Posted by Sparkboy on March 1, 2002, at 1:07:43
In reply to Atypical Depression, posted by Automated Lady on February 25, 2002, at 13:15:23
> Just found out about atypical depression.... why have I never been told about this by any of the doctors or psychiatrists/counsellors I've seen? Can anyone else tell me about their experiences being diagnosed with this, or is it something they only recognise in the US?
>
> I've been struggling with depression since my teens (I'm now 24) and have never understood why it just wouldn't go away, why no medication really seemed to work, and why I was sleeping and eating so much when you're supposed to lose weight and not sleep when depressed (this was made worse because my mother suffered "classic" depression and I think expected mine to take the same course as hers).
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> Anyone id, and what kind of medication has worked?
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> ALHello. Yeah, this sounds like atypical depression. Younger onset and chronic, along with the more notorious symptoms you describe. I wouldn't waste time on re-uptake inhibitors (non-MAOIs). MAOIs defined atypical depression in the late '50s, when some doctors described the peculiarities of a group of patients who ONLY responded to an MAOI and not imipramine (tricyclic) or ECT. I found it interesting that the biology (a selective drug response) defined this illness rather than a subjective cataloging of symptoms. I think modern researchers muddy the definition of atypical depression by a seeming unawareness of the history.
Parnate was the only thing that ever worked for me. Nardil is also used. Marplan is another. Despite recent publicity, I don't think atypical depression is all that common. I struggled for years with useless meds, many doctors, and no definitive diagnosis, until I finally went to a university medical center, got a correct diagnosis, and treated with an MAOI.
--John
poster:Sparkboy
thread:95469
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020222/msgs/95914.html