Posted by Sean on May 12, 1999, at 11:08:40
In reply to Re: Effexor and Topamax / cyclothymia?, posted by v on May 12, 1999, at 6:45:14
> > Has anyone used this combination for the treatment of cyclothymia?
>
> i'm taking that combination but i don't know what cyclothymia is... please explain?
>
> thanksHey!
The current thinking is that Cyclothymia is
probably a form of bipolar disorder. It was once
thought not to be treatable w/meds but in recent
years many researchers have found that drugs like
lithium, valproate, and carbamazepine combined
with an AD often works wonders. The doses are
typically lower than with full blown BPD, so
side effects are less of an issue.The main differentiation between dysthymia and
cyclothymia is the presence of hypomania rather
than true mania, and this oscillates with the
depression, often with surprising predictability
and higher frequency than classic bipolar. In
may be more like rapid cycling in this respect.One thing I find interesting about cyclothymia is
looking at it in light of the "kindling
hypothesis". It was this hypothesis that led
physicians to start using anti-siezure drugs for
BPD in the first place. It therefore stands out
in the annals of psychopharmacology as one of the
few treatments that came directly from an abstract
model of disease. Researchers had noticed that
over time, attacks of bipolar disorder increased
in frequency until the patient was left in a more
or less permanent "mixed" state. Something similar
happens with epileptics if left untreated.Sooo, Topomax is a reasonable choce for cyclothymia
and by treating this condition early, you may
actually be slowing down (or stopping) the disease
process and heading things off at the pass!Dr. Hagop Akiskal has done loads of work on cyclo.
Good luck and I hope this helps!
Sean.
poster:Sean
thread:5984
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990501/msgs/5999.html