Posted by Racer on January 3, 2008, at 14:50:41
In reply to Black coffee and meltdowns, posted by Maxime on January 2, 2008, at 18:52:12
Bleauberry had a good idea, about listing specific symptoms and rating them in order of priority. Depression is a very broad term, and doesn't always mean the same thing. Right now, for instance, "depression" for me means low interest, low energy, low (read: non-existent) motivation, and lowered mood, but without a lot of the anxiety, agitation, intense and immediate hopelessness, etc, that it usually brings me. (That's the effect of the EMSAM so far: I don't have the energy or motivation to be upset or even to think about how hopeless and meaningless my life is. Maybe it's just me, but I'm not thinking of this as "remission.") So, if I were to ask my doctor to adjust my medication right now, I'd ask about something that might improve energy, motivation, cognition, and sleep, since those are the specific symptoms that are bothering me most. (Well, those and constipation, but I think I've said enough about that already...)
(Of course, in my case, I'm actually asking about giving up this medication trial. Adding to a medication which is causing problems without significant benefit doesn't make me jump for joy.)
Does that make sense to you?
Frankly, I wonder what patterns would result here if we all made such lists, and then compared the results of various medications. I'll bet there are enough of us that we'd learn something about what patterns of depression led to response to various medications... Something to think about.
If I had the motivation and/or energy, I might even start a thread on the subject...
poster:Racer
thread:803857
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20071225/msgs/804011.html