Posted by sjb on November 20, 2001, at 14:19:34
In reply to depression subtypes and med responses » jay, posted by Elizabeth on November 19, 2001, at 17:36:44
> I think you're getting too bogged down in classifications. Also, a disorder is much more than any one particular symptom of it. MAOIs can make some atypical depression symptoms (especially overeating) worse, but they are effective for the underlying conditions. All drugs have side effects; the side effects are not what treats the depression.
Elizabeth,
I sure appreciate all of your responses and will be them to my PDoc tomorrow. The biggest problem, for me, is the overeating. I have all the other classic symptons of atypical, but wonder sometimes what comes first, the chicken or the egg? Do I get depressed, withdraw socially, cry too much, become overly sensitive because I just overate or do I overeat because of the depression? Anyway, Parnate did not help my underlying depression other than, perhaps, the crying spells. I wasn't on it for very long though. My husband is very concerned about me trying it again as his recollection was that it was horrible. I have to respect this, as my memory is not what it once was, and I've been on so many things I can't always recall how things really were.
I seemed to crave even more sweets on Parnate, so I became more depressed on it and therefore, less tolerant of the side effects. I will take the insomnia, sexual side effects, etc if I could get some help with compulsive overeating on sweets/carbs. Do you know of other MAOI's that don't tend to have this side effect? From most of the posts I've read, Nardil seems to be worse for most folks than Parnate, as far as food cravings, weight gain is concerned.
I also may need to accept that something other than a pill can help my compulsion. I've tried OA, cognitive therapy, group therapy, etc but that hasn't helped as yet. Maybe I didn't stick with it long enough.
Thanks.
poster:sjb
thread:84318
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011113/msgs/84777.html