Mood Disorder

[aCakes]

My new doctor thinks I've been misdiagnosed for depression/anxiety. He says this based on everything I described to him and because general SSRI's just cause me more problems than good (high anxiety and side effects). He says I'm not BiPolar, but that I have a mood disorder, on the BiPolar Spectrum... maybe unipolar. He says he does not know exactly what kind of mood disorder yet, just that I have one. So he's trying me out on Lamictal. Now he wants to add Lithium along with the Lamictal. I don't understand what Mood disorder means. All I have ever heard about people having is Depression, Anxiety, ADD, BiPolar, ADHD, etc

[quinnellabella]

i have been diagnosed with dysthymia for 20 years.  this new psychiatrist is thinking i have cyclothymia.

while i do not agree, i have agreed to try Lamictal.

[CRSeaside]

Have you looked into support groups?   I joined one & found it helped me. It meets once pr week. Free.  It's thru NAMI. We have all types of mood disorders in the group.  It overlaps. The main thing is to find relief of you symptoms in my view.  Best of health to you!  Pamela

[aCakes]

After searching on the internet, the list of Mood Disorders are are Major Depressive Disorder, BiPolar Disorder, Cyclothymic, and Dysthymia. He says I'm not BiPolar though, so maybe one of the other two.

[CRSeaside]

I'm not sure either. But I think mood disorder simply means anything that affects the mood. You know your peace of mind.
Lithium & Lamictal are usually used as a mood stabilizer.  If you respect your Dr, give these medications a chance to see if they help you feel better. Pamela