Posted by Else on August 2, 2001, at 23:25:34
In reply to It is the Effexor or just me?, posted by Jady on August 2, 2001, at 23:04:53
Well, I wouldn't necesssarily say that Depakote is more potent than Effexor. I felt fewer side effects on Depakote than on Effexor and my own story ressembles yours. I'm not so sure irritabilaty is a pathognomically bipolar symptom. It's a sign of frustration and perhaps bipolars are more impatient than, well... "controls" but what does that mean? I believe my irritability comes from frustration (related to my sucky life which I have described at length in other posts). Is there a history of bipolar disorder in your familly? It's a good way to make sure you are really bipolar. It does not *confirm* anything but it certainly points to that direction.
> Today I went to a new Psych. I've been on Effexor for a few years but at low doses. Normally (since I was a small child) I'm depressed but recently sometimes quite irritable and angry. The new psych has suddenly decided I'm bipolar! I've heard that Effexor and other antidepressants can cause mania or hypomania. Needless to say I'd rather make sure before starting on another, more potent medication (Depakote). Anyone else had hypomania (irritability, talkiness from subject to subject) as a side effect?
poster:Else
thread:73204
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010731/msgs/73212.html