is it true if bipolar that antidepressants will have an adverse effect???

Question

I was diagnnosed with severe depression and bypolar disorder 7 yrs. ago. Still trying to get the right combination of meds., curently am on aderal, geodon, and i just started Symbalta. I know my meds need to be changed because I feel a little phycosis.

Answer 1

Anti-depressants can kick you into a severe manic phase. They are only recommended if your psychiatrist really knows what he is doing and has an idea what brain chemicals are involved in your particular case of Bipolar.

You need to see your psychiatrist monthly if you are not medically stable. Also, it is HIGHLY recommended that you received cognitive behavioral therapy also. It can really help a lot with your depressed phase.

This is not something that can be monitored by an M.D. it should be a psychiatrist with experience with Bipolar. It is also, very helpful if someone very close to you can journal your moods so that you can start to see patterns then you take that info to your doctor(psychiatrist).

I pray that you get a good combination of people on your side and meds that work for you so that you can function to the highest degree possible for you.

Answer 2

Depending on what type of Bipolar disorder you have, antidepressants can have an adverse effect on your treatement because antidepressents can "induce" mania.

I currently take Lithium, Lamictal, and Seroquel with Clonozapam as a PRN. I currently don't take Seroquel only if I feel like I am beginning to cycle or not sleeping.

I am diagnoised with Bipolar 1 1/2 as my doctor calls it because I don't experience true mania and I cycle in mixed states ~ depression and hypomanic symptoms at the same time. I was also recently diagnoised with Borderline Personality.

I initially took Lexapro with that combination but as both Lithium and Lamictal have antidepressant properties that covers it and antidepressants can cause more agitation for me.

I have heard of people with bipolar who are more depressed than manic that are treated with anti-depressants.

You medication combination suprises me because there is no mood stabilizer. Aderal is a stimulant, and geodon has more sedative properties, I remember it put me right to sleep as I am sensative to sedatives.

I don't know what part of the coast you are on but Hopkins in Baltimore, MD has an Affective Disorders Clinic which you can sign up to be evaluted in. I don't know how much it costs but it is something that might help you get ahead on this. It sounds like you really need a good doctor to look at your meds and straigten them out.

I was diagnoised at 21 and it has taken until now at 28 to get a good steady combination. Maybe the Cymbalta will help. If you don't feel like it working, don't be afraid to look around and search for people who treat bipolar disorder. I have found that I am generally my own best advocate.

Let me know if I can help.

Answer 3

I also am on an antidepressant, and a strong one at that, Cymbalta. I have a body-builder's figure, and am very attractive by most people's standards, so most would not guess that I have a history of manic depression. I, personally, have struggled with depression my entire life until I started taking this; I took the wrong meds for some time and I tried to commmit suicide a few times. I had unreasonable responses to every day challenges, i.e., suicidal thoughts for no reason, and I put myself down all the time. I must tell you, MAKE SURE your doctor is giving you the right kind of anti-depressant. I took the wrong one for many months and it made me go through a similar cycle of emotions like you are describing. Get several opinions, make several meetings with different psychiatrists. It may be expensive, but this is your life we are talking about. You'll be glad you did my friend.

Answer 4

If you feel a little psychotic after a few days on a new med, yeah, your meds need to be changed regardless of what type it is, especially since you're already on an antipsychotic and it's not helping. It's interesting that they kept you on a stimulant despite being bipolar, that works out okay for you?

In any case, antidepressants won't necessarily have an adverse effect, but they can provoke manic episodes in a lot of bipolar people. Like someone already said, a lot of people take antidepressants with bipolar disorder, but most need a mood stabilizer to prevent excessive mania. If your feelings persist, talk to your doctor and they may prescribe you something like lithium, depakote, or tegretol.

Answer 5

Aderal is just speed with a prescription. It does work for some but with many bi-polars it can produce a manic stage. Cymbalta is an antidepressant which, when mixed with Aderal, can kick start a manic stage. The Geogon is used as a short-term treatment of mania associated with bi-polar disorder. I am really confused about the combination of these medications. I would definitely get a second doctors opinion on what you are currently taking.

Answer 6

Anti-depressants can have an adverse effect for a bipolar person IF they're not on any other medications to treat the bipolar. I'm surprised your doctor has you on a stimulant and anti-depressant without a mood stabilizer. The Geodon has somewhat of a sedating effect, but is an anti-psychotic, not a mood stabilizer. If your doctor is not familiar with treating bipolar disorder, I would recommend finding someone who is because it can be difficult to find the right balance of meds.

Answer 7

Not true. You just haven't got the right combination yet. You need a mood stabilizer to go with the anti-depressant. A good psychiatrist will be able to help you. Good luck! Be patient. It takes some time.

Answer 8

If you have bipolar disorder and take antidepressants alone (without a mood-stabilizer) you have a risk of developing a manic, hypomanic or mixed episode.

Answer 9

yeah i was put on efexor and i went manic