Mental Health Support Group: got good news today
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.
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!
= new reply since forum marked as read
especially for your immediate positive reaction.
The particulars are interesting too, even for me a non-medical person.
I am so happy for you! I wonder just how many of us are walking around with something like this.
I have always been "thin-skinned." And my mood changes depending on what is said to me. I've never needed medication but this sure describes me.
When I'm around supportive folks, I feel good, validated. And when I'm around people who don't like me and who tend to be rude, I feel down.
Hmm.
All my best wishes for continued improvement and enlightenment for you! 
I have no idea if an MAO inhibitor drug would be a vast improvement for me or not. He mentioned it and discussed it for a few minutes, but since I was stable on my current meds, he said for now he would leave me on them. If there are no strong assurances this symptom would be alleviated by an MAOI, then I won't take it. I can't eat CHOCOLATE and cheese on this diet, fergawd's sake!
I'm just like you with respect to the people around me. Best wishes to you, Peggie 
