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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on December 1, 2005, at 5:49:10
Hey!
I was just wondering what people have found helpful in relieving atypical depression, and remaining symptom free, be it drugs, alternatives, therapy, exercise etc. What regimens have you found helpful?
How do you combat symptoms such as rejection sensitivity -- does this disappear when you're on the right medication/therapy/etc?
I am curious to learn more, so please share your experiences! :o)
Meri
x
Posted by gardenergirl on December 1, 2005, at 7:31:48
In reply to Best med for atypical depression???, posted by Meri-Tuuli on December 1, 2005, at 5:49:10
Hi Meri,
For me, what's worked has been a combination of Nardil and Lamictal, and 2 years of psychodynamic psychotherapy (once a week at first, then twice a week for about six months, and now back to once.)Nardil initially gave me a boost of confidence, but it didn't really last. It continues to help my depression, but my rejection sensitivity seems to respond best to therapy.
Good luck,
gg
Posted by Phillipa on December 1, 2005, at 23:02:08
In reply to Re: Best med for atypical depression??? » Meri-Tuuli, posted by gardenergirl on December 1, 2005, at 7:31:48
GG that makes sense to me. The meds allow you to be able to respond better to theraphy. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by med_empowered on December 2, 2005, at 14:18:14
In reply to Re: Best med for atypical depression??? » gardenergirl, posted by Phillipa on December 1, 2005, at 23:02:08
hey! the tough thing about atypical depression is that is...well...atypical. LOL. The MAOIs are the "gold standard" for atypical depression. Since atypical depression *may* be more common in bipolar-spectrum disorders, a mood-stabilizer could be helpful...my votes would go for lamictal, low-dose Trileptal, and Klonopin, but that's really just personal preference. I've heard of some people getting good results from Wellbutrin (which is an "atypical" antidepressant).
I think gg is a good example of how therapy AND medication can really help people manage problems, including atypical depression. Good therapy--or even thorough, consistent self-help--can be immensely helpful in overcoming psychitric problems, which I personally think of more as psychosocial problems with a biological component.
PS--I dont know where you're located, but if you're in europe, asia (anywhere that isn't the US) you might able to try Moclobemide (Aurorix, others). If the dosage is high enough, it can be comparable to the old-school MAOIs without as many of the problems. (Its apparently *really* important to get a good dose, though, otherwise you may as well be popping Tic-Tacs.)
Good luck!
Posted by Jedi on December 4, 2005, at 3:30:32
In reply to Best med for atypical depression???, posted by Meri-Tuuli on December 1, 2005, at 5:49:10
...
> I was just wondering what people have found helpful in relieving atypical depression, and remaining symptom free, be it drugs, alternatives, therapy, exercise etc. What regimens have you found helpful?
...Phenelzine, Clonazepam, & maybe a mild stimulant for residual fatigue. Then lots of exercise to counteract the weight gain & help with mood.
Jedi
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on December 5, 2005, at 6:33:41
In reply to Re: Best med for atypical depression??? » Meri-Tuuli, posted by gardenergirl on December 1, 2005, at 7:31:48
Hey there GG!
Thanks for your post. I would really really like to try therapy - I emailed a CBT person a few days ago, but I haven't heard back. Your therapy sounds interesting -- what exactly is it?
Kind regards
Meri
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on December 5, 2005, at 6:36:09
In reply to Re: Best med for atypical depression???, posted by med_empowered on December 2, 2005, at 14:18:14
Hey there!
I am in the UK! I'm not sure I would be able to try Moclobemide -- pdocs here (I'm led to believe) don't usually prescibe MAOIs.
Kind regards
Meri> PS--I dont know where you're located, but if you're in europe, asia (anywhere that isn't the US) you might able to try Moclobemide (Aurorix, others). If the dosage is high enough, it can be comparable to the old-school MAOIs without as many of the problems. (Its apparently *really* important to get a good dose, though, otherwise you may as well be popping Tic-Tacs.)
