low testeron & depression

Hello! My brother suffered from (mild) depression a few years ago and his doc who did research and thesis on testosterone impact on mood suggested they measured testosterone levels as well and like in many other men with depression, it has been found he had lower levels.
My brother has already been taking SSRI drugs for depression and boosting serotonin levels, but the drug had some side effects at first and there wasn’t much improvement though with these anti-depressants. He experienced low sexual desire which he didn’t have before and then the doc didn’t know if the low libido was due to anti-depressants drugs or low testosterone levels.
Anti-depressant drugs cause low sexual interest because they shut down those receptors for sexuality so that more serotonin can be used for improving mood.
Now, back to your question. We have also read that some testosterone drugs may cause depression as a side effect but my brother was taking this hormonal therapy along with anti-depressants, so he didn’t experience any of these problems.
His mood improved after a while and was slowly been taking of SSRi first but he is still taking testosterone.

I am new to this message boards. My father has depression. It all started back about two months ago from today, there way not much going on there, but since then he has lost nearly 30 pounds from his orignal weight of 170. We have taking him to a General Physcian to have a physical test and blood test also done on him. All of the test came back ok. The first time the doctor prescirbed him the anti-depresseant called Citalopram. I think it was a low dosage, he took took that for about three weeks along with sleeping pills provided by the dr called. Amiben. He was having trouble sleeping. From my understanding Amiben would knock someone out for hours. My would wake up in maybe 6 or 7 hours. When he was taking the anti-depressant. He was expereince excess sweating constantly and shaking of the left arm. He continued to worry about everything. He would not let anyone leave his side. He would hold on to my brother and sister and tell them dont go anywhere say right by me. I dont anyone to leave me. He feels that everyone is going to leave him. He is always wondering how we are going to pay the bills. We have a business that is not in the best of area, more like the ghetto, and it has a home to live in the business it self. its a local hotel. He is always worried about what is going to happen or where are we going to get the money to pay people back. I know we dont live in the best of areas, but thats all we can afford based on our situation. We are all trying really hard to get out of here and get a nice house for us to live in and help each other out. I am worried about him so much that it is taking a toll on our family. My mother is by his side. she stays with him all of the time. My brother and myself have taken much of the business reponisiblabity and kept him limited. He is always asking us you are coming back right. Dont leave me. Well just last week he had another Dr. appointment to review his tests (Blood work) they also did an EKG b/c he always is feeling nervous. Everything was normal and in best of health. But the dr changed his anti-depressant medicine to Paroxetine and increased the dosage to 20MG. Along with that he has some vitaims the dr prescribed for him to take also. It has since been a week now that he has been taking the Paroxetine. He is taking in the afternoon. The reason why is that. he stays up part of the night watch the office, the office is attached to the living quarters, you can see nicely and peacefully in the livingroom watch tv and watch the office. But we dont usually get the type of customer that are nice .. I mean we live in the ghetto. that is enough said. Sometimes he is making progress, but then sometimes he is not. I know we can not be angry with him we have trying really hard. It seem much of his fear and thought circulate around money and worries. He does not want to go anywhere from here, but stay here. My mother has been a blessing for us. We all work and go to school all day and she is here with him and handling so much with the hotel, people, and her husband that sometimes she just want to break down and let it out. My father used to be an acholic. its been about two years since he has not been drinking. I dont know if that has an effect on the situation. I really need some advice, pointers, or what can we start to do other than the medicine if there is anything else. We do not have insurance and I have applied for the stated funded insurance, but have to wait and see if he qualify for it. Please if anyone out there can help us with any information of what we can do or change it would help us a lot. I dont want to see him like this. He age is 53. I should have put that in the beginning of the message. Thanks for your help.

hi. mind f I ask you a personal question? are you & your family Latino? If so I've noticed that the Latino community tend to suffer from stress & anixiety a lot more than most. Plus has your father ever served in any of the armed servises? if so he may have "post trumatic stress disorder". also talk to your father about his past. go back with him in to his childhood. many people (of all walks of life), have sufferd a phycological event that leaves us with many issues such "abandonment issues". which might explain why he fear being left alone. like so many men, emotions are pushed way down for fear of appearing weak. so, a lot can happen to a man & because he refuses to acknowlege it ever having happend to him, it just sits in the dark resess of his mind untill it can no longer stay silent, a bubbels to the surface of his mind as depression. lastly, have him checked for low testosterone. there could very well be a phyical reason for your father's depression. well good luck