Posted by loosmrbls on May 14, 2001, at 8:52:08
In reply to can AD's really make Bipolar II/cycling worse?, posted by avoet on May 14, 2001, at 6:36:22
To be short -- yes, antidepressants can definately make bipolar II worse.
I was on them for two years with the diagnsosis of "double depression" with symptoms much like what you describe. After a hypomanic episode, I eventually went into rapid cycling with mixed states while on celexa.I personally feel bipolar II are AT LEAST as susceptible to this, if not more, than bipolar I. I say this only because the "classical" studies involving bipolar I seem to show less patients going into mania (or worsening) than my experience or what I have gathered talking to other BP II's.
I personally fear AD's very much and the only one I am willing to try if needed in the future is Remeron. Even low doses of AD's throw me for a loop, and pretty quickly.
Practitioners, however, are usually a little behind emerging data and will (like in my case) still prescribe AD's -- some at least with a mood stabilizer on board first.
I would suggest talking with others, reading web sites, and talking with your pdoc to see if you indeed may be BP II and then go from there.
poster:loosmrbls
thread:62859
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010507/msgs/62875.html