Posted by JohnL on January 29, 2003, at 18:03:35
In reply to Re: Is Wellbutrin effective for dysthymia?, posted by btnd on January 29, 2003, at 9:51:41
> > Dysthymia is often unresponsive to serotonin meds. It's just my opinion from observations over the years, but I believe dysthymia is actually a stand-alone condition that should be treated differently than major depression. It looks a lot like depression, but is uniquely different at the same time. It actually looks more like the negative symptoms of schizophrenia than it does major depression. Dysthymia tends to be a reward deficiency syndrome, which is usually not directly related to serotonin, but instead related to dopamine D2 receptors.
> >
> > In my opinion, what makes dysthymia different from depression is that it involves an irregularity in the dopamine/norepinephrine system. It doesn't usually directly involve the serotonin circuitry.
>
>
> Well, the thing is I discovered that I have this condition (dysthymia) by using Adderall which relieved ALL of my dysthymic symptoms. After lots of reading through studies I've come to the conclusion that my problem is dopamine related. I agree with your post totally, but I'm trying to find some substitute for Adderall, so I could switch back and forth treatments, and not develop tolerance to any. I've read studies that Amisulpride is a D2/D3 antagonist, is prescribed for schizophrenics and actually works for dysthymia. So maybe this would be a good choice?
>
> The study is:
> http://www.biopsychiatry.com/dystreat.htm
>
I have tried Amisulpride a bunch of times and it is fabulous each time. It works in about two days, for me. The only side effect is that impotence sets in about day 4 or 5 and then I have to stop. Actually combined with Prozac it is really turbocharged. But yeah, Amisulpride is definitely a hot contender for your symptoms.
poster:JohnL
thread:137958
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030125/msgs/138198.html