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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by angel1 on July 18, 2002, at 22:28:21
does anyone else feel incredibly "mean" when they
are not on any medications. I can tell when I am starting to regress with my depression because I get really irritated and verbally abusive to my significant other. I find myself actually enjoying the mean side of myself. I don't know if it is some funky gene my dad passed to me.....he is verbally abusive and can be cold and just downright uncaring. Is this a form of depression? or an early form of Alzheimers?
My Road rage increases dramatically as well.
Please enlighten me with any info. Thank You.
Posted by tabitha on July 19, 2002, at 1:06:48
In reply to I am verbally abusive without meds. HELP, posted by angel1 on July 18, 2002, at 22:28:21
Hi angel1,
Rage and irritablity can be symptoms of bipolar disorder, in the hypomanic phase. Sometimes instead of feeling euphoric, the extra energy can take the form of anger and irritation-- I think it's called dysphoric hypomania. It makes sense that your dad might have had the same thing, since mood disorders are thought to have a genetic component. Maybe you could have your doctor evaluate you for possible bipolar? There are probably other possibilities as well-- bipolar is just the one I'm familiar with.
Posted by jsarirose on July 20, 2002, at 0:10:32
In reply to Re: I am verbally abusive without meds. HELP, posted by tabitha on July 19, 2002, at 1:06:48
> Hi angel1,
>
> Rage and irritablity can be symptoms of bipolar disorder, in the hypomanic phase. Sometimes instead of feeling euphoric, the extra energy can take the form of anger and irritation-- I think it's called dysphoric hypomania. It makes sense that your dad might have had the same thing, since mood disorders are thought to have a genetic component. Maybe you could have your doctor evaluate you for possible bipolar? There are probably other possibilities as well-- bipolar is just the one I'm familiar with.It's also possible you have BPD (Border-line Personality Disorder). It sounds scary, but I have a friend with it, among other diagnoses. All diagnoses do is help (sometimes) to narrow which meds might work best for you. At times she is incredibly angry and abusive and there is no "logic" involved. Her meds seem to greatly help. She is also bi-polar.
-Jessica
Posted by MomO3 on July 20, 2002, at 11:01:27
In reply to I am verbally abusive without meds. HELP, posted by angel1 on July 18, 2002, at 22:28:21
I'm there with ya - with or without meds... It really sucks for me not to have any *control* over the things that come out of my mouth. The other day I told my husband that I hated him and my children and I stormed out of the house to leave, and then I broke down sobbing when I realized I didn't have my car keys and would have to go back in the house to get them.
I didn't end up going anywhere but the garage. I don't hate my hubby or my kids, mostly these days I just hate myself for being so hateful. I don't know why I am so angry, it's not rational - but I called the pdoc and told him NOWAY would I take anymore wellbutrin (I had been on it about 2 weeks) - he suggested tapering off - HA!.. .that's not gonna happen. So now I will finally try effexor.. this is the one I have been waiting to try... hopefully my next switch - if one is necessary, will be from neurontin to depakote.
Have you recently gotten off of meds? If so which one(s)??
Posted by Mireille on July 24, 2002, at 13:23:40
In reply to Re: I am verbally abusive without meds. HELP, posted by MomO3 on July 20, 2002, at 11:01:27
> I'm there with ya - with or without meds... It really sucks for me not to have any *control* over the things that come out of my mouth. The other day I told my husband that I hated him and my children and I stormed out of the house to leave, and then I broke down sobbing when I realized I didn't have my car keys and would have to go back in the house to get them.
>
> I didn't end up going anywhere but the garage. I don't hate my hubby or my kids, mostly these days I just hate myself for being so hateful. I don't know why I am so angry, it's not rational - but I called the pdoc and told him NOWAY would I take anymore wellbutrin (I had been on it about 2 weeks) - he suggested tapering off - HA!.. .that's not gonna happen. So now I will finally try effexor.. this is the one I have been waiting to try... hopefully my next switch - if one is necessary, will be from neurontin to depakote.
