Posted by loosmrbls on May 31, 2001, at 10:52:49
In reply to I'M DESPERATE, posted by Anna Laura on May 31, 2001, at 7:39:49
There are many of us here who have been suffering months, and even years, with mood (affective) disorders. Many of us have tried multiple medications with varying results. One question I would ask is "what do you think I have?" -- Depression?
If so (or let's even say bipolar disorder) and you haven't responded well to several different medical therapies, then you are in the "treatment-resistant group" that many of us here are in. But there is still hope.
Besides tricyclics, there are numerous other mood stabilizers and antidepressants out there, and many people respond to them -- even if others don't. It seems to be a very individual thing.The atypical antipsychotic sounds a bit harsh, but I don't know your case that well. It can be added to an anti-depressant short-term to "jump-start" it.
But let's talk worst-case scenario -- no meds seem to work that well.
Electoconvulsive therapy (ECT) has a 80+% response rate at reversing depression, and if medications cannot stabilize patients afterwards, there is even maintenance ECT. This is very effective in patients not doing well on meds.
I think he did the right thing by telling you there may be a chronic struggle with your mood disorder, but he failed to give you hope that it's not a death sentence. There are options out there to make you feel better.
poster:loosmrbls
thread:64857
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010530/msgs/64885.html