Posted by Chris A. on June 2, 2002, at 21:13:36
In reply to rediagnosis: bipolar II, posted by bonnie on June 2, 2002, at 1:00:23
In a consult ten years ago the expert PDoc referred to an "unstable mood disorder." That's honestly the most accurate diagnosis I have ever had. We are all so different and the classifications don't say everything. The bottom line is that most anyone with a mood disorder that is unstable can benefit from a mood stabilizer. ADs are more disruptive of homeostatic mechanisms - all of those feedback loops that keep our whole system in balance. That's why, in simple terms, some of us end up a whole lot more depressed as a result of having taken an AD. Prozac started out feeling good for several months, then I became irritably hypomanic, and then crashed into a depression that has taken years to resolve. My formal dx is mixed state bipolar, which technically fits under Bipolar I. My hubby will vouch that I don't fit the definition of having had a true manic episode and that BP II is a better description. Sometimes it's a matter of technicalities. I think we need to look at the larger picture. In my prejudice, I consider mood stabilzers much safer than ADs. Hope you're able to sort this out.
Chris A.
poster:Chris A.
thread:108402
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020602/msgs/108477.html