Atypical Depression/Rejection Sensitivity?

[HoosierCanuck]

Has anyone else ever heard of this? Ever been diagnosed with it? Someone on another forum suggested that this could be my problem. I did a little searching online and whatever I could find that wasn't in confusing scientific terms pretty much sounded like me.

 

[Akathist]

Has anyone else ever heard of this? Ever been diagnosed with it? Someone on another forum suggested that this could be my problem. I did a little searching online and whatever I could find that wasn't in confusing scientific terms pretty much sounded like me.

This term is not in the current diagnostic manuel. (Atypical Depression would fall under, Depressive Disorder, NOS). I think someone might have written something to suggest that this pattern is consistant enough to be considered for a future diagnostic criteria.

Personally, I think it is best to leave diagnosis to the professionals. Talk with your therapist about your depression about explain how you respond to rejection or thoughts of rejection.

Rather then find a label (diagnosis), I suggest focusing on improving your day to day functioning and talking things out with your therapist.

(If you are not seeing a therapist in real life, please please find one. If you can't afford one, see if a local minister has training in counseling and see them.)

 

[HoosierCanuck]

I can't afford a therapist. Unfortunately I don't know of any local ministers that are qualified to counsel. :-(

I've been to shrinks in the past but it's obviously not helped as I've been living with this for over 20 years. I'm currently on a low dose of Prozac. That appears to not be working anymore either. It seems to me that once you're on meds around here, the docs just pretty much want to get your insurance money. They really don't want to listen to anything you say and won't spend more than 5 minutes with you. At least that has been my experience. It's frustrating.

 

[Mrs. Luther073082]

Are you talking about psychiatrists? Because therapists typically spend an hour with their patients and they do not prescribe medications.

 

[HoosierCanuck]

docs in general. I've been to psychologists for therapy but I don't see where that has helped me. It may have helped 'at the time' but there is obviously some long-term or chemical thing going on that causes me to get really, really depressed in cycles. I can't seem to find anyone who will listen. It was my OBGYN who prescribed the Prozac this time around. She said at the time I had the option of treating hormonal symptoms by being on the Pill or try treating the more depressive symptoms by being on antidepressants. I remember the Pill giving me headaches and making me really irritable so I choose the antidepressant route. I guess I may need to see about changing out the meds but honestly I'm scared of doing even more damage to myself. Does that make any sense to anyone?

 

[Mrs. Luther073082]

Yeah, that makes a lot of sense, actually.