1. Understanding the Symptoms of Atypical Depression
Atypical depression often goes undiagnosed in patients because of the reverse vegetative symptoms that set this disease apart from traditional depression. Instead of being unable to experience pleasure at all, your mood might be enhanced by positive experiences, temporarily ceasing your symptoms. Affected individuals are also more inclined to cope with their disease by eating more, sleeping more and gaining weight--three symptoms that are the direct opposite of traditional depression. Leaden paralysis and sensitivity to rejection are also common among people with atypical depression. Of those affected, approximately 70 percent are women, many have been experiencing symptoms since childhood and many have another chronic mental health condition such as panic disorder, social phobia or body dysmorphic disorder.
2. A Physical Link to Atypical Depression
A 2000 study of atypical depression found that a link does exist between thyroid dysfunction and atypical depression. Although it is still undetermined which condition is responsible for the other, it is understood that individuals with atypical depression have a greater chance of having an increased amount of antithyroid antibodies in their bloodstream. As a patient, if you suspect that you're suffering from atypical depression, it is important to have a full medical evaluation to determine whether a thyroid disorder is present.
3. Treatment Options for Atypical Depression
Atypical depression is more difficult to treat than typical depression because it responds differently to antidepressants. In fact, a recent study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that Prozac didn't improve the symptoms of atypically depressed patients any better than the tricyclic antidepressant imipramine. The best treatments available today are MAOIs, though they are generally reserved for patients who don't respond to other types of antidepressants. Most doctors are hesitant to prescribe MAOIs because of the dangerous side effects that are associated with the medication. These drugs have negative interactions with many prescription medications and also require a strict diet because of interactions with many foods and beverages.
