia-causing-my-depression/2312/26 "2019-08-01T15:03:08Z")
Hi eleets39 🙂 Is this over the counter CBD Oil, or Prescribed Medicinal CBD 🤔 ---
**Author:** ![eleets39](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/eleets39/32/1448_2.png) [@eleets39](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/eleets39)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2019, 9:12pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/is-my-cerebellar-ataxia-causing-my-depression/2312/27 "2019-08-14T21:12:56Z")
And seems to be found over-the-counter nowadays ---
**Author:** ![Linda4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ec9cab/32.png) [@Linda4](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/Linda4)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2019, 10:33pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/is-my-cerebellar-ataxia-causing-my-depression/2312/28 "2019-08-15T22:33:30Z")
I have been taking 10 mg daily of citraopram for 8 years now, it is generic Celexa. The only side effect is dry mouth as well as feeling much better. I never had depression in my pre-ataxia days. My ataxia was due to surgery, so it was sudden onset. I am totally convinced that my depression goes with my ataxia and I encourage anyone with it to get treatment. It helps a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Shane](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/shane/32/3538_2.png) [@Shane](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/Shane)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2019, 3:59am UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/is-my-cerebellar-ataxia-causing-my-depression/2312/29 "2019-08-17T03:59:06Z")
Hi Damo, I’m 42 and have SCA7. Despite the physical problems, I have been the same mentally my whole life. In my opinion, I don’t think SCA itself is causing your depression. I’m just naturally a happy person otherwise this condition would definitely push me into sadness. Shane ---
**Author:** ![Shoaib](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Shoaib](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/Shoaib)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2019, 12:33pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/is-my-cerebellar-ataxia-causing-my-depression/2312/30 "2019-08-17T12:33:22Z")
Any form of depression is not uncommon with people who have SCA. Imagine you cannot do the things you did before, even when you are considered not too old. Even though ataxia itself have very little effect on the “Depressive” changes in the brain, it is very usual to have some form of “helplessness” from it’s symptoms. People who exhibit these sign may benefit from anti depressants and take the “Edge” off as prescribed by your psychiatrist. If you don’tn need any anti depressants, there is no reason to use it. [Previous page](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/is-my-cerebellar-ataxia-causing-my-depression/2312.md?page=1)