Posted by Larry Hoover on August 26, 2003, at 7:35:44
In reply to INSOMNIA: result of other mental illnesses??, posted by Psycho D on August 26, 2003, at 0:07:57
> I read a study done at the university of Pittsburgh that over 90% of depressed patients have insomnia and that sleep was directly linked to mental well-being.
I'd certainly agree that without restorative sleep, you won't have a sense of well-being, regardless of the effect of any other therapeutic intervention(s).
> Is insomnia a result of chemical imbalance? Or is a chemical imbalance a result of insomnia? Or niether?
I think it's a chicken-and-egg process. You get a little out of balance chemically, and you get a little bit of insomnia. The little bit of insomnia increases the amplitude of the chemical imbalance, and on, and on. N.B. I'm using chemical imbalance as a simplification. Your chemicals are always in balance, IMHO. It's just that some of those balances are less pleasant than others.
> I have several mental illnesses and i also have been an insomniac for as long as i can remember but my ignorant practionor says "just take 2 benadryl", which leaves me feeling groggy the next day and (oddly) seems to have an antagonistic effect with SSRI's for me.
It's important to recognize that your response to the Benadryl is not overly beneficial (odd or not). I don't understand the position taken by your practitioner. Apart from the grogginess, tolerance is a major problem with diphenhydramine.
> What are some good sleep-aid type meds that can combine well with ADs, particularly MAOI's and SSRIs???
> Thank you, CJThere are many, CJ. Augments like trazodone or mirtazapine (Remeron). Hypnotics: http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual/tables/173tb2.htm
I've used temazepam (Restoril) for a long time, without developing any apparent tolerance. And, it's only since I've had my insomnia treated that I've really been able to start climbing towards wellness. I don't understand your physician's reluctance to help you, in this regard.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:254160
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030823/msgs/254267.html