Posted by dewdropinn on July 31, 2007, at 12:11:10
In reply to Why do all anti-depressants make me anxious, posted by JohnSky on July 31, 2007, at 9:15:11
Hey John,
As I may have mentioned in a previous post, your response to antidepressants is 100% consistent with the bipolar diagnosis -- even if you are predominantly depressed, your response to antidepressants almost definitively confirms your doctor's suspicions. I would highly recommend picking up a copy of "Why am I Depressed?" by Jim Phelps -- it provides incredible insights into this phenomena and also details options for treatment.
As Phillipa noted, Lamictal does have antidepressive properties when you get up to the higher doses (e.g. 200mg+), and is definitely worth exploring. I experienced profound benefits at 400mg. Lithium has antidepressant properties as well, and may prove effective once you get into the therapeutic range. Doctor's frequently combine Lamictal and Lithium for added mood stabilization and antidepressant oomph -- so this is certainly an option if Lithium alone proves insufficient. All mood stabilizers can be augmented by atypical anti-psychotics, which pose their own share of problems, but may be a viable options. I would view your agitation and anxiety as a good thing, even though it's absolutely frustrating right now, because it suggests long sought after answers. I think that you're closing in on a viable course of treatment for long-term recovery.
Drew
> Over the last 1.5 years I have been trying to gain ground on my depression and anxiety.
> I am on Lithium, Seroquel, and ativan. I have been on Lithium about 3 months. Over the last year I have tried so many anti-depressants. They are only a few I have not tried.
> Each one I try makes me very anxious and agitated. I keep on the medication for around six weeks but the anxiety never backs down and then I just can’t take any more and I get off the medication. I’m very frustrated because I am still depressed and I am hoping an anti-depressant will help with depression and anxiety. I have been diagnosed bipolar so maybe the anti-depressants are just causing problems by antagonizing the bipolar aspects. I guess at this point I am hoping the Lithium will do the trick in a couple months or so and help more with depression and anxiety. I sure am exhausted and frustrated with the endless trials of anti-depressants. Any thoughts on what might be going on?
>
> John
poster:dewdropinn
thread:773047
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070730/msgs/773087.html