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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jonh kimble on December 4, 2002, at 7:33:05
Lets see, very hard time concentrating, overly pessimistic( not based on what I think, but what my brain thinks) over sleep at times then have insomnia, I find it insanely hard to get out of bed, do a bit of homework, do a bit of cleaning, poor evergy levels, very poor appetite... and then of course very powerful social anxiety, centered on rejection sensitivity and slow mind when someone talks to me. I really appreciate the help. OH, and I have tried alot of ad's without response. Thankx Tom
Posted by JonW on December 4, 2002, at 9:16:07
In reply to Is this atypical depression?, posted by jonh kimble on December 4, 2002, at 7:33:05
> Lets see, very hard time concentrating, overly pessimistic( not based on what I think, but what my brain thinks) over sleep at times then have insomnia, I find it insanely hard to get out of bed, do a bit of homework, do a bit of cleaning, poor evergy levels, very poor appetite... and then of course very powerful social anxiety, centered on rejection sensitivity and slow mind when someone talks to me. I really appreciate the help. OH, and I have tried alot of ad's without response. Thankx Tom
Hi Tom,
It could be. Atypical depression is very common in people with social anxiety disorder. I suppose the strongest indicator would be mood reactivity. Would you consider yourself a very sensitive person? Do good things give your mood a lift and bad things depress you? Given your other symptoms, mood reactivity would probably seal the deal. But I'm no pdoc, of course.
Jon
Posted by sjb on December 4, 2002, at 9:31:02
In reply to Is this atypical depression?, posted by jonh kimble on December 4, 2002, at 7:33:05
I would've said yes, until I read, "the poor appetite." I associate atypical with overeating, esp. carbs, baked goods etc. Also, excessive crying is usually in the package.
Sounds like "plain ole major depression" to me.
Posted by viengsone on December 4, 2002, at 11:36:41
In reply to Is this atypical depression?, posted by jonh kimble on December 4, 2002, at 7:33:05
> Lets see, very hard time concentrating, overly pessimistic( not based on what I think, but what my brain thinks) over sleep at times then have insomnia, I find it insanely hard to get out of bed, do a bit of homework, do a bit of cleaning, poor evergy levels, very poor appetite... and then of course very powerful social anxiety, centered on rejection sensitivity and slow mind when someone talks to me. I really appreciate the help. OH, and I have tried alot of ad's without response. Thankx Tom
<<It sounds like what I've been through. I believe it's just your personality. I posted <withdrawal> You should check it out. Just as long as you don't have suicidal tendencies, I don't think you should go on anti-depressants. Maybe just plain old counseling or just talking to a friend would make you feel better. I have gone through all of that and I don't believe the drugs have helped at all. Coming off of them is another story. This is based on my life only, I know, and I'm sure some people anti-depressants have helped them greatly, but I believe the choice is totally up to you.
Posted by Alara on December 4, 2002, at 23:02:03
In reply to Re: Is this atypical depression?, posted by viengsone on December 4, 2002, at 11:36:41
>
> <<It sounds like what I've been through. I believe it's just your personality. I posted <withdrawal> You should check it out. Just as long as you don't have suicidal tendencies, I don't think you should go on anti-depressants. Maybe just plain old counseling or just talking to a friend would make you feel better. I have gone through all of that and I don't believe the drugs have helped at all. Coming off of them is another story. This is based on my life only, I know, and I'm sure some people anti-depressants have helped them greatly, but I believe the choice is totally up to you.
>Tom, as someone who has also experienced these symptoms, I agree with viensome. A chemical antidepressant is probably not necessary unless you are feeling suicidal. I do recommend St Johns Wort. I noticed a small significant improvement within 2-3 weeks and, after 6 weeks, my sleeping patterns started to normalise. I am now able to function normally in the workplace and have my energy and motivation back. I am feeling less sensitive to rejection and am less prone to anxiety. The wonderful thing about St Johns Wort is that it doesn't take away your true self. (On antidepressants, I was a different person. It was almost as though I had lost my soul.)
I do take a Xanax on those nights that I find it hard to sleep. This enables me to get the good night's rest that I need in order to stay on top of things.
Tom, you might also like to consider exercise. Although I have not been exercising regularly of late, exercise has helped me tremendously in the past. In my case it usually takes around 10 days of walking briskly for 45-50 minutes for the effect to kick in.
Good luck and let us know how you go!Alara
Posted by jonh kimble on December 6, 2002, at 12:58:17
In reply to Re: Is this atypical depression?, posted by sjb on December 4, 2002, at 9:31:02
Thanks for the posts everyone. Jon I always appreciate your help. Yes, mood sensitivity is big with me. Like if I feel that I wasnt kind enough to someone in some tiny little way, I feel like the biggest scum on earth.
And to Viengsome and Alara, thanks for the good intention,and I leave open the possiblilty that you are entirely right with me, but I personally have my doubts. Do you really think that this pessimism, depression... could be helped by counselling? I just dont see how my having to re-read a sentence 5 times could be helped, and just to tell you, I really get no enjoyment out of life unless I am not sober. By the way Alcohol completly re-animates my life and helps every aspect of every problem.
My hypothesis is dopamine dysfunction, and ssri's (st. john's wort too)and other ad's have bypassed the chemical problem. But please let me know if you think I am creating a self fullfilling prophecy or anything like that, because I know Ive been wrong before. Thanks so much, it helps alot. Tom
Posted by JonW on December 6, 2002, at 17:26:29
In reply to Re: Is this atypical depression?, posted by jonh kimble on December 6, 2002, at 12:58:17
> Thanks for the posts everyone. Jon I always appreciate your help. Yes, mood sensitivity is big with me. Like if I feel that I wasnt kind enough to someone in some tiny little way, I feel like the biggest scum on earth.
I can totally relate to that :)
> And to Viengsome and Alara, thanks for the good intention,and I leave open the possiblilty that you are entirely right with me, but I personally have my doubts. Do you really think that this pessimism, depression... could be helped by counselling?
I think it goes without say that you have a chemical problem that needs to be addressed, but therapy should not take a back seat. You should consider that medication alone simply may not be capable of providing you with remission. Medication + therapy is most effective for SP and atypical depression. This is the current thinking. Just to let you know, my pdoc Dr. Liebowitz (the doc of SP), wouldn't take me on unless I agreed to see a CBT therapist at the same time. Don't sell yourself short. It can make a huge difference, but make sure the therapist is highly respected and has training and experience with SP in particular. Seeing a therapist is not saying that your problem is either chemical or not, it's simply using everything at your disposal to kick the shit out of a very disabling illness. Don't let any bias you have get in the way of listening to the research and making the best decisions for overcoming your problems.
I don't mean to sound preachy or anything... I just know that I was so focused on the chemical side of my problems, and things didn't improve for me untill I combined medication with therapy (at Dr. Liebowitz's insistence, but nonetheless). Anyhow, I hope you consider this and keep it in mind.
Hang in there,
Jon
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