Posted by jdawg on October 5, 2004, at 17:15:59
Hello,
I am new to this group and wanted to share my story. I'd be interested to hear if anyone has had similar experiences and may have advice on treatment and ways to deal with it all.
I've been suffering from a mood disorder for about 5 years now; I'm not sure exactly what it is just that it's an affective disorder. I was initially diagnosed with major depression with a psychotic episode and was treated w. anti-psychotics (risperdal or olanzapine) and anti-depressants (Celexa, venlafaxine, or Wellbutrin). Approximately 3 years after the initial episode, I had a relapse that was characterized (similarly to the first episode) by decreased sleep, irritability, paranoia, and anger. That was also followed by a depression, which slowly improved over the past 1.5 years.
Now, I find myself rapidly cycling from hypomania (characterized by decreased sleep, increased goal-directed behavior, increased productivity at work, increased sexuality) to deep depression (with lack of motivation, fatigue, headaches, thoughts of death, worthlessness and guilt). My cycles are about 7-10 days of feeling good/hypomanic followed by 3-5 days of depression.
Has anyone had similar experiences? If so, were you successful in dampening the cycles? I'm currently taking risperdal, Lamictal, Effexor XR, Wellbutrin, and Cytomel. I try not to get too high by occasionally taking lorazepam or drinking a glass of wine to fall asleep.
I'd appreciate any advice or thoughts on this.
Thank you.
poster:jdawg
thread:399302
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041002/msgs/399302.html