Aa
Bipolar III
Hi Doctor:
I am 33 years old, female, relatively good health for the exception of my struggles with anxiety, depression, ocd. When is was 18 or 19 years old (first semester of college) I had what I would describe as my first panic attack. Went to see a doctor, had an evaluation, and was prescribed effexor. For the past fourteen years, I have been on one of two drugs, effexor or, later, cymbalta. This past spring (2009), the cymbalta stopped working. I went to a second Psychiatrist, who also happens to be a pharmacologist, for fresh perspective (she also came highly recommended). She has me on fluvoxamine, 75 mg, and clonazepm 0.5 mg daily, but feels I need a mood stabilizer. Lamictal (spelling) has been one of the drugs/treatments she has mentioned, but not yet prescribed. The fluvoxamine is not working. I feel more low/depressed than I do high. I have never had what I would describe as mania, high or low. I am fully functional and have a stressful job, although feel my ability to concentrate/focus, and get things done has become difficult. My struggle with anxiety, ocd patterns, worse case scenario thinking, and catastopizing (spelling) would explain why work has become difficult. I have done some research and reading on Cyclothymic disorder and it fits. I could see having this, as I experience many, but not all, of the symptoms. My question(s) are the following: (1) Have I been treated with the wrong medications for the past fourteen years? (2) Did taking the antidepressants cause the Cyclothymic disorder to surface? (3) Mental illness runs in my family, although neither of my parents have it. Both grandmothers, one sibling, more than one aunt, one uncle, and several cousins. Does mental illness have a stronger tendency, say then diabetes or cancer, to run in families?
Thank you, in advance, doctor, for reading my lengthy e-mail.
Regards, from "trying to get well"
I am 33 years old, female, relatively good health for the exception of my struggles with anxiety, depression, ocd. When is was 18 or 19 years old (first semester of college) I had what I would describe as my first panic attack. Went to see a doctor, had an evaluation, and was prescribed effexor. For the past fourteen years, I have been on one of two drugs, effexor or, later, cymbalta. This past spring (2009), the cymbalta stopped working. I went to a second Psychiatrist, who also happens to be a pharmacologist, for fresh perspective (she also came highly recommended). She has me on fluvoxamine, 75 mg, and clonazepm 0.5 mg daily, but feels I need a mood stabilizer. Lamictal (spelling) has been one of the drugs/treatments she has mentioned, but not yet prescribed. The fluvoxamine is not working. I feel more low/depressed than I do high. I have never had what I would describe as mania, high or low. I am fully functional and have a stressful job, although feel my ability to concentrate/focus, and get things done has become difficult. My struggle with anxiety, ocd patterns, worse case scenario thinking, and catastopizing (spelling) would explain why work has become difficult. I have done some research and reading on Cyclothymic disorder and it fits. I could see having this, as I experience many, but not all, of the symptoms. My question(s) are the following: (1) Have I been treated with the wrong medications for the past fourteen years? (2) Did taking the antidepressants cause the Cyclothymic disorder to surface? (3) Mental illness runs in my family, although neither of my parents have it. Both grandmothers, one sibling, more than one aunt, one uncle, and several cousins. Does mental illness have a stronger tendency, say then diabetes or cancer, to run in families?
Thank you, in advance, doctor, for reading my lengthy e-mail.
Regards, from "trying to get well"
Hello, I am a 24 yr old female, i am being treated for depression and anxiety by my gp. I take propanolol and venlaflaxine. I have had these meds on and off for 3 years, i get stressed out by it stop taking them and end back on them when i next go to the gp. Here are a list of the things that i have done and my symptoms. Lying ( i mean majorly) , mood swings, agression, ive hit and spat at my partner, feel like my head will explode, i laugh at things that are not really that funny, then i will cry, every time my partner goes anywhere without me i think he is having an affair or not coming back, paranoia, think people are talking about me and don't like me, crying,i have self harmed in the past. One minute i will be extremely happy and running about all over the place cleaning, tidying going to work on a real high and a buzz then i will run out of steam become exhausted and want to sleep and not move.
I really don't know what to do as each time i go back to my gp they just keep giving me venlaflaxine to deal with depression and propanolol to deal with my anxiety but i dont know how to deal with myself anymore as i'm now loosing concentration, can't remember stuff, forget things that were told to me like two mins ago, hearing odd things and my partner is going to leave me coz of my madness. Other than go back to my Gp for them to tell me that i need to increase my propanolol what does this sound like do i need to go and live in mental institution?? I'm at the end of my tether i spend money like there is no tomorrow that i just have not got and this is making me more depressed as then i ghave no money for the rent!! What dod i do?? Help.
