Posted by HappyGirl on August 21, 2004, at 9:44:41
In reply to What exactly are racing thoughts? Depakote?, posted by D minor on August 20, 2004, at 19:30:44
Hi:
In answer to your question following, below:>>>> I was diagnosed with Major Depression last year. Now my new pdoc thinks that episode may have been a mixed episode and that I, therefore, may be Bipolar. He wants to put me on Depakote, which I am terrified of. Does it really make you loose your hair? <<<<
---- It's VERY common Bipolar started to 'surface' after Major Depression, due to anti-depressant, such as Zoloft and other SSRIs help to bring up 'Bipolar.' For explanation on this, ... is you basically 'had' Bipolar, however Depression and Bipolar has some similarities, particualy as to 'depressive' episodes. However, in Bipolar you have not only 'sad/depression' but also 'manic.' In regard to 'manic,' in the beginning of dxed with Bipolar, there is very 'slight' high feelings. Then, it must be quite hard for even expert pdocs. to precisely pinpoint whether 'high' is to be 'manic.' Because, normally we have both 'happy' and 'bad' feelings. However, in Bipolar, there is pronoucingly 'ups' and 'downs' that 'normal,' non-Bipolar folks do NOT have.
Next question, 'Depakote,' .... this med. is primarily used for 'Epilepsy,' however it works VERY well for newly dxed Bipolar, such as you case. The main reason why your pdoc. wants to put you on Depakote is, in my guess, ... two reasons, ... one for whether you REALLY have Bipolar. If you have one, your moods WILL gradually improve with time, within a week or so. Another for 'working well' for majority of freshly dxed Bipolar folks.
In regard to 'hair loss,' ... it all depends on person to person. In my case, I did NOT notice any loss, ... but then I have quite 'thick' wavy hair. Just, in my case, I needed to drink a lot of water from taking the 750 mg. - 1000 mg. per day. ----
>>> What is the official definition of racing thoughts? I've had repetative thoughts and horrible thoughts that kept me up at night. But mainly I had this feeling like my brain was screaming or was on fire. Does that sound crazy? It was like there wasn't enough stimulation for my brain, like the world was moving to slow and I just wanted to bang my head on something. <<<---- Frankly and truthly, I can NOT answer your question above, .... simply I never had those experience. However, racing thoughts might have some relation to 'rapid cycler' that means 'depression' and 'manic' comes and goes alternatively within hours, days or even monthly basis. It's very discomfort to endure 'those' cycling, in my expereince.
Besides the above-mentioned, there are different form of 'bipolar' that varies person to person. Then, your pdoc. could dx propertly your problem, Bipolar or other form of mental illness. My best advice on this is you need to follow your pdoc.'s instruction carefully and talk every moods you have. Sometimes, the 'mood' chart/dairy is more helpful than talking, because at the beginning it's quite frightening experience going all through.
H.G.
poster:HappyGirl
thread:380132
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040821/msgs/380338.html