Posted by Johann on April 24, 2007, at 1:52:26
In reply to mood stabilisers for atypical symptoms, posted by Ines on April 20, 2007, at 11:37:39
Hi Ines,
Don't be discouraged. After decades of atypical depression my new psychi and I realized that I have Bipolar Spectrum Disorder. Lithium and Lamictal have both helped, at the same time, and I don't feel any dullness, etc., just a loss of excrutiating depression. (For my job I must keep my mind and emotions highly tuned as well.) I also have high anxiety, which these two drugs don't help as much, so I am taking Klonopin for this.
PS--I'd say that your drug history does indicate a soft form of bipolar disorder; but even people with BPD1 can have a "normal" life.
Take care,
Johann
> I had an appointment with a psychiatrist yesterday, my first one- until now I've been treated by GPs. The pdoc was really nice, but I'm feeling really low after the appointment. Until recently I thought I had atypical depression- I have all the atypical symptoms + some ocd. But psychiatrist seems to think I'm bipolar (actually someone on this site has suggested that before)- he told me they're going to consider putting me on a mood stabiliser. I've reacted badly to all ADs I've tried (not many though), and the latest, reboxetine has made depression and ocd symptoms worse.
> I'm a bit freaked as I somehow got the idea that mood stabilisers make you a bit 'dopey' and take the edge off your personality. Is that the case? My job depends totally on brain function so the idea of being slowed down cognitively is freaky. I also binge eat and do not want to put on any more weight. Does anyone have experience of taking mood stabilisers with similar symptoms or know a bit about these types of meds? I know nothing...
> Psychiatrist told me there won't be a 'magic pill' for me in the long run and that what they can do is help me cope better with symptoms, so I feel realy low after that. Really cannot imagine the rest of my life being the way my life has been till now- all I can hope for in that case is that it's a short one... He also said I was extraordinarily competent at coping with this and that it could be so much worse if it wasn't for that competence. Soo not reassuring- I'm not sure what could get worse that rating between very depressed and extremely depressed on the depression scale most days, but I guess he meant I have a job and most people don't realise there's anything wrong with me. Anyway, I'm sure he meant well.
> When it comes down to it 'll have to take something that has the potential to work, no matter what the side effects are. I've been depressed for years and have hit rock bottom, in mental pain and basically suicidal every day, a lot of the day, so not much choice.... Sorry for such long post, really feel like garbage today which makes me babble. Any ideas would be much appreciated...
> Ines
poster:Johann
thread:751595
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070419/msgs/752937.html