Posted by gardenergirl on September 1, 2006, at 21:32:46
In reply to Re: Tomorrow Part 1, posted by jealibeanz on September 1, 2006, at 15:49:15
I think the key words you need to use are the ones that best describe your experience of your depression. There's no point in trying to make your description match some pre-determined criteria when you are trying to find the best treatment for YOU.
Atypical depression presents and feels different than major depression as defined by the DSM criteria. Many with major depression experience insomnia, while those with atypical may experience hypersomnia, sleeping way more than necessary for physiological needs. Similary, those with major depression are more likely to have a decrease in appetite, while those with atypical might be more likely to eat more when more depressed.
The other hallmarks of aytpical depression are rejection sensitivity, emotional reactivity, and a feeling of "leaden paralysis" in the body. With emotional reactivity, the person can experience happiness or joy or some other positive emotion when the circumstances warrant, whereas the person with major depression might remain feeling dysphoric, negative, or flat.
I believe whoever coined the term "atypical" did so because they found this subtype to be different from the "usual" or "typical" major depression presentation. Whether "aytypical" holds up over time remains to be seen, because some studies are finding it occurs more frequently than they first thought.
I agree with Racer, who (I think) suggested writing down and prioritizing your symptoms/complaints from most severe or bothersome to least. Be as honest and descriptive as you can.
good luck
gg
poster:gardenergirl
thread:681286
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060901/msgs/682169.html