Posted by finelinebob on August 17, 2006, at 3:23:26
In reply to Calling all amateur psychiatrists, posted by Jimmyboy on August 14, 2006, at 21:08:42
My current PDoc says just about anyone can be described as being on the "Bipolar Spectrum", but there is one emerging category that's not inthe DSM-IV that my previous PDoc thought more appropriate than my dx at the time (MDD, GAD). When I looked it up on the web, it sure sounded like me.
Of course, I can't find any references I had before because discussing the "Bipolar Spectrum" seems to be the current rage. Things that stuck out in my mind were:
-- combination of major depression and anxiety, not mania
-- at least one manic epsiode trigger by an SSRI, most likely the first use of it
-- further treatment resistance to SSRIs after the manic episode.
-- good response to TCAs
-- good response to Atypical Antipsychotics as mood stabilizersI wish I could remember more. SSRIs are toxic to me, other than that manic episode my first trial on zoloft gave me. Nortriptylene (TCA) helps considerably better than any SSRI, with virtually no side effects for me. Adding Zyprexa (atypical antipsychotic) was the best response I've every had, other than have my triglycerides jump to 900+. Abilify didn't work as well. I've had to settle with lamictal, which is working well.
poster:finelinebob
thread:676486
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060810/msgs/677338.html