Posted by Racer on July 10, 2004, at 14:05:57
In reply to Noise hypersensitivity, posted by Emme on July 10, 2004, at 13:26:39
This really *is* a valuable topic, and it hits on something I've asked and asked about, without any real answer, too.
When I get into that agitated portion of depression -- which I really don't think is hypomania, by the way, although I can't really say way -- I get hypersensitive to a number of sensory inputs -- smell is the first one to hit, but also noise, and at the worst colors are too bright and the light is overwhelming. Dunno about why on any of it. But I have noticed it -- especially the smell portion, because some days I can't stand to be around myself because even with a shower scrubbing away any bodily odors, the smell of the soap (Ivory, so not a strong smell) is enough to nauseate me.
As for what is hypomania and what is agitated depression, I'm torn between "what does it matter, as long as it can be treated" and "there really oughta be an answer to that, because it would make treatment so much easier." My guess, though, is that it's a question of interpretation, and that you'll get three different diagnoses from three different clinicians on it. The closest I've ever come to an answer was about 15 years ago, when a pdoc questioned me pretty closely about my state because I went from severely depressed to very sunny and bubbly once the drugs kicked in. She asked a lot of questions, and finally told me that she thought at first that I might be hypomanic -- but my answers had convinced her that I was just finally showing what my "real" personality was. (Yeah, I laugh: me? Bright and Sunny? LoL! But you know what? Every other time I've responded to meds, I've been bright and sunny, so I guess that really is a big part of me.)
I'm sorry, Nephron, that you're suffering this way. Believe me, I've been agitated and depressed at the same time, too, and I know it is suffering.
By the way, which book did you take your name from? The original from the 1830s? Or the modern fiction series by the awesome OSC based on it? I'm always curious about these things... (And, since I *do* think OSC is awesome, it's always nice to 'meet up' with someone else who enjoys his work.)
poster:Racer
thread:363959
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20040706/msgs/364757.html