[Nimportequoi]

The DSM-IV-TR defines Atypical Depression as a subtype of Major Depressive Disorder with Atypical Features, characterized by:

1. Mood reactivity (i.e., mood brightens in response to actual or potential positive events)
2. At least two of the following:
   • Significant weight gain or increase in appetite;
   • Hypersomnia (sleeping too much, as opposed to the insomnia present in melancholic depression);
   • Leaden paralysis (i.e., heavy, leaden feelings in arms or legs);
   • Long-standing pattern of interpersonal rejection sensitivity (not limited to episodes of mood disturbance) that results in significant social or occupational impairment.

Can you identify with this? It's totally true for me... but it's weird. It looks like an agglomeration of Depression, AvPD and Binge Eating Disorder to me.

I wonder what's the background behind it. I always considered my depression to be rooted in my AvPD and the fact that people seem to hate fat people, which I feel on a daily basis, by slights, comments and all that lot. And since my PD makes me vulnerable to these things anyway, it's no wonder I got depressed. The BED by itself in return is based on my personality style, too (poor coping skills regarding emotions).

So I'm curious about you.... I could imagine there is a direct linkage between people with Atypical depression and BED too. What do you think?

[LucyD]

I'm sorry no one has replied and including me. I have felt the hatred people have for large people and those people have the problem not us. They are mean and bitter and have nothing better to do than try to degrade others.

I don't know the answer to your question really. I just know I have BED and depression and PTSD and OCD. But I am trying not to look at myself as a walking diagnosis but rather a feeling person if that makes any sense.

[Nimportequoi]

Hey Lucy
Thanks for answering and showing loyalty. Hmm...it's not bad nobody answered... if nobody has to contribute something to the topic then that's the way it is... It's interesting you said you felt the "hatred" of others too. I sometimes wonder if it's only me being paranoid about being rejected or if people really hate you for being fat... it's so incomprehensible to me.
I find atypical depression very interesting.. IDK how to describe it... I'm very interested in psychology so when I saw this description of the atypical depressed I wondered what was first... the binge eating or the depression part. Or is it totally different and both are caused by biology in first place?
...well anyway, my speculative thoughts...

[LucyD]

I have read that BED can be caused by a chemical imbalance and so can depression. BED can also be hereditary. Depression can be caused by events, too. I don't really know what "atypical depression" is and I majored in Psychology as an undergrad. in college but that was over 20 years ago. Do you have a definition of atypical depression?

[Nimportequoi]

Do you have a definition of atypical depression?

Yeah well the description in my first post is out of the DSM... I've read myself into it a bit and as far as I can describe... it's like the usual depression, with despair and stuff, but with reverse vegetative symptoms. E. g. instead of getting agitated, one is apathetic, instead of having insomnia, one sleeps too much....
Allegedly there is a gene which has been linked to serotonin levels in the brain, it has been linked to AvPD, AsPD and Binge Eating Disorder. Since atypical depression is a lot about binge eating, maybe this is relevant here too.
Now that I got some info on Atypical Depression it really terrifies me. It's chronical and the usual onset is in adolescence. That fits me. I got depressed when ten, been dxed with "normal" depression when 14, and am now am 18. Atypical depression has been my life for 8 years now. It's devastating. I'm considering to see a doc again, which I have been refusing since my last therapy experience... maybe I'll try meds for it this time, too.

[LucyD]

Originally Posted by Nimportequoi

Yeah well the description in my first post is out of the DSM... I've read myself into it a bit and as far as I can describe... it's like the usual depression, with despair and stuff, but with reverse vegetative symptoms. E. g. instead of getting agitated, one is apathetic, instead of having insomnia, one sleeps too much....
Allegedly there is a gene which has been linked to serotonin levels in the brain, it has been linked to AvPD, AsPD and Binge Eating Disorder. Since atypical depression is a lot about binge eating, maybe this is relevant here too.
Now that I got some info on Atypical Depression it really terrifies me. It's chronical and the usual onset is in adolescence. That fits me. I got depressed when ten, been dxed with "normal" depression when 14, and am now am 18. Atypical depression has been my life for 8 years now. It's devastating. I'm considering to see a doc again, which I have been refusing since my last therapy experience... maybe I'll try meds for it this time, too.

Gee, my depression sounds atypical, too. But I am an old person now. I see a doctor and find that helpful. Have changed doctors and therapists several times when I needed to. I had depression in adolescence, too. I didn't deal with it good as I was growing up. But later on saw therapists and doctors and have been doing better. Have learned a lot in therapy, too. There have been plenty of ups and downs in my life to be sure. I haven't been depressed forever.