Posted by JohnX2 on May 14, 2002, at 22:22:59
In reply to Re: New Questions=New Diagnosis In Progress=Thanks » JohnX2, posted by Leighwit on May 14, 2002, at 19:32:13
> >
> > Lamictal has one of the more notable antidepressant effects
> > of the mood stabilizer and is generally good for cycling.
>
> Thanks for the info, John. Re your comment about cycling, I've read many Lamictal-related posts that mention cycling. Since I don't have any mania I wouldn't guess I have a cycular condition.
>
> I must admit, however, that the more I read about the bi-polar "spectrum" the more confused I'm getting. I don't for example, understand what people refer to when they use the word hypomania. Is that merely referring to an "extended or exaggerated mood" or is it always an elevated mood? Can one be manic in an irritable or angry sense?
>
> I don't think I have any cycles per se'. I'm irritable (as an adjunct to the depression symptoms of lethargy and disinterested melancholy/hopelessness) and anxious to the point of distraction rather regularly. Some days are worse than others, but I don't see a pattern of episodes.
>
> I've been complaining about it the past year as a side effect of Wellbutrin, thinking I should stop WB or start taking Xanax, which didn't appeal to me. Then I started reading posts here from people who had the same overall condition (depression plus irritabilty and/or anxiety) and were finding out that they were not unipolar and neeeded some sort of mood stabilizer in order to treat the irritability. I also read that ADs can make such people worse and can excaserbate their actual condition.
>
> Are there always cycles to bi-polar conditions? Are manias always "elevated" moods?
>
> I wonder-
> LaurieLaurie,
Usually there are cycles to bipolar, call them mood swings.
Some people have very long cycles though.Its possible to be hypomanic and not euphoric (maybe even depressed).
In fact this is a more difficult condition to diagnose. Some people call
it "dysphoric hypomania". There are also "mixed states" with symptoms
of both depression and hypomania at the same time.Usually you may feel at least agitated, maybe have psychomotor
agitation (can't sit still), disctracted easily, think fast and
in tangents, maybe feel hostile or angry.Sometimes if the other classes of medicines don't work out, then
you are right, switching to a new class like mood stabilizer might
be a good bet. Process of elimination is useful.Good luck with the Lamictal. Another mood stabilizer that a lot
of people use secondarily is Neurontin. You may add this to your
cocktail to help with agitation and anxiety. Other people really
like Klonopin (It does have mood stabilizer properties).Take Care,
John
poster:JohnX2
thread:106330
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020510/msgs/106443.html