Mood Disorder or Depression

That is what my physciatrist says ? He is not sure about his diagnosis just yet having seen me only three times. I wanted to ask people on this news group if they can give me their opinions because the medication that I am starting to feel hopeless. I am working with my family physician who has had me try many different antidepressants over the years but none have worked seems to be running out of ideas. I understand that most of us are not doctors and cannot give medical advice but if someone can share their experiences maybe it will give me a better idea as to whats wrong with me.

So here is my story I find my self easily get down on my moods and my mood stays down sometimes for several days at a time and sometimes much shorter time periods. People coughing in my direction easily puts me down or at least I take it that way. I have been told that my depression is biplolar and irritable depression. This is based on my recent experience with taking Cipralex/LexaPro an antidepressant. I found myself feeling really good for few days into about 2-3 weeks of starting this medication but a week later found myself feeling unhappy again. The good feelings never really would come back, though occassionally I would find myself feeling more positive but these feelings rarely would last more then hours at a time. I have never have had manic episodes where I would feel hyper good and then really low. I am more in between the extremes. I have tried many antidepressants in the past but none of them have any helpfull effects. I have been told my cousin who is a Phyciatrist that maybe mood stabilizers might be the way to go since taking the antidepressants have cycled my mood. At the present I have been taking 600 mg of Seroquel an antipsychotic for about 5 weeks now and at that high level it becomes a mood stabilizer but I have yet to feel the effects of it. I have also been told that I am a paranoid or delusional also hence taking Seroquel.

Can anyone share if they also been diagnosed with a Bipolar Depression or with a Mood Disorder ? I believe that its more over BiPolar/Mood Disorder then anything else.

[ILADVOCATE]

Generally if a person has some form of manic episodes or mixed states where there is a combination of mania and depression (such as an "agitated mixed state" where someone has the speeded up quality of mania but with the mood of depression so they appear "angry at the world' that's common"). Its not just that we couldn't provide a diagnosis but you can't self diagnosis either. But obviously its essential to discuss with your psychiatrist. We have some good websites linked up where you could read about the different forms of bipolar as well as depression. Try the Mood Tracker and see if your moods go from depressed to stable or if there are days where you feel a bit too up and then bring that information to your psychiatrist and discuss it with them.

[LeftCoastChick]

I have to agree with ILAD, we can't diagnose here at all, but some things that are going on with you, are similar issues many of us face. It's good your shrink is taking time to get the right diagnosis, better to be slow after your pdoc has been talking to you for awhile.  I was in the hospital for 4 days and then say my new shrink a week after being released. (luckily I was just in the ER section for psych issues, and not one of the main units).  Between the observations that were made while in hospital and a 2 hour interview, they came up with my diagnosis. I was shocked, but at the same time, that I can start a new life without having to juggle the wrong kind of meds.  It's good to educate yourself. I'm on Seroquel for my hypomania and anxiety, split up during the day and at night time.  It takes a while for these meds to fully work, but I'm sure you felt some positive effects after a few days on the Seroquel.  Here's a good link for pretty much anything for a mood disorder and links to other sites from there.

http://www.helpguide.org/topic_index.htm

[VictorMe]

Thanks ILADVOCATE and LeftCoastChick for sharing. I can say that its nice that you guys understand how I feel and to me that does make a difference. I'll try the Mood Tracker and read up on the link posted above. Appreciate the reply. Sorry for not proof reading my original post.