>
> Have you recently gotten off of meds? If so which one(s)??
>
>Hi guys - I am tapering off my Effexor (as I just posted a huge message about) - and anger is definitely a withdrawal symptom. I hope I'm not this angry once I'm well off Effexor! It's like I'm looking for arguments. I love it when people piss me off on the road or at work because I get to give them my mind - this is not good - I only have three weeks left at my current job, but I still have to watch my mouth at every turn so I don't get myself fired before my quit date is up!
I'm sure it's chemical, but I don't really have any answers so I wanted you to know I'm right there with ya. I've been forcing myself to exercise even though I would rather do anything than get out of bed in the a.m., just because I find it helps to alleviate the stress/anger. Even 20 minutes slow on the elliptical thingie helps.
My hipster friends all suggest yoga/meditation to focus my energy (can't focus lately either!). Exercise and listening to music do seem to help although I haven't tried meditation yet.
Good luck!
Mireille
Posted by shadows721 on November 6, 2003, at 8:43:24
In reply to Re: I am verbally abusive without meds. HELP, posted by Mireille on July 24, 2002, at 13:23:40
I have this problem as well. I feel out of control with the anger. I think that getting into a fight is a chance to conquer something that feels so out of control. I literally get on my own nerves! I just recently got on meds, so that I can live with people. Seems like everything ticks me off.
Doc put me on buspar 1st (due to my request). It raised the depression abit and then the rage under it exploded at everything and everyone. I knew that this was a major problem, because I couldn't think of living with anyone. Doc then put me on lexapro, because I refused to take Paxil. I told him I wouldn't touch that drug, due to the side effects and awful withdrawal. (I know it helps some, but look what you have to sacrifice!) Lexapro is calming the rage, but the sex drive is absolutely gone. I bet the weight thing will raise it's ugly head too. I am at my perfect weight. So, is it weight gain and no sex with hubby or will it be sex drive and not able to live with people. Hmmmm Sounds like something to just tick me off again. I am still taking the drug to help me live in society, but I feel like I am giving up a lot to do it.
Posted by SylviaP on November 6, 2003, at 16:11:47
In reply to Re: I am verbally abusive without meds. HELP, posted by shadows721 on November 6, 2003, at 8:43:24
Yes, yes yes! I have this problem too. I get irritated with everything. I have three children and the noise level (which they aren't even that bad) would just make me so angry. I've been on Effexor, Zoloft and now Lexapro. I've been taking the Lexapro for 8 months, but the temper has been rearing it's ugly head again. I feel really frustrated with the fact that if I'm not taking the meds I'm a nasty, horrible person. But if I am, I'm quite passive and easy to get along with and completely asexual. Not my preference either way. Is it something in the water?
Posted by carolee on November 7, 2003, at 8:19:47
In reply to Re: I am verbally abusive without meds. HELP » shadows721, posted by SylviaP on November 6, 2003, at 16:11:47
i started lexapro about 5wks ago, my aggravation of people seems to be gone, but definately NO sex drive or even when i push the sex issue, there is definately NO orgasm....which is VERY frustrating. i have heard people say try adding wellbutrin for the sex drive. i don't want to keep taking another drug for anothers side effect. what are we supposed to do?
Posted by LynneDa on November 7, 2003, at 14:25:03
In reply to Re: I am verbally abusive without meds. HELP, posted by carolee on November 7, 2003, at 8:19:47
I'm in the same boat with all of you. Rage and anger was out of control and for no good reason most of the time. The Lexapro 10 mg has helped - only on it a couple of weeks. But, this is my "bad" week - right before my period - and I am not so nice. Has anyone experienced monthly swings even while they are on meds?
Also, the inorgasmia is the only side effect I really have left, which of course is not good for the marriage. I am debating between waiting another month to see if it changes or discussing Wellbutrin with my p-doc when I see him on Monday. I like the smoothing out (absence of depression, rage, crying jags and anxiety) I have on Lex.
