I was wanting some input on bi-polar depression. I'm bi-polar and it seems every time the mania is controled the depression takes over. I'm on Geodon and Paxil ( just started this one). I think my doctor is excellant, but I am having a hard time getting out of the depression. Has anyone tried light thearpy with bi-polar depression and did it work? We have tried so many antidepressant with little improvement. I so tired of being depressed, so I am looking for suggestions from anyone that might have some ideas.
10 comments:
Ya know what Wanda, this is just my opinion, but I say try anything and everything. People are so individualistic that mainstream treatments might not work all the time. So try everything in my opinion. What works for someone else might not work for you in both western and eastern medicine. SO if one thing isnt working, try light therapy. If thats not working, try something else that you've heard of or have been suggested. Of course this is all after talking it over with your Dr.
I have a HUGE suggestion if you havent already tried it. It is called Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Or DBT for short. Though its target is behavioral issues, I've found that it can be quite impactful for depression related issues.
So..I dont know if thats helpful but I thought I'd share it with ya. Might wanna look DBT up and see if it valid for your situation and then talk to your counselor about it.
Good luck in finding the solution Wanda. Its out there, you just have to be persistant and open.
You've got my prayers!
Might be worth a try.
Hey wanda.. im with the others it's worth a try... i have heard a lot of good things about light therapy..
I have no idea.
but ...I'm sure Dr. B ..er ..Dr.M will talk to you about it!
I wish I had some real advice for you. Know that I am thinking of you and praying for the right solution for you.
I also wanted you to know that I have not forgotten about the tag you gave me. I shall get to it soon! Hugs
Hi Wanda, I had done the tag and posted it, but my husband asked me to take it down. I shall explain later.
:) hugs,
Wanda,
I'm about to try light therapy. Right now I'm at the end of my rope with the depression end of things. I rapid cycle, and I'm back to the depression part. I've never found anything that really helps with it because I can't tolerate antidepressants. The only time I've been truly manic is when I've been on antidepressants. Lithium helps with the unbearable irritability and paranoia that can come with hypomania or mixed episodes, but it doesn't do jack for depression. I hope the light therapy works for you--and for me too when I'm able to order my light visor.
Best wishes,
Cie
Dear Wanda,
Hi! I have never tried light therapy but have thought about it, and if you have the means, I'd say that's a great idea. If you might have SAD it would make sense that you're experiencing the dragging depression right about now, cause we're all in the dead of winter.
I'm bipolar as well. I take different meds than you. I've known my diagnosis for 20 years. I can't take antidepressants because they help lead to mania, but I do take mood stabilizers and there is a difference. I feel that my meds do a world of help for me, because even though I experience both ends, the meds blunt it greatly.
The best thing I can say for you is "HOLY COW, YOU ARE NOT ALONE." That's the biggest thing that is great about blogging - you do find a lot of people that go through similar things. I've had the experience of just trying to hold on, and I swear I've had every emotion there is, but most awful is to hover in any one of them. Plus depression is one of those things that can take a sane person and make them want to through themselves thru a window. That's not to give anyone ideas, but to bluntly state how horrible it is.
No one has the magic pill for you (not bloggers anyway, perhaps your Doc) but I'd like to say, "Hold on, don't give up no matter how rotten it gets. This world needs you." I for one, don't want to ever see this world lose anymore bipolar lovelies. We're the most sensitive people on Earth, and Lord knows this planet needs us.
Nice to kinda sorta make your aquaintance again. I always wish a bipolar (whether I know them or not) well.
Sincerely,
Tart
the only thing I have found that made any difference at all in the depression was the Cymbalta and that nearly killed me with diarrhea sooooooo..........:( Along with what others have said, antideppresants on the whole dont help me at all and at the beginning they sometimes send me manic ( good manic or dysphoric) and sometimes I think they even make things worse. For some bi-polars I think it is better to just take a mood stabilizer and skip the antidepressants but everyone is different as stated repeatedly. Its all trial and error. If the light does help you please post about it so those of us who havent tried it can. Personally I am highly skeptic but hey if I see one around I may try it too. At least it wont give me diarrhea eh?
wanda ...I need you to call me ... the post about the youth in the accident on the blog, is the son of a friend of yours. (fellow nurse, used to work for same employee ... no longer working there ...goes to our church ...trying to avoid names here ... your friend that moved to colorado? is also very good friends with her .... anyway ...it's her son ...serious stuff. ) CALL ME PLEASE so I don't have to wait till 7 pm to do so.
Pk
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