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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by plannerdude on April 21, 2010, at 13:20:50
Hello!
Several years ago, when I was in college (~5/6 years), I experienced deep depression, including a lack of interest in my friends, hobbies, and my classwork. My classes suffered and I ended up spending an extra year in school to graduate. My depression was pretty bad and ultimately resulted in a physical fight with my roommate. Because of my deep depression and increasing cyclical irritability, I began seeing our campus counselor who assisted me with cognitive therapy and a gentle push out of my depression.
Ultimately, I ended up going to a psychiatrist (at the urging of my counselor and a very caring professor) to receive medications to assist with my general state of mind. Based on my deep depression and cyclical irritability/excitability, the psychiatrist prescribed me a good dose of lexapro/citalporam, coupled with lithium. On an as-needed basis, I take xanax and seroquel (for excitability and sleep-aid).
Thankfully, my condition has vastly improved and I no longer experience extended periods of depression. Ultimately, I am much more cognizant of my state of mind and have the ability to help curtail upcoming issues.
Since this time, I no longer see a therpist or the psychiatrist. I get my scripts from my family physician (whom I trust completely), but who followed the diagnosis I got many years ago from the psychiatrist.
I am now a professional who lives a relatively regular life. My issues arise on occasion--especially the irritability. My coworkers do not know anything of my diagnosis, but do understand that I have "anxiety issues" which sometimes hinder my performance. Other than these slight upticks in irritability, I feel regular and normal. I've never experienced the extreme cyclical behaviors of severe bp.
My current concern lies in my diagnosis and in my medication. Should I be re-evaluated to confirm the diagnosis? If my diagnosis changes, should I seek to modify my medication regimen? I don't want to take medications I don't need, but also do not want to risk the hazards of prolonged consumption of lithium and other psycho drugs.
I am not concerned with stigma and fully accept mental illness as a condition that needs attention and treatment. I just want to be accurately diagnosed and be on the appropriate medication.
Thanks in advance for your help and guidance.
Best,
Planner Dude
Posted by Deneb on April 21, 2010, at 16:33:38
In reply to My Story . . . and My Questions, posted by plannerdude on April 21, 2010, at 13:20:50
Hello plannerdude!
Welcome to Psycho-Babble! Congratulations on accomplishing everything you did! You're very lucky to have not had serious consequences from the depression. If you feel well and your life is in control, I would think it makes sense to see if you can go off your meds, especially since some may be dangerous long term, like the lithium. Do find a doctor to monitor you closely if you decide to wean off the meds.
Deneb
Posted by evenintherain on April 22, 2010, at 2:03:38
In reply to My Story . . . and My Questions, posted by plannerdude on April 21, 2010, at 13:20:50
Hey, thanks for sharing your story. If you don't get many responses here you may want to try the medication board, this one can be overlooked.
I may have skipped over it, but I wasn't sure what your diagnosis was? Bipolar 2?
Lithium (and other mood stabilizers) can also be used to help treat unipolar depression in combination w/anti-depressants. Or maybe it is just harder to diagnose bipolar because there is a spectrum and not everyone fits in at the same place? I think irritability is sometimes a symptom of bipolar (doesn't mean you have it, of course). Anyway, just my thoughts.Maybe you can ask your doctor about trying to wean off the Lithium if you would rather not be on it. If you do well without it, great! If, for some reason, your mood declines, you can go back on it. Hopefully you will have someone monitoring you so you will get another perspective just in case?
Posted by Dr. Bob on April 22, 2010, at 13:33:48
In reply to My Story . . . and My Questions, posted by plannerdude on April 21, 2010, at 13:20:50
> My current concern lies in my diagnosis and in my medication. Should I be re-evaluated to confirm the diagnosis? If my diagnosis changes, should I seek to modify my medication regimen? I don't want to take medications I don't need, but also do not want to risk the hazards of prolonged consumption of lithium and other psycho drugs.
Welcome! I've reposted your message on the Medication board, where you might get additional responses:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20100416/msgs/944534.html
That'll be considered a new thread, so if you'd like to be notified by email of follow-ups to it, you'll need to request that there.
Bob
This is the end of the thread.
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