Mental Health Support Group: got good news today

[steve2470]

I saw my new shrink today, and it went extremely well. He was kind, very thorough, and seemed to get me right away. All my anxieties melted away.

The REALLY good news is this: he and I agreed that I probably have Atypical Depression, instead of the classic melancholic variety. So, it may be that my very worst symptom ("thin skin" that we've discussed here) very well may have a biological basis in my brain, and not as much due to environmental factors. He said as soon as I mentioned that, that he suspected it.

What are the symptoms of atypical depression?

The main characteristic of atypical depression that distinguishes it from melancholic depression is mood reactivity. In other words, the person with atypical depression will see his or her mood improve if something positive happens. In melancholic depression, positive changes will seldom bring on a change in mood. In addition, diagnostic criteria call for at least two of the following symptoms to accompany the mood reactivity:

Sleeping too much (hypersomnia)

Increased appetite or weight gain

Having a more intense reaction or increased sensitivity to rejection, resulting in problems with social and work relationships

Having a feeling of being weighed down, paralyzed, or "leaden"

http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/atypical-depression#1-2

The bolded part about rejection sensitivity is what I call "thin skin", in my slang.

We discussed *possibly* using an MAO inhibitor instead of my current meds in the future, and discussed the stringent diet that has to be followed. Apparently MAO inhibitors, while from the 1950's and requiring the stringent diet, impact dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine.

Stringent diet for MAO inhibitors: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monoamine_oxidase_inhibitor#Hypertensive_crisis_.26_tyramine

and:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyramine#Occurrence

Maybe I'll try an MAO inhibitor. I'll talk to him about it. Best wishes to all of you!