Posted by dove on September 29, 1999, at 10:25:14
In reply to Re: Manic Depression and ADD. , posted by Janice on September 28, 1999, at 22:51:29
Hi Janice.
I have had the adhd since I was born, according to my Mom, and the depression lows hit me hard in about 3rd grade and only worsened from there. As a teen-ager I exhibited my first mania's and I really don't know if these were caused by my hyper easily over-stimulated adhd or just the beginning of extreme mood-cycles known as bipolar. I do know that many generations in my family have the exact same combination of illnesses and it appears that you either have it all or nothing. So, there must be a connection, what comes first I really don't know. I am trying to help my daughter with this same inherited combo and it seems that the only thing that really helps with the adhd is the stimulants. The buspar has helped with the anxiety but there is this fear that it may throw her into mania at any given time just like the other AD's did.I am not on a mood-stabilizer right now and previously, when I took Tegretol, it was prescribed for migraines accompanied by fainting. The Tegretol made me into a zombie, I was in my second year of college and I was completely unable to function on any level. The adderall, in conjunction with the amitriptyline, has relieved a considerable amount of my depression. I can get all the kids going in the morning without breaking down in tears on the floor and scaring them. I have extreme difficulties with organization and I always have 50 things running thru my head at once, it takes an incredible amount of energy to have everyone ready in the morning.. I have little things I do to alleviate the pressures such as, putting all the kids clothes out the night before, having the table set the night before, everything that is needed for the following day has to be readied the night before. See a pattern :-)
I absolutely must get sleep. One night without sends me rapidly escalating into madness. If I haven't fallen asleep by 11:30pm I take melatonin and there are no exceptions. My teen years were completely deranged with one of the greatest precipitating factors being nights without sleep.
I haven't been taking the prozac yet, I am afraid of going into mania so I am taking my nightly small dose of amitriptyline and the morning/noon doses of adderall for 2 weeks. After which I will begin the prozac and hopefully not fall apart. My manias are wicked things, I affect my whole family with my out-of-hand behavior, even the mild manias cause so much distress to them,(flying to mexico with 1 days notice, shaving my head and piercing various locations on my face) maybe this doesn't seem consequential but my family feels like they're living with a freak.
Well, I've rambled on at considerable length. Regarding bipolar and the meds to treat it, I am newly initiated and am truly appreciative for any shared knowledge, perceptions and/or experiences.
dove~
poster:dove
thread:11780
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19991001/msgs/12249.html