Quote:
Originally Posted by Rose76
Thanks Sconnie892,
Yeah, dysthymia is kind of the default diagnosis they go to because no one wants to be the first clinician to label you with something heavier. That was my diagnosis for a very long time, until my problems became so severe that they had to kick the diagnosis up a notch or two.
Cyclothymia has been described to me as being on the bipolar "spectrum." One pdoc thought that was maybe what I had. I'ld be interested to know has this been a longstanding issue with you? Do you recognize things that trigger you into one "mode" or the other.
Thanks for mentioning the feeling of "waste" that comes over you when things go to pot. It is such a demoralizing feeling. Also, people who see how things get in my life when I'm not "UP" get so disgusted with me and express such scorn. Like - "You are perfectly capable of keeping on top of things some of the time, so what's the problem that you got like this?" My boyfriend just shakes his head and mutters. He has no idea the pain that comes with decompensating. I am interested to know if you, or anyone checking this thread, has any strategy to try and stop that downhill roll . . . or at least delay it for some time. Good luck in your discussion with your T. I hope you can be understood, because I think it's hard for others to grasp this.
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Thanks for your thoughts about the dysthymia Dx. As my t says, "we've been dancing around this topic." I've been very resistant to the dysthymia Dx and part of that might be me thinking it is really something else. I am also very hesistant to start any meds.
I've dealt with depressed moods since I was about 13, but it took 20 years for me to get help. (That's a long story.) I've been in t for about six months now and am slowly learning to identify emotions, triggers, etc. It is taking me awhile since I have 20 years of practice hiding and bottling these things up. It's something I want to talk about with my t on Thursday - identifying the triggers for the downs and figuring out ways to manage them. We did the same thing with the anxiety I first presented with and now that is much more under control.
I too would be interested in hearing what others do to prevent the downs. For me the downs are often very rapid - happening in minutes or hours and then lasting days or a week or two.
I deal more with the "why is your office so messy. It was clean the other week" at work. It's very frustrating since my job is also very stressful right now.