I really don't know what to do as each time i go back to my gp they just keep giving me venlaflaxine to deal with depression and propanolol to deal with my anxiety but i dont know how to deal with myself anymore as i'm now loosing concentration, can't remember stuff, forget things that were told to me like two mins ago, hearing odd things and my partner is going to leave me coz of my madness. Other than go back to my Gp for them to tell me that i need to increase my propanolol what does this sound like do i need to go and live in mental institution?? I'm at the end of my tether i spend money like there is no tomorrow that i just have not got and this is making me more depressed as then i ghave no money for the rent!! What dod i do?? Help.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Those are all very good questions but for me, the wrong framework. You are thinking of yourself as a person with a specific disease when what you are is a person going through the life cycle and out of touch with what has been causing you so much anxiety. You can't rely on a cocktail of medications to make your symptoms go away...medications help, but are not the answer...Use your functioning ability and intelligence to get to the source in some form of exploratory psychotherapy. Then look at what aid you can get from medications...these things are not inherited, they happen and they can be fixed with understanding.
Regardless of what words were and weren't used I perceived your comments to be critical. No doubt my feelings of inadequacy and worthlessness were triggered. My mother has a skewed perception of status based on education, intelligence, race, etc. My perception is that nothing I have ever done has ever been good enough. This forum has become a refuge for me where I can come and learn and grow and feel accepted and contribute. Unfortunately, I bring my life issues to this forum with me.
I think that many people with mental health issues (especially those who have been in the system a long time) are sometimes better able to answer some questions.
I think that Dr Gould is a kind and caring individual and is good at what he does. I think he is insightful and is best able to answer most questions here. In my experience it is rare to find a psychiatrist with this combination of traits.
Since I have been a member here Dr Gould has answered almost every single question posted in this forum. The response does come from him.
It is good to be cautious about other comments and advice posted because they do just often reflect our own thoughts, feelings and experiences.
I disagree with Dr Gould on some of his responses but I think that this is healthy.
Back to your post. I think you received great advice and even I have found it useful. I have a tendency to view myself as pathological and to view it as part of the life span is perhaps helpful. I guess in some respects that makes issues time limited and 'fixable'. It is also much easier to fix a problem than to fix me (whatever that entails).
I think that many people with mental health issues (especially those who have been in the system a long time) are sometimes better able to answer some questions.
I think that Dr Gould is a kind and caring individual and is good at what he does. I think he is insightful and is best able to answer most questions here. In my experience it is rare to find a psychiatrist with this combination of traits.
Since I have been a member here Dr Gould has answered almost every single question posted in this forum. The response does come from him.
It is good to be cautious about other comments and advice posted because they do just often reflect our own thoughts, feelings and experiences.
I disagree with Dr Gould on some of his responses but I think that this is healthy.
Back to your post. I think you received great advice and even I have found it useful. I have a tendency to view myself as pathological and to view it as part of the life span is perhaps helpful. I guess in some respects that makes issues time limited and 'fixable'. It is also much easier to fix a problem than to fix me (whatever that entails).
Thank you for response. If you look back at my e-mail carefully, I never used the word disappointed or even asserted that as suggestion. As a person in academia myself, I was just curious about the qualifications of people who are answering these posts, on any level or any illness.
I agree, too, that many people do not have the benefit of good, quality, outstanding health care, which is sad, really. I guess when I am posting a question to a doctor, like I did to Dr. Gould, I expect the response I recieve to come from him or another certified doctor. Just my feeling and that is why I was curious.
All the best,
skicolorado
I agree, too, that many people do not have the benefit of good, quality, outstanding health care, which is sad, really. I guess when I am posting a question to a doctor, like I did to Dr. Gould, I expect the response I recieve to come from him or another certified doctor. Just my feeling and that is why I was curious.
All the best,
skicolorado
I am as qualified (or unqualified) as many others on this forum to be answering posts.
While we don't have the qualifications or wealth of expertize that the doctor has we all have a tonne of personal experience.
I take it for granted that others will perceive my posts as being reflecting my own opinion. I have been more cautious about owning my thoughts and feelings (and opinions) by using "I" statements but admittedly I don't get it right all the time.
I think it is irrelevant what my occupation, or lack of, is.
You are correct. The majority of posts are directed to Dr Gould.
I will not apologize for posting comments though (some of which some people have found helpful).
