Its recently come to my attention that I am apparently manic depressive. Not the manic-attacking-people-making-scenes-suicide-attempts kind of manic depressive, just the one-day-not-moving-next-day-bouncing-off-the-walls kind.

My question is this--is it worth treating? I've had a really back reaction to antidepressants before (seizure-like reaction) and I fear that, even though it was a result of a number of factors that are no longer a problem. At the same time, I've never been 'normal', so I don't know what I'm missing.

So is it worth treating, or is the cure worse than the illness?

TYIA

The question to ask YOU is:

Is your life managable the way you are without treatment? Are you fairly happy, at least? Is your family and life being adversely affected by your diagnosis?

If the answer is "yes", I'd say it is at least worth a TRY for treatment to see it you can have a better life. You can always stop the treatment if it isn't effective.

Um, no, sometimes, and yes. Darn.

Thanks Sher @->-

I think that Sherasi asked you some confusing questions. The answers are not all "yes" and not all "no." Anyway, the main points are 1) everyone does not feel all that happy or energetic all of the time so that 2) unless you are really functioning below par mentally and/or emotionally, stay away from drugs, because they may either backfire or make you dependent or give you a false sense that everything is all right. I think that I touched upon your thoughts. So go without any drug "help" until which time you feel or a trusted loved one feels that you need such help. As long as you remain the best judge of your ability to function "normally," you do not need drugs.

Tsaeb, you are right.. I did ask confusing questions... but by the time I realized it, I couldn't change it.

I should have asked it a different way.

quote:

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Originally posted by MommyTimesTwo:
So is it worth treating, or is the cure worse than the illness?

TYIA

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depression and anxiety are formidable foes.
perhaps you could consider easing into treatment/medication and see how you feel.