![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 25 of 25. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by vwoolf on December 30, 2003, at 4:59:12
Hi All,
My pdoc recently told me (to my horror) that he thinks I am on the verge of a psychotic breakdown, and that he wants me to start taking some medicines that are used for schizophrenia as well as the antidepressants I am currently taking. The antipsychotic he wants me to take is Fluanxol, or Flupenthixol. I have looked at the side effects and they are really scary, especially the diskenesia. I don't really want to take these pills, and feel maybe I should wait to actually have a psychotic episode first. Has anyone else used Fluanxol, and if so, with what results? At the moment I am taking Ciprimil.
Best regards
Virginia
Posted by Mimi on December 30, 2003, at 7:35:53
In reply to Schizophrenia - Fluanxol, posted by vwoolf on December 30, 2003, at 4:59:12
>Virginia,
Definitely, take it or Risperdal or Zyprexa or Seroquel. I wish I had taken the pills BEFORE my psychotic breakdown. Save yourself the brain damage that a breakdown causes.
I have taken these pills for years now and do not experience TD or other permanent side effects.
Mimi
Hi All,
>
> My pdoc recently told me (to my horror) that he thinks I am on the verge of a psychotic breakdown, and that he wants me to start taking some medicines that are used for schizophrenia as well as the antidepressants I am currently taking. The antipsychotic he wants me to take is Fluanxol, or Flupenthixol. I have looked at the side effects and they are really scary, especially the diskenesia. I don't really want to take these pills, and feel maybe I should wait to actually have a psychotic episode first. Has anyone else used Fluanxol, and if so, with what results? At the moment I am taking Ciprimil.
>
> Best regards
>
> Virginia
>
Posted by leopard on December 30, 2003, at 7:41:41
In reply to Schizophrenia - Fluanxol, posted by vwoolf on December 30, 2003, at 4:59:12
The newer antipsychotics are a lot less scary as far as side effects. I am taking Geodon and I love it! I have BPII but with a lot of paranoia.
The side effects you mentioned on the other meds are the same effects that I experienced until I tried Geodon...side effect free...literally.
Best of luck to you.
~Shannon
Posted by Mimi on December 30, 2003, at 10:10:40
In reply to Re: Schizophrenia - Fluanxol » vwoolf, posted by leopard on December 30, 2003, at 7:41:41
Posted by vwoolf on December 30, 2003, at 11:16:38
In reply to Re: Schizophrenia - Fluanxol » vwoolf, posted by Mimi on December 30, 2003, at 7:35:53
Hi Mimi an Shannon,
I didn't know that brain damage might result from a psychotic breakdown. That really changes everything. I sort of thought that there was a continuous development from normality (?) to depression to bipolar to schizophrenia (madness), and that at any time you could move backwards or forwards on that line. If, as you say, brain damage is a possibility, it means there is no return. Please won't you tell me more about your experience, it's really important to me.
Thanks for your suggestions about different medications. Unfortunately I had a breast cancer scare a few months ago, and my psychiatrist is reluctant to prescribe any of the newer generation of antipsychotics, until I have tried the old ones, because they have some effect on the hormone balance. However I will ask him about the Geodon when I next see him - only on the 15th. I am actually feeling quite hostile towards him at the moment. He dumped this diagnosis on me together with the prescription, before going off on a four week holiday like just about every other doctor in Cape Town, leaving me to handle the disclosure/non-disclsure issues with family and friends. Probably wrongly I have decided not to disclose, which has left me feeling really isolated and desperate.
Bestest
Penny
Posted by Mimi on December 30, 2003, at 12:35:56
In reply to Re: Schizophrenia - Fluanxol » Mimi, posted by vwoolf on December 30, 2003, at 11:16:38
>Hi vwoolf,
Okay, where to begin... I lived with depression for years, as you know. In 1996-97 I could feel myself no longer able to tolerate additional stress, that is I could feel in my brain an impending disaster. My living circumstances were very difficult, my grandfather had recently committed suicide, and I had ruined my right hand with a work injury. I had tried antidepressants in the past briefly, but to no avail. I refused to take anything called an "antipsychotic" as I did not believe myself to be a "mental case" or want the stigma attached to that.
