Posted by King Vultan on October 18, 2004, at 11:11:51
In reply to Re: Dr Liebowitz and A typical Meds, posted by utopizen on October 17, 2004, at 20:32:13
> Can someone please explain what the heck "atypical depression" is? Or "anheodinia"? (as if depressed people typically experience PLEASURE, or something? isn't that redundant to specify??)
Atypical depression is characterized by symptoms such as sleeping and eating too much, mood reactivity, and rejection hypersensitivity, if I remember correctly. Traditionally, MAOIs, particularly Nardil, were superior to tricyclics in treating this, but perhaps the SSRIs show some efficacy, as well.
Anhedonia is defined as the lack of ability to experience pleasure. It may be a symptom of depression but is not the same exact thing. In my case, it seems that depression is actually secondary to anhedonia, as my anhedonia seems far more treatment resistant than my depression. Most of the drugs I've tried have brightened my mood, but very few actually addressed my anhedonia issue. Anhedonia seems to have a strong dopaminergic component.
Todd
poster:King Vultan
thread:404262
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041018/msgs/404394.html