Expert: Ivan Goldberg, M.D. - 10/30/2007

Question
My sister has been on Prozac off and on for many years, from 20mg to 40 mgs. She suffers from Depression. But I have started to notice a pattern with her, it has nothing to do with the seasons so I am opting out of the SAD diagnosis, but this is what I have observed: Roughly every 4-6 months, she is in an awesome mood, bubbly , outgong, takes better personal interest in herself, sense of humor is there as when was a child, people call her wacky, sily , bizarre but as her sister I know this is the real her , she was a silly, wacky kid. But then something happens and even though she is still on her meds her mood changes to a non social , not smiling, not laughing really, gains weight, quite the opposite of her silly self. I asked her if I could talk to her dr. , my sister is 48 , and I am 50 and I would like to ask her Dr. if this sounds like a Bi Polar disorder? For the past 15 years, I am realizing her personality goes from the funny, life of the party gal , as we put it years ago , she was high on life, always fun to be around, silly to the point that we would laugh till we cried .However she does not do stuff like I have read about the (typical mania) and again then the personality changes to a dull, unsocialable, semi depressed, sleeps alot, gains weight and acts half alive. To me this doesn`t sound like depression alone? Dr. am I off track on this or could it be more than depression?    I realize you can not give out medical advice but are you allowed to give your opinion or questions I could ask of her Dr. ?

Answer
Hi Jen . . .

I don't think you should see the doctor but not to to ask questions. I think that you should ask to meet with the doctor to clarify for the doctor some of your sister's behaviors.

If it were me, I'd probably start with a statement such as, "You may already be aware of what I am about to tell you, but I think it is important that you hear it from someone other than my sister."

Best regards . . .
Ivan
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