I tried to stave off the breakdown (brain snap) by going off on a vacation. Didn't work. I returned to the stresses and became a basket case but refused hospitalization until one year later. During my mental disintegration (I had a job) I could no longer understand language. Yes, I could not understand what people were saying to me. I could not read at all. I could recognize words but I could not put them together to make meaning. As far as people talking, I just heard sounds. I also collapsed physically.
Thus began a very long seven-year ordeal. I suffered damage to the language center of my brain. I couldn't read for years. I forgot how to spell. This is the short story version here. Basically, I lived a half-life whereas before I had been very successful academically and especially with languages.
I ended up finally in a hospital (what a wonderful relief!) and with more than one diagnoses and taking antipsychotics anyway.
As I said, I had the shocks 2 years ago, which alleviated the depression. The introduction of Strattera several months ago as allowed me to regain much of my lost brain function and my brain may have regenerated some in 7 years.
There is much to know on this subject. Educate yourself if at all possible.
I sympathize with you about the cruelty of your pdoc leaving you abruptly. I had a similar event in my life.
If there is a mood disorder support group where you live, go there. Very helpful. You need to connect with others like yourself. This website is excellent, too. As for disclosure, pick and choose. Never disclose at work. Read everything you can on mental illness.
Write again if you wish,
Mimi
Hi Mimi an Shannon,
>
> I didn't know that brain damage might result from a psychotic breakdown. That really changes everything. I sort of thought that there was a continuous development from normality (?) to depression to bipolar to schizophrenia (madness), and that at any time you could move backwards or forwards on that line. If, as you say, brain damage is a possibility, it means there is no return. Please won't you tell me more about your experience, it's really important to me.
>
> Thanks for your suggestions about different medications. Unfortunately I had a breast cancer scare a few months ago, and my psychiatrist is reluctant to prescribe any of the newer generation of antipsychotics, until I have tried the old ones, because they have some effect on the hormone balance. However I will ask him about the Geodon when I next see him - only on the 15th. I am actually feeling quite hostile towards him at the moment. He dumped this diagnosis on me together with the prescription, before going off on a four week holiday like just about every other doctor in Cape Town, leaving me to handle the disclosure/non-disclsure issues with family and friends. Probably wrongly I have decided not to disclose, which has left me feeling really isolated and desperate.
>
> Bestest
>
> Penny
Posted by vwoolf on December 30, 2003, at 14:17:41
In reply to Re: Schizophrenia - Fluanxol » vwoolf, posted by Mimi on December 30, 2003, at 12:35:56
Oh Mimi, it must have been terrible to lose your ability to understand, read or write. I am also a language professional, and I know how important it is for people like us to be able to create meaning through language. I am so sorry! I have only recently joined the group so I didn't know anything about your background. Judging by your emails, you seem to have recovered your faculties fully however, which must be a great joy to you.
To give you a bit of my biography: After being sexually abused by my father from the age of about 4 or 5 to the night(inclusive) that he died when I was 11, I went through a deep depression in my teenage years and underwent ECT at the age of 17. That was back in the seventies, when techniques were not very sophisticated. It did me absolutely no good, and in fact messed up my memory completely, so that I am still unable to remember even simple things. I spent some time on a psychiatric ward, but after being sexually abused by my psychiatrist, I left the hospital, my family and the country and went to live in Europe. Enough is enough, I guess.
Even though I have managed to achieve success professionally, I have spent most of the rest of my life escaping. A few years ago I returned home with my foreign husband and son. Stresses have simply accumulated, and in the last year I have begun to feel the "impending disaster" you talk of. Like you I don't want to accept the idea that I am psychotic, although I have known for many years that there was something "wrong" or "different" about me - nobody else seemed to see it, but I was aware of it. In fact when my psychiatrist handed me his diagnosis, my first feeling was relief, that at last someone could see me properly.
