Has anyone here been diagnosed with Atypical depression???
 

i saw an article on it today and it looks really interesting. would love to know more:carrot:

here is an extract...

from about.com

What Is Atypical Depression?

In addition to the core symptoms of depression, atypical depression is defined by the ability to feel better temporarily in response to a positive life event, plus any two of the following criteria: excessive sleep, overeating, a feeling of heaviness in the limbs and a sensitivity to rejection.

Patients with atypical depression tend to have an earlier age of onset than those with other subtypes (it often first appears in the teenage years). These patients are also likely to have a history of social phobia, avoidant personalities and a history of body dysmorphic disorder

Despite the name, atypical depression is actually the most common subtype, according to Dr. Andrew A. Nierenberg, associate director of the depression clinical and research program at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston. In a 1998 study, he and his associates found that 42% of participants had atypical depression, 12% had melancholic depression, 14% had both depression subtypes, and the rest had neither. "It's more common than we all think. There's no doubt we underrecognize it,"said Dr. Nierenberg.1

Making a correct diagnosis of this subtype is critical in providing the patient with effective treatment. Although SSRIs and other newer medications are often the first line choice for depression treatment due to their favorable side-effect profiles, very little is yet known about how well these work for the patient with atypical depression.

What is known is that patients respond well to MAOIs, but not to tricyclics. Data on newer medications is sparse and inconclusive.2 How many patients out there may be suffering through drug trial after drug trial simply because their physician does not know which medication best treats atypical depressions or does not recognize this distinct subtype?

I thought this was going to be something different. Very interesting. I havn't heard of it.

no it's new to me too, but it does sound a little like my own symptoms so i'm definitely interested in learning more!

I hadn't heard of it before. :?: Interesting, Sweet Pea. :yes:
I'm going to ask my psycho about it when I see him next. I've already been diagnosed with dysthymia and major depressive disorder, but I can relate to some of those symptoms...

it's amazing isn't it - it seems that Atypical depression is typical. totally weird

i go through periods of insomnia but i also go through periods where for months i sleep 12-15 hours a day. and definitely the mood reactivity. something to think about. i wonder how many docs know about it?

Sounds very similar to my symptoms as well. One more thing to ask the doc about. Wouldn't it be great if they could diagnose these things through lab test? Instead of all the hit and miss.

if only! or better yet wave a magic wand and make it all go away...

I'm waiting for them to come up with that test before I die. :lol3:

I was recently diagnosed with dysthimia, and put on medication, but I have never heard of this one. I have most of the symptoms though, I wonder how much overlaps between the designation of one disorder to the next?