Posted by Elizabeth on November 12, 2001, at 21:35:13
In reply to Re: Atypical Depression/Mood Reactivity, posted by jzp on November 12, 2001, at 3:12:22
> A year after finding a med that worked (serzone), I am still trying to pull myself together after 2 years of severe atypical depression. One of the things I'm struggling with most is this incredible self-indulgent streak that I developed, thanks in large part to the mood reactivity issue. When I was so depressed, I felt desperate for whatever small thing would temporarily alleviate it-- I felt like I would actually *die* if I couldn't have that ice cream/book/cd/attention or whatever.
I think that this kind of compulsive behaviour -- with food, drugs, sex, whatever -- is very common in depressions that are classified as "atypical." It might even be an essential feature of this syndrome. Many people with atypical depression have described experiences and behavioral responses like yours.
I think that atypical depression can be treated successfully with antidepressants (or sometimes, psychostimulants), and psychotherapy can help you get over the emotional scars that may remain as a result of the chronic depression. The support of family and/or friends is important, too, if your life has been disrupted as a result of the depression (I think that relationships can be particularly difficult for people with chronic atypical depression because they are so sensitive to rejection).
-elizabeth
poster:Elizabeth
thread:83164
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011104/msgs/84025.html