Posted by Chris A. on April 26, 2002, at 0:05:01
In reply to Is Dysphoria an Actual Diagnosis? , posted by Leighwit on April 25, 2002, at 12:18:02
Wellbutrin caused me to be extremely irritable in two different trials. I am diagnosed mixed bipolar now, and Lamictal is my drug of choice. It is an anticonvulsant (neuromodulator) unlike the other ones. It has mood stabilizing and antidepressant effects. I have not experienced weight gain and it doesn't make me foggy like the others. When I hear "irritabilty" I think 1)side effects of Wellbutrin or 2) mixed bipolar, which is by definition dysphoric. Mania is defined as elevated or -irritable- mood. Why is the irritability so often ignored? It's a core part of the diagnosis, which leads to effective treatment. Dr. Susan McElroy, a mood disorders researcher, has found that approximately 50% of men and 75%-%80 of women and adolescents experience mania or hypomania as dysphoric rather than euphoric. It's not a comfortable feeling, so I hope you find some relief soon. Some day soon I hope more docs will get with the program and realize that ADs can make some of these symptoms much worse. The only AD my pDoc is comfortable prescribing for me now (only when I'm steadily on the bottom) are a miniscule amount of selegiline and the use of my light box. We titrate these carefully according to moods. My two cents worth.
Chris A.
poster:Chris A.
thread:104108
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020425/msgs/104176.html