Questions on helping to lift depressive episode

Greetings all

It's been a bit since my last post here but I have been checking in every day to see what's going on..

I have a question regarding a depressive episode.  For those of you that are familiar with my background, my bf is still currently experiencing a depressive episode.  He's been this way since the end of June. 

He was given a rare opportunity to visit Europe with all expenses paid; flight, accommodations, food, etc.  His meds are not working for him right now and he is currently doing a mood chart and taking his meds for his anxiety since they still have some affect on him.

My question is, do vacation, especially travelling away from the day-to-day drudge help to lift an episode?  Have any of you experienced feeling much better after going on vacation..maybe helping to lift you out of an episode?

I attend support groups every week and a friend of mine that attends the same meeting is BP and said he forced himself to take a trip in order to see if it might help lift him out of the depressive state he was in.  It had a positive effect on him so I wanted to see if any of you may have had similar results.

My bf currently takes Lexapro and xanax, but the lexapro no longer works as he had a breakthrough sometime late May, early June I think.  His pdox is having him chart his moods and considering changing his dx.  He's been doing this since mid-July and is still currently charting his moods and waiting for a right mix of meds.  I don't think his pdoc has given him a new mix of meds to try.  Is that normal...I mean it's now the end of September, and he's still waiting.

Thanks to anyone willing to read this and giveme any advice/their opinion.  It sure will help

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After twelve years of therapy my psychiatrist said something that brought tears to my eyes. He said, "No hablo ingles."

Like Teresa, I think a holiday would lift a depressive episode, but not always. Holidays are (Generally) stress free and packed full of fun activities. Since there is usually something for everyone... whether its looks around art galleries or white water rafting, there is something for everyone. I would definately say go for it.

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Everyone has a guardian angel. They help pick you up when you fall, comfort you through your times of need and help you appreciate the times when things are going well.

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Hello ya'll......I also agree with you both. Vacations is so much more laid back, easygoing, unstressfull that I can honestly say GO!!! I suffer with Major Depression and have for the past 28 years. As Teresa said vacations have been the most enjoyable times of my life...but of course the birth of my baby girl was the biggest. I have been a member here for heck I don't remember for how long, maybe a couple of years but I mostly read for info posting now and then.
Wicked, as far as your BF Pdoc mixing combos of meds for him to try to see what works for him that is a good thing. Mine did the same and I am finally settled into a concoxtion of Cymbalta, WellbutrinXL, Trazadone, and Lunesta. I feel better at this time now the best since my last long episode since Katrina.(2yrs ago) But at the same token I do have simple bouts(short lived) episodes. But at least now I know I CAN and WILL get better again shortly. At the present I am very nervous that I have to go to the ALJ hearing on next Tuesday regarding SSA Disability. I filed immediately after Katrina. If any of you are praying people please send some this way.
If I can be of any help to anyone here please don't hesitate to give me a shout. I will do my very best!
As Teresa said keep the positive attitude it makes the bumps in the road a bit softer.

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