Posted by Seedwoman on January 22, 2000, at 18:44:03
In reply to Re: dysthymia, posted by Janet on January 17, 2000, at 21:03:20
Janet, I too am dysthymic,have been at least since adolescence, and have also had run-ins with "double depression". Dysthymics are indeed different from other depressives. I have had excellent results from a combination of meds, including at present Wellbutrin, Zoloft, Buspar, and Trazodone for sleep. However, I know I would not be where I am today without the several years I've had of psycotherapy with an excellent practitioner. The interactions of mood, neurochemistry, hormones, and thought are just so complex; everyone responds differently to various therapies. I just want to send you some encouragement, having myself emerged from a lifelong fog that is probably both "innate" in some way and also brought forth by stress in childhood and after...hang in there. the meds are important for me, which is something I have to relearn from time to time--my psychological health is excellent, better than ever, and yet my mood sometimes suffers no matter how well things are going, either due to stress, or hormones, or meds losing their effectiveness. "cure" is a bit pat for such complex transformations, and the depression remains latent. still, I've never been happier. hang in there. keep trying different meds; find yourself a psychiatrist whom you trust and who seems to know what he's doing with med combos; and consider psychotherapy if you think it would help (having had a depressed parent probably means that exploring some personal issues might give insight and help with the healing process).
best of luck to you.
poster:Seedwoman
thread:19054
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000112/msgs/19422.html