I can't really tell my family about the psychosis. My marriage is going through a rocky phase, and I know my husband would use the knowledge against me. My brother is my partner in a company of which I am the executive director, and he would be horrified to know of the diagnosis - he would probably try to protect me and do more damage. There are support groups in the city, but close friends of mine are involved in the management of all of them, so I am reluctant to approach them. I feel I would love to get to the safety and peace of a hospital, but can't see how I could manage to shed all the responsibility.
I would love to read more about this, as you suggest. I have been reading non-stop since June, but don't have a clear idea of what to look for. Can you suggest some good sources?
Bestest
Virginia
> >Hi vwoolf,
>
> Okay, where to begin... I lived with depression for years, as you know. In 1996-97 I could feel myself no longer able to tolerate additional stress, that is I could feel in my brain an impending disaster. My living circumstances were very difficult, my grandfather had recently committed suicide, and I had ruined my right hand with a work injury. I had tried antidepressants in the past briefly, but to no avail. I refused to take anything called an "antipsychotic" as I did not believe myself to be a "mental case" or want the stigma attached to that.
>
> I tried to stave off the breakdown (brain snap) by going off on a vacation. Didn't work. I returned to the stresses and became a basket case but refused hospitalization until one year later. During my mental disintegration (I had a job) I could no longer understand language. Yes, I could not understand what people were saying to me. I could not read at all. I could recognize words but I could not put them together to make meaning. As far as people talking, I just heard sounds. I also collapsed physically.
>
> Thus began a very long seven-year ordeal. I suffered damage to the language center of my brain. I couldn't read for years. I forgot how to spell. This is the short story version here. Basically, I lived a half-life whereas before I had been very successful academically and especially with languages.
>
> I ended up finally in a hospital (what a wonderful relief!) and with more than one diagnoses and taking antipsychotics anyway.
>
> As I said, I had the shocks 2 years ago, which alleviated the depression. The introduction of Strattera several months ago as allowed me to regain much of my lost brain function and my brain may have regenerated some in 7 years.
>
> There is much to know on this subject. Educate yourself if at all possible.
>
> I sympathize with you about the cruelty of your pdoc leaving you abruptly. I had a similar event in my life.
>
> If there is a mood disorder support group where you live, go there. Very helpful. You need to connect with others like yourself. This website is excellent, too. As for disclosure, pick and choose. Never disclose at work. Read everything you can on mental illness.
>
> Write again if you wish,
>
> Mimi
>
>
>
>
>
Posted by Mimi on December 30, 2003, at 15:48:09
In reply to Re: Schizophrenia - Fluanxol, posted by vwoolf on December 30, 2003, at 14:17:41
>Yes Virginia, it was living hell. I was a teacher at the time. Believe me, you do not want to go off the deep end. I had night terrors also, which are nightmares magnified exponentially. Language was my life.
Yes, I was thrilled when I became able to easily read and write several months ago.
You have been horribly traumatized in your life, to say the least.
My father abused me emotionally/psychologically, forever (until I stopped seeing him at age 37). I was anorexic between the ages of 12 and 15 and thus had a hard time reaching adulthood. And yes, there was the constant depression.
I have had many diagnoses, though the most accurate are double depression and PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). The main issue is the set of symptoms, really.
I have been on an editorial advisory board of a psychiatric survivor newspaper for 6 years (I live in the States).
Here's the short answer for reading material:
http://www.nami.org/
www.narsad.org
An Unquiet Mind by Kay Redfield Jamison
Touched with Fire by Kay Redfield Jamison
I Can't Get Over It (about PTSD) by A. Matsakis, PhD
Darkness Visible by William Styron
The PDR (Physicians Desk Reference)
The above resources are all starting places for your education about your disorder.Remove as much stress from your life as you can.
I'm enjoying this conversation.
Please take care of yourself. It would be terrible to lose your hardwon achievements.
Feel free to ask me more.
Mimi
Oh Mimi, it must have been terrible to lose your ability to understand, read or write. I am also a language professional, and I know how important it is for people like us to be able to create meaning through language. I am so sorry! I have only recently joined the group so I didn't know anything about your background. Judging by your emails, you seem to have recovered your faculties fully however, which must be a great joy to you.
