Posted by SLS on November 9, 2001, at 15:48:48
In reply to Re: Refractary bipolar depression To Scott !!! » SLS, posted by jazzdog on November 9, 2001, at 14:42:59
> Hi Jane.
> >
> > Have you ever tried Zyprexa?
> >
> > Just curious.
> >
> >
> > - Scott
>
>
> Hi Scott -
>
> No, other than zoloft, I've never experimented with psychotropic drugs. Though I did take benzos, and became addicted - clean and sober for ten years now. To be honest, I feel a bit guilty about being on this site, even though I've been diagnosed dysthymic, depressive, and bipolar. I know how tempting it is for me to look for all my answers in pill form.
>
> yours, Jane
Hi Jane.I don't know that you should have anything to feel guilty about. I think I would feel guilty if I didn't encourage you to pursue a biological treatment for a biological illness.
There is an interplay between brain and mind. The mind is facilitated by the brain while the brain is sculpted by the mind. The two are inextricable. If you indeed have a biological vulnerability to mood-disorders, it might be that this vulnerability allowed psychological stresses in your past to cause a breakdown in the system, although this is not always necessary. Once triggered, these abnormalities in brain function can become self-sustaining, necessitating a biological intervention to help restore the system to a more normal state. However, if psychological issues remain unresolved, the continuing stress can cause the system to breakdown again, despite continued biological treatment. This phenomenon is known as medication breakthrough. It is often productive to use both biological and psychological therapies in order to treat the illness as a whole, thereby encouraging a healthier interaction between mind and body (brain).
Substance abuse quite frequently accompanies bipolar disorder.
Hang out here for a little while. Perhaps you will find things that are relevant to your situation in life. However, it is important to understand that Psycho-Babble is not a gathering of professionals and does not represent the consensus of the medical community. Perhaps this a good thing. It is a good practice to try to validate what is said here using other sources. Speaking for myself, I've been known to be wrong.
Good luck.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:83508
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011104/msgs/83697.html