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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Meltingpot on January 10, 2010, at 16:14:41
Hi,
I'm a bit confused about the different types of depression and what it is exactly that I suffer from. From what I've read there is:-
Recurrent Major Depression - where one has episodes of depression that have a beginning and an end (not me). These episodes can be melancholic, psychotic? Am I right in saying this? Melancholic depression is characterised by lack of interest in anything, psychomotor vegetation (Excuse spelling), insommnia, loss of appetite.
Bipolar Disorder - where a person cycles between depression and mania.
Atypical/Reactive depression - Where a person is responsive to good things happening. They overeat and over sleep.
Dysthymia - Which is chronic low grade depression.
I'm not quite sure where I fit in in the above. From 17 to 24 I would say I had dysthymia and anxiety which was treated successfully with antidepressants.
Now I am 43 and for the last eight years, when I don't take medication I feel constantly anxious (for no reason), apathetic, listless, uninterested in anything, lack of appetite, empty, lack of pleasure and have constant suicidal thoughts. However, I rarely cry. When I stop the medication I go back to the above and on medication life is just about bearable but I still have thoughts of suicide.
I've been told I suffer from dysthymia with double depression but for the last eight years my depression/anxiety does not seem to have got any better or worst apart from 2 years between 2003 and 2005 when Seroxat worked quite well.
Do I suffer from Dysthymia?
Also, I've been reading a lot on Deep Brain Stimulation and they only seem to be doing trials on people with major depressive disorder. Does this mean these people who are having the operation are likely to remit on their own when the depression has run it's course?
I would actually consider Deep Brain Stimulation if I thought it might help me to have a better quality of life but the thing is I don't think I would even be considered for it. Yet one day in about five years or so I can see myself taking my life if I still feel the same as I do now. Therefore, shouldn't they be trialing this out with people with less severe depression as well. From what I've been reading people with dysthymia are more likely to commit suicide than people with major depressive disorder.
Denise
Posted by floatingbridge on January 10, 2010, at 17:55:03
In reply to Types of Depression, posted by Meltingpot on January 10, 2010, at 16:14:41
Denise,
The digest you gleaned from reading was helpful to me. So, according to your post, I've developed melancholic depression after years of anxiety and dysthymia--though I can, when not in the deepest depths of a major episode, be temporarily responsive to some good events.
My absolute layperson's response is that
you have major, melancholic depression w/anxiety. This is not a dx--just based on what you wrote.What is double depression?
Sounds like your meds are just keeping you above water?
fb
Posted by janejane on January 10, 2010, at 18:06:57
In reply to Types of Depression, posted by Meltingpot on January 10, 2010, at 16:14:41
I've been diagnosed with double depression (dysthymia + major depression), and I suspect I've got some PMDD (premenstrual stuff) on top of that. That's interesting about dysthymics being more suicidal than depressives. Sort of understandable given its unrelenting nature.
Posted by Phillipa on January 10, 2010, at 19:46:10
In reply to Re: Types of Depression, posted by janejane on January 10, 2010, at 18:06:57
I have dysthymia and I'm not suicidal just sad and this empty feeling inside. And wierd anxiety. Phillipa
Posted by Meltingpot on January 11, 2010, at 3:39:14
In reply to Re: Types of Depression, posted by floatingbridge on January 10, 2010, at 17:55:03
Hi,
So are you saying that you used to have dysthymia and anxiety but now you are having major depressive episodes on top? Also, do they have a beginning and an end to them?
I'm not sure that I do suffer from melancholic depression as I don't cry with it, neither do I have psychomotor retardation. Although I experience severe anxiety, I'm fully compos mentis, have all of my faculties. I thought a major depressive episode means the person cannot even talk properly and they are extremely slowed down which is why I'm confused.
I feel listless and apathetic with my depression but I can get out of bed and have even been able to work at times although I really resent working when I'm feeling like that, well I resent actually being alive.
So what I'm saying is that when I was 35 I felt awful, really anxious, empty, suicidal, I tried a lot of different antidepressants for two years which helped a bit and then I took high dose Seroxat at age 37 which helped quite a lot and then that stopped working as well but I wasn't as bad as I had been before but then when I come off medication I feel like I did when I was 35 again. So I'm not sure what this is. So I don't see myself as having episodes of depression, I see this as being more chronic, I don't think it is just mild depression but then it is not classed as severe.
Denise
Posted by Meltingpot on January 11, 2010, at 4:10:17
In reply to Re: Types of Depression, posted by janejane on January 10, 2010, at 18:06:57
Hi Jane Jane,
How long have you had major depression on top of dysthymia and have you had an episode of it before.
Also, what are your symptoms with dysthymia alone like compared to your symptoms with major depression?
Thanks....Denise
Posted by Meltingpot on January 11, 2010, at 4:12:48
In reply to Re: Types of Depression, posted by Phillipa on January 10, 2010, at 19:46:10
Hi Phillipa,
Sorry to hear that you are still suffering, I didn't realise that you had dysthymia as you always seem quite upbeat in your posts. Is the anxiety constant?
Denise
Posted by janejane on January 11, 2010, at 4:59:48
In reply to Re: Types of Depression - JaneJane, posted by Meltingpot on January 11, 2010, at 4:10:17
I remember being sad a lot as a child so I want to say the dysthymia was always there. First depressive episode would've been in high school. Dysthymia feels like sadness, anhedonia, no motivation or reason for living. Depression feels like extreme despair on top of that.
Posted by Phillipa on January 11, 2010, at 21:44:55
In reply to Re: Types of Depression - To Phillipa, posted by Meltingpot on January 11, 2010, at 4:12:48
Denise it's strange as it doesn't feel like the panic anxiety had for years it's an inner terror of being alone and tired all the time. Love Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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