Posted by B2chica on May 25, 2006, at 12:46:34
In reply to Re: questions about bipolar... B2Chica, posted by Dr. D on May 25, 2006, at 11:56:42
whether the depression be from heredity or from external stressors either way it can be a terrible way to live. and i'm hoping you find a reprieve.
if doctors know that BP is in your family they are much more likely looking for cues that what you have is BP this can be good and bad. on the good side, they could much more quickly catch it if you are showing symptoms and get meds to help ASAP, on the down side, they could very easily misinterpret normal energy for hypomania. i think this is where it's REALLY important for you to have a pdoc that really knows his stuff.
i think what yo'uve mentioned about him would certainly make me wonder if he's infact the best for the job. go with your instincts, trust that.>>You're quite right. I really enjoyed that time and would dearly like to be 'back' there again. I was productive, thoughts were fast but not impossible, I had a lot of ideas and impulses but they were manageable. Memory was nearly flawless, libido was good, I didn't gripe myself for past mistakes (as happens obsessively during depression), I could go up to and talk to any girl and actually have something to say, I was amusing to myself and my friends. Who wouldn't want to be like that for life? I also remember thinking back then that if I stayed that way for life, life would not only be bearable but actually quite fun.
this sounds wonderful. i've had similar hypomania but if i have it like that it lasts about 2 days before it turns horrible. i think i'd want to go back to that too!
but again...i wasn't in your shoes so this could have been just a really good break from substance and depression.
did you say you have been on several types of AD? can't remember.anyway, good call on waiting to tell pdoc. if you do want to tell him, tell him the way you described it to me the second time. don't say 'i want to stay hypomanic' this will send him into the (oh no he's just looking for drugs) routine. tell him that when you felt this way, you were energetic, had focus, determination, self-esteem and enjoyed life, that you want to be able to do that again....this was much better and he won't peg you as drug seeking.
i think we all here like to look before we leap...i strongly suggest maybe reposting on the meds boards...they are great for assistance of this kind.
and don't let a bad experience steer you away from meds. some drugs will infact make you feel zombie like, others will let you feel normal again. funny thing is we all react differently. most recently one of the drugs i was on was zyprexa. now i've heard many people saying they couldn't stand being on it because it was so sedating. but for me it was the only AP that didn't fog my thinking and stopped my ruminations, helped with depression, helped with anxiety, helped me sleep And helped with my sometimes somewhat psychotic depression.
keep in mind when you go to the meds boards, most of the people there are there because they are having difficulty finding a drug that works. you will get 10 responses on how one drug works. some hate it, some love it... but i guess i like that. i like to see all the possibilities then choose from that. and you have a great uebergoal.
also, i think there is CERTAINLY something to be said about proper balance, food exercise and such. i know exercise has helped both my depression and my sleep patterns.>>thanks for your time!
you bet....HTH
b2c
poster:B2chica
thread:648326
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20060517/msgs/648403.html