I have bi polar & have tried many antidepressants non work 4 me...?

Question

the medical world is discovering that antidepressants dont work 4 bipolar depression. Has any 1 eals discoverd this 2 be the case 4 them?

Answer 1

I don't know enough about the drug side of it to know if there are bi-polar people who can't avoid medication but I have a friend with bi-polar and he avoids using drugs. Instead, he tries to get enough sunshine, plenty of exercise and regularly eats bananas which have a natural something (sorry, forgotten what at the moment) that is good for the brain chemistry. Last year's crop damage and subsequently high prices have restricted his bananas over recent months and he is speculating that this may be why he has struggled more this year.

I know exercise can make a bi-polar person "high" and maybe there is some way of incorporating it into your life to help regulate your moods.

Hopefully these points will help you find some strategies to help get your bi-polar under better control.

All the best.

Answer 2

Antidepressents are very individualistic. I am not surprised yours did not work, but there is some other drugs that can help. Often switching from one drug to another helps, sometimes using them in combinations help, or adjusting the daily dosages. It is also important to see at least weekly a therapist (in addition to the psychiatrist) so that you can talk, which is an important part of your therapy and feeling better. If you are not having any luck still, switch psychiatrists or see if your insurance will pay for a psychopharmacologist, which is a doctor that specializes solely in these medications.

Answer 3

I totally understand your situation. I have tried every class of medication availible. I am currently taking Lexapro, risperidone, and nortryptiline and those seem to be working. Many younger doctors do not like to prescribe the older medications like the tricyclics, but that has been the only thing that has worked for me. Also try using a light therapy box. The light is bright, but it helps to deal with depression. If you spend most of your time indoors, you are not getting enough sunlight and may need the light box. It doesn't have the harmful UV rays, but it has the rest of the spectrum of light that you would get from the sun.

Answer 4

Get a good psychiatrist. They're the ones who work with the medications these days. You'll have better success with than with a reg. physician. There has been a lot of work with anti-convulsants such as Topamax or Trileptal for bi-polar patients taken in combination anti-depressants. Perhaps one of those treatments would work for you. Check with your psychiatrist. Counseling also helps. Are you Type II? Unfortunately, it can take a few tries before you get the right balance. Hang in there...it's worth it!

Answer 5

Yes it took several trials before I found one that worked, I know it is frustrating and potentially dangerous but you need to keep trying. You also need to remain positive there is something that will help, if you feel you cant cope with trialling at home you may need to have a hospital stay. I didn't want to do that so I persevered at home. Also remember some take time to get into your system its not a quick fix, be kid to yourself while trialling new meds, relax read a book, take a warm bath whatever works for you, aromatherapy assisted me also lavender is very calming. Equally I also got those around me to assist by not adding more pressure on me than I could handle, you may need to say no to requests that you wouldn't usually do but this is a time you need to look after yourself. Do not forget to exercise, even if you have to force yourself out a brisk 1/2 hour walk will do wonders and drink plenty of water. Good Luck!

Answer 6

I found out a few years ago, I had bi-polar disorder. I had suffered with depression and anxiety for over 15 years. I tried over a dozen different anti-depressants with no luck at all. Most of them made me feel worse. I finally got a doctor who knew the right questions to ask me and she diagnosed the disorder. I now take an ANTI-DEPRESSANT AND a MOOD STABLIZER. This combination has been life-saving for me!!! Don't give up! Keep on trying and you can find a combination that works for you. Take care....

Answer 7

My husband was given antidepressants which triggered a terrible manic episode. The doctor who was treating him did not understand the difference in depression and the "lows" of cycling," He ended up in a hospital and it took months (and a better psychiatrist) to get him on the right mixture of lithium, an anti-anxiety drug and antidepressant to get him even. Be careful and don't be afraid to get a second opinion, if you don't like what your doctor gives you. BUT - keep after it and get the right medication. It was worth all of the awful mess to finally get my husband emotionally health again.

Answer 8

have you tried mood stabalizers? Ask your doc about them. My hubby has to take them and an antidepressant, and something for sleep. He is also bi-polar. The anti-depressants alone did not work. He is well now. Good Luck!

Answer 9

I suffer from SEVERE depression. It took years and trying many medications and combinations of medications before I found something that I responded to. I even tried ECT - DON'T DO THAT. Be patient and work with your doctor.

I don't know if you're religious or not, but also when I started to develop a relationship with God and started praying I started to get better.

Answer 10

http://www.natural-herbal-remedies.net/adhd-child.html
look at this website..i dont believe anti depressants are the only way, as a matter of fact, and this is my personal opinion, i think they make things worse..
i found this website to be very informative..
good luck