Not everyone here has access to a "good, quality, ethical doctor" or even therapist for that matter. For some people who feel hopeless and helpless and who have been severely rejected by those same 'good, quality, ethical professionals,' and others, input is invaluable. I feel that if my posts help any of those individuals then posting is worth it.
My question to you is, why do my posts/ comments bother you so much?
Do you think we should defer to everyone with titles or letters after their name?
I have the utmost respect for Dr Gould. What I admire and respect the most about him is that he accepts us as individuals and treats us with respect. He doesn't judge us or discriminate against us. He allows us to have conversations with him and he doesn't let his education and experience become barriers. He communicates with us on our level and he never stands over us. He treats us as equals (despite our vast differences). He is a good, quality, ethical doctor and this will always be his forum.
While we don't have the qualifications or wealth of expertize that the doctor has we all have a tonne of personal experience.
I take it for granted that others will perceive my posts as being reflecting my own opinion. I have been more cautious about owning my thoughts and feelings (and opinions) by using "I" statements but admittedly I don't get it right all the time.
I think it is irrelevant what my occupation, or lack of, is.
You are correct. The majority of posts are directed to Dr Gould.
I will not apologize for posting comments though (some of which some people have found helpful).
Not everyone here has access to a "good, quality, ethical doctor" or even therapist for that matter. For some people who feel hopeless and helpless and who have been severely rejected by those same 'good, quality, ethical professionals,' and others, input is invaluable. I feel that if my posts help any of those individuals then posting is worth it.
My question to you is, why do my posts/ comments bother you so much?
Do you think we should defer to everyone with titles or letters after their name?
I have the utmost respect for Dr Gould. What I admire and respect the most about him is that he accepts us as individuals and treats us with respect. He doesn't judge us or discriminate against us. He allows us to have conversations with him and he doesn't let his education and experience become barriers. He communicates with us on our level and he never stands over us. He treats us as equals (despite our vast differences). He is a good, quality, ethical doctor and this will always be his forum.
Dear Jaquta:
I mean this with the utmost respect, but are you qualified to be answering these questions, which seem, to me, at least, to be directed at or for Dr. Gould? I will presume, perhaps wrongly, that you are a doctor or a nurse per the information you are posting? The information seems "in your opinion," which is really all one can provide in an online community. Still, are you a doctor?
Respectively yours,
skicolorado
I mean this with the utmost respect, but are you qualified to be answering these questions, which seem, to me, at least, to be directed at or for Dr. Gould? I will presume, perhaps wrongly, that you are a doctor or a nurse per the information you are posting? The information seems "in your opinion," which is really all one can provide in an online community. Still, are you a doctor?
Respectively yours,
skicolorado
Dr Gould, this forum expert, is currently away on leave.
My recommendation would be to see a psychiatrist. They will be better able to assess the situation.
From what you write I think your GP may have misdiagnosed you.
Your GP can refer you to a psychiatrist or you could possibly even self-refer. Contact your local psych services if you feel you need too. Or you could even go via the hospital.
My recommendation would be to see a psychiatrist. They will be better able to assess the situation.
From what you write I think your GP may have misdiagnosed you.
Your GP can refer you to a psychiatrist or you could possibly even self-refer. Contact your local psych services if you feel you need too. Or you could even go via the hospital.
The expert has left us all some support in his absence. You may like to check out his journal entry, First Aid for Holiday family stress.
Also, a mental health chat group was set up recently if people would like that as another option.
Take care and have a great festive season.
Also, a mental health chat group was set up recently if people would like that as another option.
Take care and have a great festive season.
Family can still influence our environment though. I think that taking responsibility for the problem is also important regardless of its origins.
I think the doctor gave great advice.
I'm sure most people feel the same about their place/ home town.
Wishing everyone here a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.
Also to the doctor, thank you for taking the time to respond to posts so close to Christmas.
I think the doctor gave great advice.
I'm sure most people feel the same about their place/ home town.
Wishing everyone here a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.
Also to the doctor, thank you for taking the time to respond to posts so close to Christmas.
Thank you for the quick response. I have done a lot of research (I am in academia) and spoken with a fair amount of doctors. Your assessment of "these things not being inherited," is a first, as way of explanation, for me. When I look at my own family, for instance, I could never imagine, better yet, never feel that there is not a genetic or inheritance link. This being the case, I understand the importance of (talk) therapy. This means finding a good, quality, ethical doctor first. Not so often an easy thing to accomplish.
On very much of a side note, Northwestern rocks! Evanston rocks more!
Respectively yours,
skicolorado
On very much of a side note, Northwestern rocks! Evanston rocks more!
Respectively yours,
skicolorado
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