>
> Good luck!
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on December 5, 2005, at 6:42:25
In reply to Re: Best med for atypical depression??? » Meri-Tuuli, posted by Jedi on December 4, 2005, at 3:30:32
Hey Jedi!
Thanks for the post! I can't try a MAOI because, I'm in the UK, I haven't seen a pdoc yet, and they don't usually prescribe MAOIs apparently. Great. So the best med for my condition I can't get here or I can, they just won't prescribe it. Same goes for stimulants - they won't prescribe them to adults, only kids with ADD/ADHD. What they do when the ADDers grow up, I don't know. Actually I saw an article on pubmed about adult ADD in the UK and how it is vastly underreconised. I guess the UK health system sucks. On the upside it is free!
I thinking of trying prozac + buspar.
> Phenelzine, Clonazepam, & maybe a mild stimulant for residual fatigue. Then lots of exercise to counteract the weight gain & help with mood.
> Jedi
>
Posted by Jedi on December 5, 2005, at 10:54:26
In reply to Re: Best med for atypical depression??? » Jedi, posted by Meri-Tuuli on December 5, 2005, at 6:42:25
> Hey Jedi!
>
> Thanks for the post! I can't try a MAOI because, I'm in the UK, I haven't seen a pdoc yet, and they don't usually prescribe MAOIs apparently. Great. ...Meri,
Go to Google Advanced Search. On the first line type Nardil UK 2005. In the domain put dr-bob.org. I think I got about 150 hits(some duplicates of course) about people discussing availability of Nardil and MAOIs in the UK. In a post from March of 2005, Ed_UK said he had dispensed it from the pharmacy, so some doctors are using it. Another post said they called two PDOCs and wrote to ten before they found two that were willing to rx a MAOI.I believe the generic phenelzine sold in UK is from Link Pharmaceuticals. If you are treatment resistant and nothing else works, this will most likely work.
Good Luck,
Jedi
Posted by gardenergirl on December 5, 2005, at 13:32:53
In reply to Re: Best med for atypical depression???, posted by Meri-Tuuli on December 5, 2005, at 6:33:41
Hi Meri,
I replied on the psychology board. Here is a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20051130/msgs/585737.htmlgg
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on December 5, 2005, at 15:56:43
In reply to Re: Best med for atypical depression??? » Meri-Tuuli, posted by Jedi on December 5, 2005, at 10:54:26
Hello again Jedi!
I searched the archives....you're right, I should try and be persistant with the pdocs etc. It was quite funny - there was even a post from you recommending the same thing as you just have to to me - sorry for sounding like a broken record!
In truth I am scared about taking something so potentially fatal - and I am scared of side effects! I think I would be really scared about the dietary requirements and have so much aniexty about that it would be counter productive somehow. I get panic attacks if I take two aspirin in one day! I also seem to be particulary side effect sensitive.
I also seem to convince myself that I am not THAT bad, but in truth I guess I am. I'm great at sweeping things under the carpet.
Kind regards
Meri
> > Hey Jedi!
> >
> > Thanks for the post! I can't try a MAOI because, I'm in the UK, I haven't seen a pdoc yet, and they don't usually prescribe MAOIs apparently. Great. ...
>
> Meri,
> Go to Google Advanced Search. On the first line type Nardil UK 2005. In the domain put dr-bob.org. I think I got about 150 hits(some duplicates of course) about people discussing availability of Nardil and MAOIs in the UK. In a post from March of 2005, Ed_UK said he had dispensed it from the pharmacy, so some doctors are using it. Another post said they called two PDOCs and wrote to ten before they found two that were willing to rx a MAOI.
>
> I believe the generic phenelzine sold in UK is from Link Pharmaceuticals. If you are treatment resistant and nothing else works, this will most likely work.
> Good Luck,
> Jedi
>
This is the end of the thread.
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