Posted by olysi79 on January 3, 2005, at 20:36:04
In reply to Re: Dysthymia versus Bipolar type 2 » olysi79, posted by banga on January 3, 2005, at 20:18:39
Banga, you are absolutely right about this. I have gotten much more relief from adding in mood stabilizers and AP's to help with treatment. Each time Ihave a breakdown, I look at how I can do my meds differently, as well as stress management levels. Through this I've been able to fine tune things and get myself positioned to take care of myself better.
> >>I think that those with agitated depressions need to really consider adding mood stabilizers or anti-psychotics into their cocktail.
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> Yes, after years of only partial relief on antidepressants I definitely find atypical antipsychotics and mood stabilizers have something to give me. Atypicals helped with the anxiety and obsessive parts; and being on a mood stabilizer for the first time ever (Lamictal) I feel it truly acts in stabilizing my mood--no deep despair interlaced with agitation and crippling anxiety. I wish I paid more attention to the whole piture, inluding multiple people with bipolar in my family, so I could have tried other drugs earlier.
> I am hoping a combo of anticonvulsants and an antidepressant, and perhaps a stimulant, may be more helpful than an antidepressant alone. The atypicals I have tried had some side effects I didnt care for--REALLY spacey and foggy--but I know to turn to them if things get really out of control, especially the anxiety.
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poster:olysi79
thread:435630
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050103/msgs/437381.html