Posted by Spector on January 4, 2005, at 23:17:11
Hi. A week or two ago I asked a question about the length of time that I have been in a depression. I have another related question.
I am in an extemely severe depression with crippling anxiety that has now lasted for over two years. Unable to care for myself, I had to leave my home, my dear husband and my career and life as a painter in order to move back into my mom's house for full time care. That was November 2002 and I am still here.
I have a history of manic depression from 1985-88. I then had 13-1/2 years of complete remission. In the Spring of 2002 I went to a new psychiatrist just for monitoring. She felt I had mild symptoms of ADD and prescribed Adderall (a combination of 4 amphetamines). I immediately went into the beginning of a hypomanic state which lasted 5 months (despite discontinuing the drug after 2 months) which was followed by the ongoing nearly incapacitating depression I described above.
I have tried many many treatments including 11 drugs, ECT, CBT and many more alternative treatments. (Am currently working with with an experienced homeopath and praying that she will be able to help me.)
I was just as drug treatment resistant when I was younger, but I was able to emerge from those depressions in 4 to 5 months. I realize that patterns can change over time, but I feel certain, without any proof, that the reason that my body has not been able to yet correct itself this time is because this was a drug-induced episode.
I am wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience. Has anyone found that a drug induced depression or bipolar relapse has been much more stubborn that a "natural" one?
I realize that my situation is different and maybe more unusual than someone who, say, was in a depression and was given an anti-depressant that triggered mania, and that the fact than no drugs seem to be able to help me complicates things. But I am still wondering if anyone has had anything similar happen to them or anyone they know.
Thanks,
Nomi
poster:Spector
thread:437949
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050103/msgs/437949.html