Posted by cache-monkey on May 31, 2005, at 16:38:25
In reply to Re: which mood stabilizers do what? » cache-monkey, posted by BIGDaddyachmed69 on May 28, 2005, at 1:52:52
I've been actually playing around with my dose of Depakote. At doses of 750 mg+ (ER) it was definitely depressiogenic for me. This is not uncommon with Depakote -- I asked the pharmacist about it and he said that it happened frequently and would most likely go away with time.
I think this has to do with the fact that GABA (which Depakote increases) inhibits dopamine release. That can lead to lower mood and less joy, possibly the apathy you describe. But the GABA increase can be very good for anxiety and agitation (which could represent a "mixed state" -- hence the benefit from a mood stabilizer. I'm not sure if this is directly due to the GABA, or whether excessive dopamine can cause those.
For me cutting back all the way to zero left me with more agitation, for sure. I think that I might have a sweet spot in my Depakote dose that's somewhere between 250 and 500 mg (again ER), and that gets some efficiency against anxiety but isn't depressiogenic.
So, you might want to play around with your dose to see if you can find one that benefits your anxiety/temper and yet doesn't cause apathy.
Good luck,
cache-monkey> Depakote made you more depressed? I've never been diagnosed as having Bipolar Disorder, or exhibiting signs of acute mania. I'm already on an antidepressant, but I'm afraid if I go off of the Depakote I'll feel worse. The problem is I'm depressed to begin with...I asked my psychiatrist if Depakote could worsen my depressive symptoms and he responded with a flat-out "no". I have noticed I'm better able to control my temper and my anxiety level is down, but I feel very apathetic...I don't know what to do.
poster:cache-monkey
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