Posted by Elizabeth on November 8, 2001, at 19:37:56
In reply to Re: Atypical Depression Actually Very Typical, posted by noa on November 7, 2001, at 18:52:48
> I think this is where the double depression idea really makes a lot of sense--ie, you can have a chronic atypical depression, with episodic major depression with melancholic features ocurring sometimes.
I have double depression. My dysthymia is more "typical" than chronic depression often is, but it is mood-reactive and I have a lot of anergia or lethargy, which can be part of atypical depression. I also have panic attacks.
I think that dysthymia is usually mood-reactive. (The degree of mood reactivity is one measure of the severity of depression.)
> The way I've understood "mood reactivity" is consistent with what your doctors were observing--do you laugh at a joke, brighten at all to something someone says, even if just for a moment, as opposed to inability to laugh, smile respond at all, etc. It can be an extremely temporary reaction.
Yes, That's what I think it means too. Or you can enjoy some basic things like food or sex. (People with atypical depression often "self-medicate" with food. I'm not sure if they use sex this way either -- but does anyone happen to know?)
-elizabeth
poster:Elizabeth
thread:83164
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011104/msgs/83596.html