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Pharmacy Link

DO SOME PERSONALITY TYPES RESPOND TO PROZAC BETTER THAN OTHER TYPES?

Yes. Certain types do seem to respond to Prozac more quickly and more positively. The transformations Prozac causes—and make no mistake, I have observed such transformations in depressed patients over the last thirty years—occur in a particular population. They happen with people who may be depressed and lethargic when they come into my office, but in the past have bad often undisclosed periods of higher energy—and the accomplishments to prove it These patients are not diagnosable manic-depressive. But they have a tendency in that direction, with perhaps only one or two symptoms of subclinical depression that affect their personalities and typically send them on a fruitless search for a cure through psychotherapy alone rather than medication. Yet some psychologists and psychiatrists, having failed to detect the subclinical depression or soft bipolar symptoms in the past or family history, misdiagnose these patients as having character or personality disorders only. Psychotherapy consists of focusing on drives and defenses—ignoring the formes frustes symptoms of mood disorders. In short, the correctable symptoms do not get treated.

These people often have a buried past of hyperthymia, a mildly “up” state with brisk energy, buoyant optimism, and an irritable temper. Hyperthymic people get a lot done and normally need only four to six hours’ sleep—like President Bill Clinton, who is most likely hyperthymic and constantly on the run. This is not an illness; it is an asset.

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