>
> To give you a bit of my biography: After being sexually abused by my father from the age of about 4 or 5 to the night(inclusive) that he died when I was 11, I went through a deep depression in my teenage years and underwent ECT at the age of 17. That was back in the seventies, when techniques were not very sophisticated. It did me absolutely no good, and in fact messed up my memory completely, so that I am still unable to remember even simple things. I spent some time on a psychiatric ward, but after being sexually abused by my psychiatrist, I left the hospital, my family and the country and went to live in Europe. Enough is enough, I guess.
>
> Even though I have managed to achieve success professionally, I have spent most of the rest of my life escaping. A few years ago I returned home with my foreign husband and son. Stresses have simply accumulated, and in the last year I have begun to feel the "impending disaster" you talk of. Like you I don't want to accept the idea that I am psychotic, although I have known for many years that there was something "wrong" or "different" about me - nobody else seemed to see it, but I was aware of it. In fact when my psychiatrist handed me his diagnosis, my first feeling was relief, that at last someone could see me properly.
>
> I can't really tell my family about the psychosis. My marriage is going through a rocky phase, and I know my husband would use the knowledge against me. My brother is my partner in a company of which I am the executive director, and he would be horrified to know of the diagnosis - he would probably try to protect me and do more damage. There are support groups in the city, but close friends of mine are involved in the management of all of them, so I am reluctant to approach them. I feel I would love to get to the safety and peace of a hospital, but can't see how I could manage to shed all the responsibility.
>
> I would love to read more about this, as you suggest. I have been reading non-stop since June, but don't have a clear idea of what to look for. Can you suggest some good sources?
>
> Bestest
>
> Virginia
>
>
>
> > >Hi vwoolf,
> >
> > Okay, where to begin... I lived with depression for years, as you know. In 1996-97 I could feel myself no longer able to tolerate additional stress, that is I could feel in my brain an impending disaster. My living circumstances were very difficult, my grandfather had recently committed suicide, and I had ruined my right hand with a work injury. I had tried antidepressants in the past briefly, but to no avail. I refused to take anything called an "antipsychotic" as I did not believe myself to be a "mental case" or want the stigma attached to that.
> >
> > I tried to stave off the breakdown (brain snap) by going off on a vacation. Didn't work. I returned to the stresses and became a basket case but refused hospitalization until one year later. During my mental disintegration (I had a job) I could no longer understand language. Yes, I could not understand what people were saying to me. I could not read at all. I could recognize words but I could not put them together to make meaning. As far as people talking, I just heard sounds. I also collapsed physically.
> >
> > Thus began a very long seven-year ordeal. I suffered damage to the language center of my brain. I couldn't read for years. I forgot how to spell. This is the short story version here. Basically, I lived a half-life whereas before I had been very successful academically and especially with languages.
> >
> > I ended up finally in a hospital (what a wonderful relief!) and with more than one diagnoses and taking antipsychotics anyway.
> >
> > As I said, I had the shocks 2 years ago, which alleviated the depression. The introduction of Strattera several months ago as allowed me to regain much of my lost brain function and my brain may have regenerated some in 7 years.
> >
> > There is much to know on this subject. Educate yourself if at all possible.
> >
> > I sympathize with you about the cruelty of your pdoc leaving you abruptly. I had a similar event in my life.
> >
> > If there is a mood disorder support group where you live, go there. Very helpful. You need to connect with others like yourself. This website is excellent, too. As for disclosure, pick and choose. Never disclose at work. Read everything you can on mental illness.
> >
> > Write again if you wish,
> >
> > Mimi
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
Posted by Mimi on December 30, 2003, at 17:42:52
In reply to Re: Schizophrenia - Fluanxol, posted by vwoolf on December 30, 2003, at 14:17:41
To vwoolf,
A good book list concerning depression:
http://www.dr-bob.org/books/depression.htmlI just found this list.
