Posted by tealady on January 13, 2006, at 20:18:54
In reply to Snap-Out of Psychotic Depression??, posted by Anne-Charlotte on January 10, 2006, at 9:38:32
> Has anyone heard of someone just snapping out of a severe depression with psychotic elements?? Presuming that it is a bio-chemical thang, how would this work?? My brother was diagnosed with severe depression about 7 months ago, refused medicinal treatment continually throughout the ordeal (and an ordeal it was, for all of us, with cutting episodes and an obsession with suicide...) with the exception of a few doses of Theralin and Stesolid, from which we felt he actually became worse, ie aggressive and hostile.... Subsequently, around two months ago, the depression developed psychotic elements, that is to say delusions, yet he continued to refuse treatment due to severe fears of prescription medication. ! As of three days ago, he is flying high. He feels subjectively great, has much energy and has been having a 'flash of brilliant work'- stating that he has not written with such insight and ease in nearly a year (he is a writer). From what I have read, this sounds like it could be a bipolar type disorder for which I believe he would need treatment. However, after nearly 8 months of attempting to convince him to be treated for his depression, I certainly can't envision his attitude to such being any more receptive, especially since he feels better than great. I am hesitant to confront him.
> Is it possible that he is in fact in remission from the depressive episode; that his mind and body have simply healed, so to speak? Maybe the illness has run it's 'due course'? I certainly hope so, and would appreciate hearing from anyone with any insights on the matter.
> Thanks,
> Anne-Charlotte
>I think I'd take a different path first.
Having thyroid receptor antibodies..stimulating and binding (TSI or TBII or TRAb?) or thyroid antibodies (TPO, perhaps TG?) can cause all the symptoms of bipolar to the same intensity as anyone gets it.
A significant no of people on a thyroid forum I was on were previously diagnosed as bipolar, some were or are still on meds for it.
However one their thyroid receptor or thyroid antibodies are treated the bipolar improves or goes away completely. In other words it was the antibodies faring on and off in intensity the caused the bipolar symptoms.As a first step, I'd check his thyroid function and all of those antibodies checked out if possible.
If he does have antibodies depending on severity, he may be able to get at least some relief with things like selenium .. which helps lower the antibodies. This is more likely to work if his selenium levels are low in range in his blood.. even if still within normal range. Others have found help with acupuncture or other methods.. but if he does have high TSI antibodies, maybe block and replace is best as it gets rid of the antibodies if kept on for long enough(years):-) OTOH, antibodies can sometimes just go away all by themselves. maybe it is something in the environment or water. Stress itself raises them.Not all docs will treat or test..so good luck if he is willing to be checked out:)
It's just something that is worth checking and ruling out first I think.
there are studies coming out which are starting to find higher antibody levels in bipolar.Hope this helps.
yeah, being someone who ha experienced swings, I think if you feel good.. enjoy it! LOL .. but he could still get his antibodies tested.
The problem is his TSH (a reasonable over measure of thyroid function in healthy humans) will still most likely be in normal range.. so most docs won't then test the antibodies. Still its worth a try :)
I only got my antibodies tested when I found out that all the female in the other branches of the family had thyroid antibodies :-)
They're have been people completely cured of their bipolar who have managed to receive good treatment for their thyroid antibodies. This is more likely with some docs in the US.
Unfortunately docs are difficult to find even if you do find the antibodies,as most don't treat for antibody reduction only for replacing or lowering thyroid hormones levels. My endo says he doesn't and the endocrinology profession doesn't aim to treat the antibodies.
Still if you do find antibodies .. its good to know what the problem is and be able to do what you can with lowering them, or possibly preventing the more severe flares.It is more common in females but its not unknown in males.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12897379&query_hl=3&itool=pubmed_docsum
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=11958781&query_hl=3&itool=pubmed_docsum
Jan
poster:tealady
thread:597527
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20051208/msgs/598834.html