how do antidepressants affect bipolars?

Question

my exboyfriend of 2 years was very depressed for over a year of our relationship.he began taking antidepressants & within weeks his personality did a complete 180. he broke up with me impulsively, then the next day acted as if we were still together,& within days he asked me back out,then just days later, he dumped me again. just days after that he went around telling any1 & every1 that he was "going 2 get laid" over the weekend (even though he and i never had sex)& he went through 4 girls in just 4 weeks of being single.people see his behavior&believe that he is bipolar and that his antidepressants triggered his depression into mania. however recently, he hasn't looked as jumpy as he first did after the break up, and he's sort of settled down but still goes out of his way to get my attention (blocks me on IM for no reason, cuts me off in the parking lot) i'm just wondering, if antidepressants trigger people 2 go manic, how long usually until they switch back to the depressed state?

Answer 1

I've been disabled with bi-polar disorder for seven years. I studied a lot about it and I've been through lots of medications trying to find something (or a combination of somethings) that worked for ME.

Everyone reacts to medications differently and yes, some can trigger mania. It's really a pain in the butt going through lots of different trials of medications but jeez... when you finally find something that works, the difference it can make in your life is incredible.

Sounds like your bf NEEDS to go back to his doc and tell him whats going on. There are lots of different things they can try and sometimes a combination of a couple of things works best (for example: mood stabilizer and anti-depressant).

The goal is not to keep someone is one phase or the other, but to find a nice happy medium. Just to feel "normal" again.

Answer 2

Hi honey!

I feel your situation. I was "your boyfriend" once (the behavior!!). I was depressed for about 2 years, and I started taking Lexapro. At this time, I didn't know I was bi-polar. After the Lexapro, I became a "wild child." I broke up with my boyfriend every weekend, and we'd argue every day on the phone. I became promiscuous, but still wanted my boyfriend. I had never acted like this before in my life. After about 3 weeks, I calmed down, and the medicine took its effect. The effects weren't good so I got off Lexapro. Then, I started being more depressed and angry than ever, and I went to a pyschiatrist, and she prescribed me Risperdal for bi-polar and Zoloft for depression. The first couple of days, I was bright-eyed and bushy tailed. Then, on the 4th day. I calmed down a lot. I still shake my leg, have hand tremors, and lack of social interaction, but I'm a lot better.

So to answer your question, it took me about 3 weeks to switch back to "normal." He shouldn't go into depression when his manic stage wears off and he's still taking antidepressants. I also think he should be taking an antipsychotic to calm his depression and counteract the mania.

Answer 3

I am sorry reading your story, yes in many cases it does induce mania. we are sometimes given antideppressants when in a major depressive phase (it should be monitored), the risk of these ssri's it can bring about rapid mood swing which accounts for erratic, risk taking impulsive behaviour. you might consider going to a support group for family & loved ones of people with mental illness. good luck.