Mimi
Posted by leopard on December 30, 2003, at 17:46:49
In reply to Re: Schizophrenia - Fluanxol » vwoolf, posted by Mimi on December 30, 2003, at 15:48:09
Hi Guys,
I just read all of the follow up threads...we all have similar backgrounds...abuse wise...very sad...there are so many others out there like us...sigh...couple of things...Geodon is not like all of the other antipsychotics...it does not mess with your hormones and had no effect on your breast glands...lots of studies to support this...I found them by typing in Geodon and ziprasidone into Google...I despise the name "antipsychotic" for these meds...it is so scary and creepy sounding...it prevented me and I am sure many others from taking them for fear that we will be labeled nutjobs...the social stigma to mental illness is alive and well unfortunately...gotta run, keep me posted.
Shannon
Posted by Mimi on December 30, 2003, at 18:24:51
In reply to Re: Schizophrenia - Fluanxol » Mimi, posted by leopard on December 30, 2003, at 17:46:49
>Shannon,
You made me laugh: I've never heard "nutjob" before.When I took Risperdal I also took Bromocriptine to counteract raised prolactin levels.
Geodon can prolong the QT interval of heart function. This can be fatal.
Mimi
Hi Guys,
>
> I just read all of the follow up threads...we all have similar backgrounds...abuse wise...very sad...there are so many others out there like us...sigh...couple of things...Geodon is not like all of the other antipsychotics...it does not mess with your hormones and had no effect on your breast glands...lots of studies to support this...I found them by typing in Geodon and ziprasidone into Google...I despise the name "antipsychotic" for these meds...it is so scary and creepy sounding...it prevented me and I am sure many others from taking them for fear that we will be labeled nutjobs...the social stigma to mental illness is alive and well unfortunately...gotta run, keep me posted.
>
> Shannon
>
Posted by leopard on December 30, 2003, at 18:43:21
In reply to Re: Schizophrenia - Fluanxol » leopard, posted by Mimi on December 30, 2003, at 18:24:51
Yes, yes, yes, the prolactin problem...that was the word I was looking for...apparently this is not a problem with Geodon. As far as the QT thingy, I have a hurt murmur and sometimes I get irregular heat rhythms, but I haven't noticed anything while taking this...no more than usual...I am wondereing where the cut off is...how bad does one have to be to preclude the use of this med? Dunno. Read all you can before taking it...or anything for that matter!!! Wanna hear the ultimate bummer? I really want to start trying for a baby and I am now faced with how to handle my meds...any advice? I have read every single solitary article about Geodon and pregnancy but there isn't enough conclusive evidence either way...the rat trials were 3x normal human consumption and did cause some problems...there are 28 women who took zyprexa and a few who took risperdal with no problems...sometimes I wonder how a drug that makes me feel normal can be bad for my fetus...just don't know...I am also familiar with the effects of depression on the fetus as well...some of them won't apply to me...i.e.; depression won't cause me to stop eating or drink alcohol or take illicit drugs...but I am worried about the cortisol levels in my body affecting the fetus...there are studies out there that prove it does make for one cranky baby...sorry for the tangent...this is where I am at...any advice?
So glad I found this board and people like me (people who won't surrender!)
~Shannon
Posted by Mimi on December 30, 2003, at 18:57:58
In reply to Re: Schizophrenia - Fluanxol » Mimi, posted by leopard on December 30, 2003, at 18:43:21
>I'm extremely med sensitive so it's usual for me to get the side effects that are less frequent or rare. With Geodon, my heart was in trouble in just 1-2 days. I feel all the meds immediately upon taking them. The first day I took Risperdal (my 1st antipsychotic) I felt it going down my throat and I remember feeling "Ah, this pill is my friend." You know what I mean.
As for pregnancies and meds, I haven't a clue. I hope you research it though.
Yes, this is the best site, in MHO, for psych info.
Mimi
Yes, yes, yes, the prolactin problem...that was the word I was looking for...apparently this is not a problem with Geodon. As far as the QT thingy, I have a hurt murmur and sometimes I get irregular heat rhythms, but I haven't noticed anything while taking this...no more than usual...I am wondereing where the cut off is...how bad does one have to be to preclude the use of this med? Dunno. Read all you can before taking it...or anything for that matter!!! Wanna hear the ultimate bummer? I really want to start trying for a baby and I am now faced with how to handle my meds...any advice? I have read every single solitary article about Geodon and pregnancy but there isn't enough conclusive evidence either way...the rat trials were 3x normal human consumption and did cause some problems...there are 28 women who took zyprexa and a few who took risperdal with no problems...sometimes I wonder how a drug that makes me feel normal can be bad for my fetus...just don't know...I am also familiar with the effects of depression on the fetus as well...some of them won't apply to me...i.e.; depression won't cause me to stop eating or drink alcohol or take illicit drugs...but I am worried about the cortisol levels in my body affecting the fetus...there are studies out there that prove it does make for one cranky baby...sorry for the tangent...this is where I am at...any advice?
