Posted by ed_uk on November 20, 2005, at 14:19:03
In reply to Re: Lexapro: 10mg vs 20mg. Any more beneficial?????? » ed_uk, posted by bigcat on November 20, 2005, at 9:34:18
Hi Matt
>Tegretol or Trileptal no. Are these anticonvulsants with mood-stabilizing properties?
Yes, they're mainly used to treat mania and mixed episodes. They may also be effective in reducing the agitation associated with severe depression.
>my brother is depressed
Has your brother ever had anything resembling a manic or hypomanic episode?
Here is a description of 'classic' mania....
(I say 'classic' because it's now recognised that mania can be very unpleasant, rather than euphoric as described here)
Mood is elevated out of keeping with the individual's circumstances and may vary from carefree joviality to almost uncontrollable excitement. Elation is accompanied by increased energy, resulting in overactivity, pressure of speech, and a decreased need for sleep. Normal social inhibitions are lost, attention cannot be sustained, and there is often marked distractability. Self-esteem is inflated, and grandiose or over-optimistic ideas are freely expressed.
Perceptual disorders may occur, such as the appreciation of colours as especially vivid (and usually beautiful), a preoccupation with fine details of surfaces or textures, and subjective hyperacusis. The individual may embark on extravagant and impractical schemes, spend money recklessly, or become aggressive, amorous, or facetious in inappropriate circumstances. In some manic episodes the mood is irritable and suspicious rather than elated.
Here is a description of 'classic' hypomania....
Hypomania is a lesser degree of mania, in which abnormalities of mood and behaviour are too persistent and marked to be included under cyclothymia but are not accompanied by hallucinations or delusions. There is a persistent mild elevation of mood (for at least several days on end), increased energy and activity, and usually marked feelings of well-being and both physical and mental efficiency. Increased sociability, talkativeness, overfamiliarity, increased sexual energy, and a decreased need for sleep are often present but not to the extent that they lead to severe disruption of work or result in social rejection. Irritability, conceit, and boorish behaviour may take the place of the more usual euphoric sociability.
Concentration and attention may be impaired, thus diminishing the ability to settle down to work or to relaxation and leisure, but this may not prevent the appearance of interests in quite new ventures and activities, or mild over-spending.
>OCD
Did you say you tried Anafranil?
>My chief obsession is the self-monitoring thing
Would you say it's a form of social anxiety?
Kind regards
Ed
poster:ed_uk
thread:573903
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20051119/msgs/580628.html