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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dinah on November 5, 2002, at 23:39:12
Dr. Gershon, I really enjoyed your presentation. I especially enjoyed the new information on the genetic links between bipolar and schizophrenia and other mental illnesses.
My pdoc has me somewhere on the bipolar spectrum - cyclothymia or perhaps Bipolar II. But my question is about my periodic meltdowns. They happen every couple of months and last for about a week, sometimes less. I guess I can best describe those as discrete periods of depression with agitation, anger, or extreme fear. It is not always associated with insomnia, sometimes I sleep way too much during them. There is usually a trigger, although it may well be something I ordinarily would not be upset about or that at least I would not react to so strongly. It just doesn't feel like me at all, it seems more like aliens have taken over my body. I do understand while it is happening that I am behaving unreasonably, but I can't seem to stop. I do things like self injure, or rock in the closet, and am quite difficult interpersonally. I am enormously embarassed afterwards.
There are very convincing psychological (non-biological) explanations for what is happening. In that case medications would not be of much use and therapy would be indicated. But I'm wondering if there are equally convincing biological explanations for what is happening. I realize you can't speak directly to my situation. But does what I'm describing fit in with a bipolar spectrum illness? My pdoc is suggesting adding a low dose of Risperdal to my Depakote and Klonopin, and I'm reluctant to do so if the causes are psychological rather than biological.
Sorry for the length of my post. And thank you for giving your time to this board.
Dinah
Posted by sjb on November 7, 2002, at 13:19:30
In reply to Dr. Gershon: Meltdowns and bipolar, posted by Dinah on November 5, 2002, at 23:39:12
I can relate to just about everything you said, esp. the aliens. I don't rock but just feel this incredible inertia where I could just stare and not do anything for a while. I do, however, crouch in corners for a period of time. I also have horrendous crying spells that I often cannot control even in public situations. These periods are usually preceded by binge eating and are followed by lots of sleeping and isolation.
I'm dreading the holidays. I want to tell my husband that I won't go with him and his kids to his hometown over Christmas. I'd rather work and keep to myself but if I do, I'll have incredible guilt over doing this to him and worrying about what he will tell everybody about my absence. I had a major meltdown the last time I went with him to his hometown. I started tearing up at the end of the evening but managed to delay the major waterworks until I got in the car.
Whoops, I got long winded and your post was for the Dr.
Posted by Dinah on November 8, 2002, at 10:05:50
In reply to Re: Dr. Gershon: Meltdowns and bipolar, posted by sjb on November 7, 2002, at 13:19:30
It's a weird experience. I've learned to, in some small corner of my mind, observe the meltdowns and have a pretty good idea of what's going on. Of course, that doesn't seem to change my behavior. I manage to cover it up so that I just look a bit off, or upset, on the outside to most people and do my inappropriate behaviors in safer places. I know I'm really getting over it when I have a day of pure obsessional thinking. Darned if I know why that is, maybe it pulls me back up into my head. It's distressing to think and behave in ways that just aren't congruent with who you know you are. And each time I'm obsessed with finding out the why of it all.
But I usually lose a few pounds with each episode, so it's not a complete waste. Now if I can just keep them off.
This is the end of the thread.
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