Posted by dive407 on April 4, 2005, at 21:31:13
At age 45 and with the support of my wife, I have finally come to realize that I likely have been cyclothymic, bipolar II or perhaps even bipolar since my teens. Based on the DSM IV criteria, my bet is cyclothymic.
I am in the midst of getting a referral to our local psychiatric outpatient clinic. But working with two adolescent psychiatrists with children in care has made me very leary of meds (Zyprexa, gabapentin, risperidal) and my own experience with an SSRI (Celexa) was neutral at best. I would like to try alternatives before medication.
I am intrigued by the supposed connection between Vitamin D deficiency, hypothyroid and hypomania and depressive cycling.
Living in the supposed high latitudes of southern Canada, I also never made the connection between winter daylight/Vit D and seasonal affective disorder. We recently returned from two weeks in Florida and I went into an unexplainable depression of about nine days. I emerged into my usual critical and irritable self. My sister (who suffers from similar cycling) suggested I try full spectrum flourescent lighting-I ask why not?
My wife says she prefers the depression because I am at least in touch with my feelings and much more sensitive and empathic.
Needless to say I want to look for answers where perhaps there are few. I look forward to sharing and (mostly) learning...
regards
Dave
poster:dive407
thread:479890
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/newbs/20041227/msgs/479890.html