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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by fi on April 13, 2003, at 12:49:11
Busy spooking myself about this, having just found a mention to it. Fits what I’ve been having since late Jan (monthly or more frequent episodes lasting between 2 days and 2 weeks, unrelated to menstrual cycle).The idea that this might carry on happening *every* month, and that its apparently hard to treat, is alarming me, as you may imagine! Mainly the acute regular suffering, but also if/how I could carry on working in any job…. Yes, I know that could still be part of the current episode's current anxiety (thank god now much milder and more manageable), but there's still a real worry there.
Cant find much about it, tho.
Anyone any info on coping with it?
Fi
Posted by lostsailor on April 13, 2003, at 15:58:26
In reply to “Recurrent brief depressive disorder” ?, posted by fi on April 13, 2003, at 12:49:11
At the risk of sounding crass: Are you a female that can make an observation of the "timing" of these episodes and their relationship (if any) to your menstrual cycle. There are many on-going studies of a syndrome that is related to menstruation other then the typical male/ female responses of “being “on the ***” or “that time of the month,” respectively and respectfully.
Just a guess but if so, some docs use regular ssri's to treat this period (no pun intended…but even I laughed after I typed and thought of Dr Bob; errr I mean Freud) if warranted and thanks to the folks at Pfizer, coincidently, right after Prozac lost became available as a generic preparation, they "invented" the once- a week Prozac, which my pdoc says is rather useless as most, esp. during an episode of depression will inevitably forget to take it on time and a medication called Sarafin or something that sounds like that, which doc said "Prozac by any other name..." I know the name of the med and probably the “disorder” this could be found at web.md or a similar site.
gl and peace,
~tony
Posted by fi on April 13, 2003, at 16:15:05
In reply to Re: “Recurrent brief depressive disorder” fi, posted by lostsailor on April 13, 2003, at 15:58:26
Thanks for the thought- it only occured to me a couple of days ago that this would be worth checking. There isnt a link for me, but I know a lot of women have a miserable time one way and another with the hormones.
Fi
Posted by Alara on April 17, 2003, at 8:10:13
In reply to “Recurrent brief depressive disorder” ?, posted by fi on April 13, 2003, at 12:49:11
>
> Busy spooking myself about this, having just found a mention to it. Fits what I’ve been having since late Jan (monthly or more frequent episodes lasting between 2 days and 2 weeks, unrelated to menstrual cycle).
>
> The idea that this might carry on happening *every* month, and that its apparently hard to treat, is alarming me, as you may imagine! Mainly the acute regular suffering, but also if/how I could carry on working in any job…. Yes, I know that could still be part of the current episode's current anxiety (thank god now much milder and more manageable), but there's still a real worry there.
>
> Cant find much about it, tho.
>
> Anyone any info on coping with it?
>
> FiFi, I relate totally.
Here are a couple of questions to ask yourself:
1. Did you start or stop any meds (including the pill) in the months leading up to late Jan?
2. Have you had any noticeable medical issues (eg; mono, diabetes, pregnancy) in the last couple of years?
3. How old are you?
4. Have you had any significant changes relating to your job or home life during this period?
Fi, I also have a tendency to get depressed for only days at a time. The cause of this phenomenon has been hard to pinpoint but I have noticed that it happens less during the 10 days before my period when I take vitamin B.Sometimes I get depressed for shorter periods (2 to 3 days at a time) but these shorter episodes of depression seem to be totally unrelated to my cycle. Usually they are due to unbelievable stress at work and/or the occasional drinking binges that I indulge in to relieve work/relationship stress.
Sometimes I get depressed when it rains for more than two days in a row...(I sometimes wonder if this is some form of SAD but firmly believe that labelling myself won't rectify the problem.)
Fi, it really helps to remind yourself that your state of mind is only temporary. By telling yourself that you're just human and feeling `low, you can alleviate a lot of the anxiety that is contributing to your depressed state. (It has taken me several years to reach this point but I
now have the confidence to know that I will be OK next week, that I have the strength and the resilience to get through anything.)Keep a diary of everything - your meds, your diet and exercise habits, daily upheavals, stress levels, menstrual cycle, and most importantly your moods. Keep searching for answers but don't blow it out of proportion. Normal human beings do have ups and downs, even if your `downs' are upsetting your life more than you would like.
I know that it's easier said than done. I still have my ` mini epidsodes'. (The people on this board have witnessed that.) Still, you can gain better control of your emotional life if you persist. Trust me. :-)
By the way, I take Celexa (an SSRI) and this has helped me considerably.Best wishes,
Alara
Posted by fi on April 17, 2003, at 12:23:40
In reply to Re: “Recurrent brief depressive disorder” ? » fi, posted by Alara on April 17, 2003, at 8:10:13
This is the end of the thread.
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