Posted by Optimist on March 8, 2005, at 13:08:56
In reply to Re: Is there a drug that can stop acute suicidalit » Neal, posted by Shy_Girl on March 8, 2005, at 11:00:19
> > Your symptoms suggest some kind of rapidly cycling bi-polar disorder to me. Treat all this very seriously and take your meds! What seems fun now, can get very grim in a hurry, especially if you experience a loss, such as a romantic breakup. BTW, acute suicidality is called depression.
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> I'm pretty sure I don't just have a 'simple' major depression when I get depressed. As I understand it, there is a spectrum between unipolar and bipolar depression. I don't think I meet the criteria for any bipolar depression because of my very rapidly changing moods that change in response to psycho-social stressors (real and perceived). Labels don't really matter that much anyways. Hmmm...Lithium...isn't that only for mania or something? Isn't it also dangerous? I am able to behave very normally in public despite intense inner turmoil...which makes me wonder whether or not my unhappiness is biological in nature and hence responsive to medication. Are suicidal behaviours/ideations/gestures always indicative of some inbalance in neurotransmitters?
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> Thanks for the opinions! :)
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Yes, lithium is used as a mood stabilizer for mania, but it is also used for aggression, treatment resistant depression, and suicidal states, among other indications I'm sure. Lithium isn't that dangerous if you monitor your blood concentration level and make sure you have sufficient fluids and sodium. The reason lithium gets such a bad rap is it's association with a severe illness like bipolar, and gets thought of as equically severe which it is not. It is highly underutilized due to this stereotype.Could it be possible you are experiencing mood reactivity as part of atypical depression? I think mood reactivity is defined as an increase in mood to positive events while low at other times. Certain antidepressants are quite effective in treating it.
Brian
poster:Optimist
thread:468041
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050308/msgs/468251.html