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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by btnd on April 11, 2003, at 19:51:04
Here is the link to this new study:
This would explain why Klonopin works as an AD for me ;)
Posted by tensor on April 11, 2003, at 22:00:58
In reply to Klonopin works for unipolar depression, posted by btnd on April 11, 2003, at 19:51:04
Actually it doesn´t. It´s just a study, nothing else. I´m sure there is an equally amount of studies that shows the opposite.
In long term I believe benzo´s are depressing, takes away your motivation etc. I´m also at klonopin, 2-4mg daily for sp, but I firmly believe it kills my motivation to do anything, which in long term is depressing.tensor
Posted by btnd on April 11, 2003, at 22:54:06
In reply to Re: Klonopin works for unipolar depression, posted by tensor on April 11, 2003, at 22:00:58
> Actually it doesn´t. It´s just a study, nothing else. I´m sure there is an equally amount of studies that shows the opposite.
> In long term I believe benzo´s are depressing, takes away your motivation etc. I´m also at klonopin, 2-4mg daily for sp, but I firmly believe it kills my motivation to do anything, which in long term is depressing.You take Klonopin for SP and the study tested whether Klonopin is effective in unipolar&bipolar depressions or not. And this is not the only study which shows AD effect of clonazepam.
Posted by Questionmark on April 12, 2003, at 1:28:56
In reply to Re: Klonopin works for unipolar depression, posted by btnd on April 11, 2003, at 22:54:06
i have SP and major depression, and i'd have to agree with Tensor that, at least for me, Klonopin is not directly helpful for depression and if anything is somewhat worse for it. But maybe it can be beneficial for some.
Posted by Viridis on April 12, 2003, at 3:09:40
In reply to Re: Klonopin works for unipolar depression, posted by Questionmark on April 12, 2003, at 1:28:56
It's pretty clear that there are many causes and kinds of depression (nothing new there); some respond positively to treatment with certain benzos, some negatively, some not at all. Klonopin definitely alleviates anxiety-induced depression for me, and this is the worst kind of depression that I experience, so K is the best AD I've found. Xanax also has powerful antidepressant effects for me (perhaps even better than Klonopin). Various peer-reviewed papers have been cited in previous posts here that support the use of benzos as ADs for some people.
If your depression has a different biochemical basis, then of course benzos may be ineffective or even detrimental. It's no different from the range in responses that people experience to different "true" ADs. Even with benzos, I experience bouts of what is (for me) a milder, more "lethargic" form of depression which is best treated with amphetamines. SSRIs, SNRIs, etc. are great for some people, but those I've tried have been terrible for me.
Depression (even when restricted to the "unipolar" type) is much too complex a subject for generalizations, because it's extremely unlikely that it represents a single condition with a single cause.
Posted by bretbe on April 12, 2003, at 13:33:47
In reply to Re: Klonopin works for unipolar depression, posted by Viridis on April 12, 2003, at 3:09:40
Amen to your message on the complexity of depression. Clearly, the word "depression" is used very loosely to describe a number of miserable subjective states. After over a dozen traditional meds for depression, Klonopin seems to be the only thing that makes a dent. But my "depression" is not the lethargic, lack of energy kind many experience but a more anxiety driven dysphoria and mental pain/anguish causing me to feel hopeless about being able to tolerate and cope with life.
Posted by btnd on April 12, 2003, at 17:50:02
In reply to Amen Viridis!, posted by bretbe on April 12, 2003, at 13:33:47
I also agree with Viridis.
I think that there are few different types of depression and each one should be treated seperately with specific drugs (for example low-dopamine depression shouldn't be treated with an SSRI as is mostly done, but with dopamine related medications)
Types of depressions could be:
- anxiety-driven depression
- genetically low dopamine levels or problems with dopamine receptors
- genetically low serotonin levels or problems with serotonin receptors
- purely psychological depression induced for example by some traumauic experience
- unknown source of depression that can be cured by magnesium intake
- unknown source of depression that can be cured by omega-3 (fish oil,flax oil)
- bipolar depression of unknown origin
Posted by McPac on April 12, 2003, at 22:54:09
In reply to Re: Klonopin works for unipolar depression, posted by Viridis on April 12, 2003, at 3:09:40
"I experience bouts of what is (for me) a milder, more "lethargic" form of depression which is best treated with amphetamines."
Which amphetamines have helped you? thanks!
Posted by Viridis on April 12, 2003, at 23:20:33
In reply to Viridis,Re: Klonopin works for unipolar depression, posted by McPac on April 12, 2003, at 22:54:09
I find Adderall very helpful; past experience with other amphetamines (e.g., dexedrine) produced a similar effect. Provigil (not an amphetamine, but a stimulant, and much less controlled than amphetamines) also improves my mood but doesn't help much with ADD, for which my Adderall is prescribed. Provigil (=modafinil) is definitely worth a try before you get into Schedule II drugs.
Posted by lady fever on April 13, 2003, at 4:10:33
In reply to Klonopin works for unipolar depression, posted by btnd on April 11, 2003, at 19:51:04
I had really good luck w. Xanax 2 mg a day as an antidepressant for a few years.
Posted by Questionmark on April 14, 2003, at 1:10:08
In reply to Re: Klonopin works for unipolar depression, posted by Viridis on April 12, 2003, at 3:09:40
This is the end of the thread.
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