>
> So glad I found this board and people like me (people who won't surrender!)
>
> ~Shannon
>
Posted by m0nger on December 30, 2003, at 23:13:53
In reply to Re: Schizophrenia - Fluanxol » vwoolf, posted by Mimi on December 30, 2003, at 12:35:56
>I refused to take anything called an "antipsychotic"
>as I did not believe myself to be a "mental case"
>or want the stigma attached to that.I had the same reaction to Zyprexa when my doctor
prescribed it after I got home, and looked it up. Almost
didn't fill the script! But decided i would try it anyway.
I was so worried about the stigma of an "antipsychotic",
that I went to a different pharmacy far from where i live,
as opposed to then the one i usually go to, thats just a few
blocks from my house to fill it. There are some cute women
who work there (a couple of them i flirt with), and i pictured
the people who work behind the pharmacy counter whispering to
others who work there "hey, did you know that guy who comes in
here all the time is psychotic?" and them looking at me
different when i go there to get a half gallon of milk. LOLThe stigma about depression isn't so much there anymore, as
almost everybody knows somebody personally who is on an
anti-depressent like prozac. Some might say its going to far
with political correctness perhaps, but maybe changing the name of
the drug class would help, "psychotic" does carry a lot
of negative connotations, unfortunately. It brings to mind
criminally insane people like Norman Bates in a Hitchcock's
"Psycho" movie, for instance
Posted by leopard on December 31, 2003, at 1:30:33
In reply to Re: Schizophrenia - Fluanxol » Mimi, posted by m0nger on December 30, 2003, at 23:13:53
Chuckle. You crack me up I know exactly how you feel...alsomst didn't fill my rx's too!
Posted by vwoolf on December 31, 2003, at 3:15:32
In reply to Re: Schizophrenia - Fluanxol » vwoolf, posted by Mimi on December 30, 2003, at 15:48:09
Dear Mimi,
Thanks very much for the reading list - I have already ordered the first two of the books from Amazon, as neither of them are available locally, but it looks like they will only get here on the 11th Feb - the joys of living on the margins of the world!
Funny this strain of childhood abuse that seems to run through us all. It seriously makes me wonder about the biological nature of our illnesses. I think this is one of the reasons I am so sceptical about the use of medication, apart from the fact that I have huge issues of trust, particularly towards psychiatrists and male authority figures.
I loved the story about walking miles to another chemist's. I haven't faced the chemist yet (I leave that battle for another day), but I did something similar. Just before Christmas, I was feeling very scared and alone with my secret, and felt that I had to tell at least some doctor about the diagnosis and the fact that I had decided not to take the medication, just in case anything really crazy happened to me before my psychiatrist came back from his summer holidays. However, I really didn't want to see my GP, who knows all my family's issues intimately, and who I was sure would judge me. I went instead to a GP I used to see about twenty years ago. He gave me a really hard time about being someone else's patient, but he eventually heard me out and has agreed to handle any issues of this kind for me. It was such a relief to be able to talk to him that I howled for most of the session.
It was comforting to know that you have all had issues of fear of stigma - makes me almost feel sane again LOL.
As for avoiding stress, that's a hard one. I am the breadwinner of my family and can't afford to be unemployed, I have a stressful job, a difficult marriage, a gifted son (IQ 150+) who has just failed his school year, an 82 year old mother who is increasingly dependent on me.... need I continue?
I am also really enjoying this conversation and would really like to continue it. I will be flying to Knysna, 500 km east of Cape Town for a New Year's eve party tonight so will be offline for about 24 hours, but I'll be back home tomorrow afternoon and ready to continue.
