Posted by susan C on June 22, 2001, at 19:15:53
In reply to Dr. Bob -- Can antidepressants cure permanently?, posted by mr on June 22, 2001, at 18:31:47
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> You have a lot of good questions. I am enjoying reading this board and responding, so I thought I would see what I could answer. I wrote what i have learned after the question. Keep up the questioning, don't give up and get a lot of opinions.> Dr. Bob (and/or anyone else) --
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> This is my first time on psychobabble. I have a question: How do antidepressants work?Look up on the net, lots of resources.
Do they rewire the brain?
there are theories that they enhance the connection of the chemicals the communicate between the neurotransmitters. Again, lots of resources, even great pictures!
Do they create permanent changes?
No one knows.
If I have Major Depression and take antidepressants for a long time, when I go off, will the depression return?
It depends.
If a/ds do cure, how long would I need to be on them to create a permanent change?
No one knows
And prevent relapse?
It depends
Or would I need to be on antidepressants for life to stop recurrence?
Possibly. Depression, BPII is an illness, a chronic illness. I know I will be dealing with it for the rest of my life.
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> Can antidepressants cause depression?I know I can't take them because they case my highs to be too high (BPII)
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> Can bipolar start in a person's thirties?I have discovered it can be genetic and triggered by stress, or always there. It can be a part of epilepsy, seizure, autoimmune disorders, blood disorders, hyroid problems, brain injury.
Can it start from taking antidepressants?
As I said, some doctors think SSRI/AD make bipolar worse.
If you stop taking the antidepressants, will you continue to be manic forever without the use of mood stabilizers?
again, there is a debate about whether or not bipolar and the use of AD is a good idea. From experience, in my situation, it is not a good thing for me to take AD/SSRIs
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> Finally, can Hashimoto's Thyroiditis mimic symptoms of bipolar?I, too, am investigating the thyroid connection, even though my THS level is normal, for some people this isn't enough or is too much and is said to cause symptoms. And, my pdoc said it might be something to investigate.
Are you confused yet? Good, that means you are thinking. Here is something to investigate: Brain SPECT scans. With that bit, I sign off-
poster:susan C
thread:67520
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010618/msgs/67523.html