Posted by JGalt on October 26, 2001, at 11:18:45
In reply to Re: Looking for some advice before I see the psydoc » JGalt, posted by JohnX2 on October 25, 2001, at 12:40:27
Interesting, so right now you're basically are same I am diagnosis wise, except I've never had bipolar symptoms. Obviously you've been through an incredible amount more than me, it is amazing how difficult it is to find the right combinations. I imagine with your education and research on antidepressant combo's you're in a better boat than you might otherwise be.
Overachievement through college years, we have that in common, though personally I view that as an asset to my personality (which reminds me, I know it is not the most accurate, but did you ever get into Meyer-Briggs typecasting?). Of course, if it was leading you to abuse drugs, that's not a positive thing, though I did not think that caffeine was capable of damaging the dopamine system? Was there something else you don't mind mentioning that was?
We also both have the family history thing going for both of us. My mom is the only one who was ever diagnosed with depression, but panic/anxiety attacks seem common on my dad's side, and we believe many on both sides do have depression but refuse to seek help.
You mention overdisclose of personal issues during your manic state. I have that as well, though without the manic state. The only information I have on why that may be (I used to be extremely shy) for me is one of my friends from another board in pharmacy school said they were taught that long term ephedrine use wrecks havoc (long lasting) with the GABA system. I don't claim to understand the GABA system very well, but he suggested that people with long term ephedrine use may suffer (in some cases benefit depending upon the extremity) from lack of some (perhaps mostly verbal) inhibitions. I have to wonder, if GHB does affect the gaba system significantly (as opposed to the other theory that it only effects dopamine release), then why am I still the same way. I don't know, it doesn't particularly bother me, and my friends repeatedly telling me that I disclose way too much, especially if on ghb (1,4 butanediol, GHB is illegal and I don't use it), has made me fake a bit of modesty, but still probably more disclosure than average, particularly in the area of drug use (if someone mentions drugs I'm willing to talk for hours about my experiences a theories, its fun on this board, but dangerous and perhaps damaging to ones image by those holding antidrug views in real life).
Hopefully no one minds the fact that my sentences run on. I write papers much better, but am obviously only writing off the top of my head here, and include the full train of thought often without interruption.
Best Regards,
JGalt
poster:JGalt
thread:81980
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011025/msgs/82339.html