I have also been an English teacher and school principal working with research institutes on the area of language acquisition, before returning here and managing several NGO's. The work I am doing at present is not related to this at all, and is causing me a huge amount of stress. I am completing a graduate degree in law as well, but have just failed two of my year end exams because I was not coping. I might just take the year off my studies next year - it might just be the last straw.
Looking forward to continuing this conversation.
Bestest
Virginia
> >Yes Virginia, it was living hell. I was a teacher at the time. Believe me, you do not want to go off the deep end. I had night terrors also, which are nightmares magnified exponentially. Language was my life.
>
> Yes, I was thrilled when I became able to easily read and write several months ago.
>
> You have been horribly traumatized in your life, to say the least.
>
> My father abused me emotionally/psychologically, forever (until I stopped seeing him at age 37). I was anorexic between the ages of 12 and 15 and thus had a hard time reaching adulthood. And yes, there was the constant depression.
>
> I have had many diagnoses, though the most accurate are double depression and PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). The main issue is the set of symptoms, really.
>
> I have been on an editorial advisory board of a psychiatric survivor newspaper for 6 years (I live in the States).
>
> Here's the short answer for reading material:
> http://www.nami.org/
> www.narsad.org
> An Unquiet Mind by Kay Redfield Jamison
> Touched with Fire by Kay Redfield Jamison
> I Can't Get Over It (about PTSD) by A. Matsakis, PhD
> Darkness Visible by William Styron
> The PDR (Physicians Desk Reference)
> The above resources are all starting places for your education about your disorder.
>
> Remove as much stress from your life as you can.
>
> I'm enjoying this conversation.
>
> Please take care of yourself. It would be terrible to lose your hardwon achievements.
>
> Feel free to ask me more.
>
> Mimi
>
Posted by Mimi on December 31, 2003, at 7:57:16
In reply to Re: Schizophrenia - Fluanxol, posted by vwoolf on December 31, 2003, at 3:15:32
Hi vwoolf,
I forgot to list this book, the most comprehensive and illuminating of them all:
The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression by Andrew Solomon
This book is fairly new. A must read.
Hope your New Year's celebration is joyful.
Mimi
Posted by Dr. Bob on December 31, 2003, at 9:24:30
In reply to Best book on Depression » vwoolf, posted by Mimi on December 31, 2003, at 7:57:16
> I forgot to list this book, the most comprehensive and illuminating of them all:
>
> The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression by Andrew SolomonI'd just like to plug the double double quotes feature at this site:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#amazon
The first time anyone refers to a book without using this option, I post this to try to make sure he or she at least knows about it. It's just an option, though, and doesn't *have* to be used. If people *choose* not to use it, I'd be interested why not, but I'd like that redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020918/msgs/7717.html
Thanks!
Bob
Posted by vwoolf on January 1, 2004, at 11:02:36
In reply to Best book on Depression » vwoolf, posted by Mimi on December 31, 2003, at 7:57:16
Hi Mimi,
Back home at last. Parties are always a bit tedious, but are helpful in bringing together friends who would otherwise never see each other. After a late night we all went and had a swim in the ocean this morning early, which felt like a good, positive start to the new year. Thank you for your wishes - may you also have a peaceful year of growth, good health and interesting things.
Thanks very much for signalling this book – I’ll have a look at the bookstores when they re-open on Saturday to see if I can find it. If not I’ll wait until my order from Amazon arrives before placing a new one. Unfortunately the shipping seems to cost more than the value of the books, so I think I will have to place larger orders in future to make it worth while. Sorry you got rapped over the knuckles about the double inverted comma’s – if you do write to Dr Bob, let him know that I went to Amazon via the Psycho Babble website which you had pointed me towards, so he should be getting his commission on the two books I ordered at $19.60 (it would be better if he could collect a percentage of the shipping costs at $22.97 – LOL).
Must go and sort out the chaos my son produced while we were away.
Bestest
Virginia
> Hi vwoolf,
>
> I forgot to list this book, the most comprehensive and illuminating of them all:
>
> The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression by Andrew Solomon
>
> This book is fairly new. A must read.
