Question about bi-polar disorder vs antidepressant side effects?!
Question: Question about bi-polar disorder vs antidepressant side effects!?
Everytime I take an SSRI antidepressant I get very agitated, hyperactive and anxious!. I read literature that says these are common side effects, yet others say these reactions to antidepressants may mean I have bi-polar disorder!. Off the antidepressants I have never had mania or extreme ups and downs!. I only get the agitated symptoms when I take an SSRI!. Which makes me think it is the SSRI causing those symptoms and not bi-polar disorder!. I've tried pretty much every single SSRI and they all cause extreme anxiety, agitation and hyperactivity in me!. Maybe genetically I don't metabolize them very well, because I know other people that take SSRIs and they feel calm and relaxed, not agitated and hyper!. What do you think!?Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
Think of it this way!. It doesn't matter!. If you have depression that is significant enough to require medication, particularly if it is reoccuring or chronic, you need to look for the med that does the trick!. (Therapy also is an important aid, so give it some serious thought, too!.)
I'm guessing that you've included Effexor, Cymbalta and Wellbutrin in your list, but they are SNRIs, so if you haven't tried them, give 'em a shot!. There also are tricyclics that work quite different and there are quite a few each working differently!. Emsam is an MAOI patch that doesn't have the food restrictions that most MAOIs do, so there's another option in the antidepressant universe!. Lamictal is an anticonvulsant with strong antidepressant effects and works for some with depression!. Lithium also has antidepressant properties and has also been used for depression for many, many years!. There are newer antipsychotics with antidepressant action as well, but I'd be reluctant to go there when Lamictal or Lithium or Lithium and an antidepressant are options!.
As for bipolar versus depression!.!.!. current thinking is that depression through schizophrenia lies on a spectrum!. It's called spectrum theory!. Part of the reason it is getting so much attention is because there are no clear lines between any of these illnesses!. There are ppl with depression who have adverse responses to antidepressants but otherwise show no bipolar signs!. There are others who simply don't respond to anti-d's but do to stabilizers!. It sounds like you may be one of the grey area people, but try the other types of antidepressants before jumping to conclusions!.
I'd go with a psychiatrist who specializes in mood disorders!. You can try the psychopharmachologist but IMO your a ways away from being a med difficult person!. Oh, and the first poster mentioned Seroquel!. It's an antipsychotic!. I'd be reluctant to go there without knowing about what it is, your options, and why you are choosing that over something else!. (I take this med, btw!. I don't have an issue with it!. I just think that antipsychotics for non-psychotic depression requires some serious thinking!.)
~Not an expert!. I just have bipolar and am educated on the pills I ingest!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I'm guessing that you've included Effexor, Cymbalta and Wellbutrin in your list, but they are SNRIs, so if you haven't tried them, give 'em a shot!. There also are tricyclics that work quite different and there are quite a few each working differently!. Emsam is an MAOI patch that doesn't have the food restrictions that most MAOIs do, so there's another option in the antidepressant universe!. Lamictal is an anticonvulsant with strong antidepressant effects and works for some with depression!. Lithium also has antidepressant properties and has also been used for depression for many, many years!. There are newer antipsychotics with antidepressant action as well, but I'd be reluctant to go there when Lamictal or Lithium or Lithium and an antidepressant are options!.
As for bipolar versus depression!.!.!. current thinking is that depression through schizophrenia lies on a spectrum!. It's called spectrum theory!. Part of the reason it is getting so much attention is because there are no clear lines between any of these illnesses!. There are ppl with depression who have adverse responses to antidepressants but otherwise show no bipolar signs!. There are others who simply don't respond to anti-d's but do to stabilizers!. It sounds like you may be one of the grey area people, but try the other types of antidepressants before jumping to conclusions!.
I'd go with a psychiatrist who specializes in mood disorders!. You can try the psychopharmachologist but IMO your a ways away from being a med difficult person!. Oh, and the first poster mentioned Seroquel!. It's an antipsychotic!. I'd be reluctant to go there without knowing about what it is, your options, and why you are choosing that over something else!. (I take this med, btw!. I don't have an issue with it!. I just think that antipsychotics for non-psychotic depression requires some serious thinking!.)
~Not an expert!. I just have bipolar and am educated on the pills I ingest!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
There is a form of bi-polar disorder than is called bi-polar depression!. It is a possibility that you have this type!. It also is a possibility that you would need to be on one of the MAO anti-depressant medications if the SSRIs aren't working properly for you!.
A good place to start is to find a psychopharmacologist!. This is a doctor who specializes in psychiatric medications!.
A lot of people have to be on a combination of medications to control side-effects!. A professional can help you find the medication or combinations that will help!.
Good luck,
TexWww@Answer-Health@Com
A good place to start is to find a psychopharmacologist!. This is a doctor who specializes in psychiatric medications!.
A lot of people have to be on a combination of medications to control side-effects!. A professional can help you find the medication or combinations that will help!.
Good luck,
TexWww@Answer-Health@Com
you may not have a strong enough dose, because the symptoms you describe are signs of depression, try seroquel, and celexa, ive been on different ones but this combo seems to work well, and ive suffered some extreme anxiety attacks at least one week a month but not anymore, good luckWww@Answer-Health@Com
Well if you do have Bipolar, then anti depressants can make it worse!. You should be on a mood stabilizer instead!. That is what my psychiatrist told me!. You should really see a psychiatrist and not just a family doctor to treat you because they specialize in that area!.Www@Answer-Health@Com