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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Depression Symptoms
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
Depression Symptoms
by Sleepy, Jan 08, 2000 12:00AM
I have been reading the archives about depression and while some of the symptoms of depression are like mine, I also have just the opposite. I have withdrawn from my family and friends and society and I have also lost interest in activities which used to give me pleasure. I don't like loud noise and I am quick to anger. But, where as most people lose their appetites and have problems sleeping, mine are just the opposite. I sleep all day until the kids gets home and then I am in bed by 9:00 p.m. for the night. I also have no problems in my appetite either.. This has been going on for 3 yrs now but I refuse to see a doctor and explain my situation.. Could these symptoms still be considered depression and could I just snap myself out of it? It has been a battle that is for sure! Thanks for any info that you may have!
Doctor's Answer
by HFHS-M.D.-HG, Jan 11, 2000 12:00AM
Dear Sleepy
From the information that was provided, it seems that you may be suffering from depression.. In depression with atypical features, the depressed mood is associated with features such as increase in appetite/ significant weight gain, hypersomnia (increased sleep), interpersonal sensitivity and heavy feeling in arms, legs etc. Medications such as MAOI's (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) and SSRI's (serotonin specific reuptake inhibitors) are found to be beneficial in the treatment. Three years is a long time to suffer from and I would recommend that you consider evaluation by a Psychiatrist for a comprehensive evaluation as early as possible. Good luck to you.
Sincerely
HFHS-M.D
From the information that was provided, it seems that you may be suffering from depression.. In depression with atypical features, the depressed mood is associated with features such as increase in appetite/ significant weight gain, hypersomnia (increased sleep), interpersonal sensitivity and heavy feeling in arms, legs etc. Medications such as MAOI's (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) and SSRI's (serotonin specific reuptake inhibitors) are found to be beneficial in the treatment. Three years is a long time to suffer from and I would recommend that you consider evaluation by a Psychiatrist for a comprehensive evaluation as early as possible. Good luck to you.
Sincerely
HFHS-M.D
I have experience with St. John's Wort. Where I come from, it can be bought at any health food or drug store. Studies have shown it to be as effective as prozac without the side effects. It has helped me tremendously. Consider this alternative.
Sincerely, Marilyn