Posted by Peter on March 20, 2002, at 14:33:10
In reply to Re: Lithium for BPII or cyclothymia? NEED HELP, posted by Saffron on March 20, 2002, at 9:25:34
Hi Saffron:
>I have states where i get this depressed anxiety, not a mania, but a time where im depressed and yet i need some sort of action in order to pinch myself?
I know what you mean. This is similar to what I've experienced-that mixed anxiety/depression. With me, I usually don't want to be around anyone and I get irritable. So if I do have to go out, I feel like I need to drink in order to wash over that antisocial, depressed anxiety.
> I've been trying topamax and i really like it, it takes away all that depressed anxiety. you may want to give that a go, for a few weeks it made me feel really great.
I haven't discussed that one with my pdoc. I spoke to him today and informed him of the other doctor's opinion that I start lithium, and he said it sounds good- but first, for the next few days, he wants to increase my Neurontin dose to a more therapeutic level. He thinks Neurontin would be great for me, once we get the levels right: very few side-effects and anti-anxiety effects. He said he wouldn't prescribe it for a BPI person with intense mania, but he thinks it would be good for my mild, anxiety-laced mood swings.
> do you have a therapist as well as a psychiatrist? meds are part of it, but my main thing is the therapy, actually.
I was in therapy for years. Personally, I got sick of the intrusive nature of it and the fact that it got me more stressed out, over-analyzing myself all the time. But it was probably just the wrong therapist for me; I'm thinking of pursuing less psychodynamic therapy and more cognitive-behavioral therapy, which I've never tried and heard is good. Thanks for your input. I wish you the best.
Peter
poster:Peter
thread:98867
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020318/msgs/99040.html