Posted by ChrisK on July 12, 2001, at 5:46:45
In reply to What's difference betw mood stab. and anti-psychot, posted by Janelle on July 11, 2001, at 20:36:04
Janelle,
I read both of your questions from yesterday and while I can't tell you how they work I can tell you the symptoms I have been relieved of while taking these meds.
I have major depression (no BP) and was given Depakote and Neurontin at differsnt times. They made me feel very flat - emotionless. They really didn't help with the depression which has since been brought under control with Nortriptyline. They REALLY are mood stabilzers. They will stop the ups and downs for most people. My problem was that I didn't have the Ups to stabilize.
Now for Antipsychotics- I took Zyprexa for a long time and now take Geodon. They have been great for the racing, ruminating thoughts that plagued me for years. They tend to give your brain a little rest and clear up your thinking patterns. For me they have been a saviour. Ionly wish that more people could get the same response. I went from very suicidal to the point where that thought only comes up a couple of times a month instead of a couple of times an hour.
I try to look at my meds in terms of how they affect my symptoms rather than what they are called. If something is going to help you with racing thoughts, who cares if it's called an antipsychotic or a mood stabilzer if it helps relieve the symptom that's causing the problem in the first place?
My current med regime is working for me and includes an AD, AP and a med that is primarily used for Parkinson's Disease but it works for me. Please try not to get hung up on categories and instead listen to how your body responds to your different meds.
Hope this helps a little,
Chris
poster:ChrisK
thread:69797
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010708/msgs/69820.html