>
> Hope your New Year's celebration is joyful.
>
> Mimi
>
Posted by Mimi on January 1, 2004, at 18:26:41
In reply to Re: Best book on Depression, posted by vwoolf on January 1, 2004, at 11:02:36
>Hi Virginia,
Sounds like you enjoyed a good ringing in of the New Year!
I had a friend over for a carrot juice toast at 5:00 pm and then visited with the neighbors.
I'm very exhausted these days as my one-year marital engagement was called off two months ago--right before the holidays! This has been an emotionally challenging time, but I'm coming through it well and fine. It is all for the best, though it has been a taxing ordeal. I'm going to go to a day spa this coming weekend.
Good you talked to someone in person about your current diagnosis. Sharing eases the burden.
There is an interesting post on Schizophrenia further down this board. You've probably seen it. It contains a good article.
Stay well,
Mimi
Hi Mimi,
>
> Back home at last. Parties are always a bit tedious, but are helpful in bringing together friends who would otherwise never see each other. After a late night we all went and had a swim in the ocean this morning early, which felt like a good, positive start to the new year. Thank you for your wishes - may you also have a peaceful year of growth, good health and interesting things.
>
> Thanks very much for signalling this book – I’ll have a look at the bookstores when they re-open on Saturday to see if I can find it. If not I’ll wait until my order from Amazon arrives before placing a new one. Unfortunately the shipping seems to cost more than the value of the books, so I think I will have to place larger orders in future to make it worth while. Sorry you got rapped over the knuckles about the double inverted comma’s – if you do write to Dr Bob, let him know that I went to Amazon via the Psycho Babble website which you had pointed me towards, so he should be getting his commission on the two books I ordered at $19.60 (it would be better if he could collect a percentage of the shipping costs at $22.97 – LOL).
>
> Must go and sort out the chaos my son produced while we were away.
>
> Bestest
>
> Virginia
>
>
> > Hi vwoolf,
> >
> > I forgot to list this book, the most comprehensive and illuminating of them all:
> >
> > The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression by Andrew Solomon
> >
> > This book is fairly new. A must read.
> >
> > Hope your New Year's celebration is joyful.
> >
> > Mimi
> >
>
>
Posted by Emme on January 1, 2004, at 20:07:17
In reply to Best book on Depression » vwoolf, posted by Mimi on December 31, 2003, at 7:57:16
A Mood Apartby Whybrow (I forget author's first name)
It weaves together the biological/anatomical, psychological, and emotional aspects of mood disorders in a compassionate, informative, beautifully written book.
I thought it was better than The Noonday Demon.
Posted by Mimi on January 1, 2004, at 21:13:52
In reply to Re: Best book on Depression, posted by Emme on January 1, 2004, at 20:07:17
Posted by Dr. Bob on January 2, 2004, at 0:36:23
In reply to Re: Best book on Depression, posted by Emme on January 1, 2004, at 20:07:17
> A Mood Apart
>
> by Whybrow (I forget author's first name)I'd just like to plug the double double quotes feature at this site:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#amazon
The first time anyone refers to a book without using this option, I post this to try to make sure he or she at least knows about it. It's just an option, though, and doesn't *have* to be used. If people *choose* not to use it, I'd be interested why not, but I'd like that redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020918/msgs/7717.html
Thanks!
Bob
Posted by vwoolf on January 2, 2004, at 3:09:55
In reply to Re: Best book on Depression » vwoolf, posted by Mimi on January 1, 2004, at 18:26:41
Hi Mimi
I think our conversation seems to be going off the topic of medications and turning quite personal. If you think it appropriate, I would be very happy to continue in a more private vein, although still hidden behind aliases. I can be contacted on [email protected] - if you would rather not, continue on the list as usual.
Bestest
Virginia
Posted by Dr. Bob on January 4, 2004, at 0:17:24
In reply to Re: Best book on Depression, posted by vwoolf on January 2, 2004, at 3:09:55
> if you would rather not, continue on the list as usual.
Maybe at Psycho-Social-Babble rather than right here? Thanks,
Bob
This is the end of the thread.
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