Posted by phillybob on April 2, 2001, at 14:40:39
In reply to Re: treatment resistant depression , posted by sweetmarie on April 2, 2001, at 13:52:20
> What is ADD?
Attention Deficit Disorder (usually co-morbid with Hyperactivity Disorder thus often seen in conjunction with ADHD ... Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) ... I think. You can use the search feature here or follow the links I posted and read those discussion threads.
(A non-psychology search engine that I find especially valuable is http://www.google.com/ ; by clicking on the "cached" area of what it finds in the search, you can actually see the words that you requested to be searched as highlights when scrolling through a document! very time effective)
>Also, how would you define atypical depression?
Again, following the links above'll get you to what I personally consider my symptoms to be. Really, I am not inclined to box myself in with any diagnosis. I just know what symptoms and experiences I have had and try to address it from there: periods of more severe depression broken up by just a plain old low level depression with a tendency for short sub-hypomanic episodes (growing up, naturally occurring, but now only AD med-induced). For example, AD's (Anti-Depressants) do not work (at least as monotherapy) for me. I either get a positive response for a short period while on an AD but then it "poops out" or I have a short-lived positive response upon discontinuation of the AD. Or, I have no response or a bad response to the AD.
>Also, what kind of medication is Adderal (i.e. a tranq or what)?
Adderral is a stimulant (like Ritalin and Dexadrine).
>During your `well` period, what caused it to end?
Follow the Topamax experiences thread in my last post to get a clear picture. Basically, I had to stop the drug, causing the "well" period to end. I stopped due to one major side effect (gum recession) which may have been because I was taking too high of a dose or increased it too rapidly (?).
>What is your brother`s illness?
Just good old-fashioned ADD (and a bit of family environment issues compounding the problem).
>Your psychiatrist (psycdoctor, as I think you call them) seems pretty switched on. I`m not sure about my new psychiatrist, as I haven`t actually been `under him` yet.
Our pdocs here in the states are private (i.e. they may be more profit-motivated ... success equals better word of mouth and professional respect and, hopefully, more personal satisfaction in helping clients). Some, however are just "tools" of the big pharmacology companies and/or health insurance companies. I pay real money to my pdoc (a big ouch from my wallet!).
>How do you come upon all this info - is it via the Net? I wouldn`t have a clue about neurotransmitters etc.
Just use the search engines and read, read, read. Your understanding of your situation and possible "cures" will help you talk more confidently with your psychiatrist about options. Hopefully, though, what you are being prescribed now will be what you need! P.S. I really don't know much about neurotransmitters, either. I personally don't feel the need to get that technical and just rely on a more rudimentary understanding of what classes of what drugs do what things symptomatically. Maybe, after I achieve long-term remission, I'll look into it, though.
Regards, Pbob (kind of like Pdoc, huh?)
poster:phillybob
thread:55847
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010327/msgs/58464.html