Good luck to you all!
~Lynne
Posted by SylviaP on November 7, 2003, at 14:58:51
In reply to Re: I am verbally abusive without meds. HELP, posted by LynneDa on November 7, 2003, at 14:25:03
Does anyone know why the Wellbutrin helps with the orgasm thing? My PDoc at one point prescribed a few Viagra for me to try — I'm a woman — this didn't help one bit. And yes, I have definately experienced some fluctuation in mood during various times of the month. To tell the truth, I don't mind. It's nothing debilitating, just enough to know I'm human. I was initially diagnosed with post-partum depression and that's how I started this whole cycle with the meds. At this point I realize it's probably more than just a post-partum thing. I have three kids under the age of five—all wonderful and fairly easy-going—, but I definately miss out on sleep. I often wonder if this is the entire source of the anger/verbal lashing-out problem. Anyone else think this may contribute?
Posted by LynneDa on November 7, 2003, at 15:08:11
In reply to Re: I am verbally abusive without meds. HELP » LynneDa, posted by SylviaP on November 7, 2003, at 14:58:51
The lack of sleep definitely seems to aggravate any condition! I think you can be the most peaceful, easy-going person, but when you go 5 or 6 years without consistent sleep patterns it can cause your body's natural functioning and chemical production to go a little wacky! Whether getting back on a regular sleep cycle will allow you to self-correct or if it takes meds to "jump-start" it back on track, I have often wondered.
The Wellbutrin has something to do with dopamine and/or norepinephrine uptake or production, so it doesn't dull the feeling mechanism (that's controlled by serotonin) as much as an SSRI does. There are others on this board who can tell you about it more scientifically, but that is the jist of it!
Posted by katia on November 9, 2003, at 14:58:31
In reply to Re: I am verbally abusive without meds. HELP, posted by LynneDa on November 7, 2003, at 15:08:11
Have any of you considered a bipolar II diagnosis? I don't know what you're dx's are; but BPII can look like this rage especially in response to being on antidepressants.
Posted by SylviaP on November 9, 2003, at 15:01:13
In reply to Re: I am verbally abusive without meds. HELP » LynneDa, posted by katia on November 9, 2003, at 14:58:31
Thank you for the insight — what is Bipolar II? I mean how is it different from Bipolar 1?
Posted by katia on November 9, 2003, at 15:01:19
In reply to Re: I am verbally abusive without meds. HELP » LynneDa, posted by katia on November 9, 2003, at 14:58:31
Have any of you considered a bipolar II diagnosis? I don't know what you're dx's are; but BPII can look like this rage especially in response to being on antidepressants.
Posted by katia on November 9, 2003, at 15:59:19
In reply to Re: I am verbally abusive without meds. HELP » katia, posted by SylviaP on November 9, 2003, at 15:01:13
It actually goes very frequently undiagnosed because it differs from BPI and so people write off that they are "bipolar".
You can read more about it on
http://www.psycheducation.org/ instead of me going into all the details. I've been dxed as BPII/mixed after a year of thinking I was unipolar depressed and trial and errored many ADs to no effect.
good luck.
katia
Posted by TerryS on November 10, 2003, at 14:42:27
In reply to Re: I am verbally abusive without meds. HELP » LynneDa, posted by SylviaP on November 7, 2003, at 14:58:51
Even when I had 1 kid under the age of 6 I was not myself, very stressed out, no interest in sex. Now that she doesn't wake at night and goes to bed without a problem I am getting more rest and fell like myself again. Vitamins and exercise helps.
Posted by Sebastian on November 11, 2003, at 12:07:14
In reply to I am verbally abusive without meds. HELP, posted by angel1 on July 18, 2002, at 22:28:21
I have the same problem? But wonder if its from the people who angered me after I saw my freinds death? The zyprexa at the higher dose kills all attitude. When I had cut my dose in half I went through some stages: Panic attaks, anxiety, rage, anger. Just before my docotor put the dose back up I talked of having a lot of anger inside.
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