Posted by Ritch on June 11, 2002, at 10:16:15
In reply to All mood stablizers and no antidepressants?, posted by JennyJen on June 11, 2002, at 7:27:49
> Hey There,
>
> I have read that site numerous times ... and it is very interesting. The idea of using multiple mood stablizers and no antidepressants is logical.
>
> I have failed multiple antidepressants except for a partial response to parnate. After reading the "PsychEducation" web site, I found I met Dr Phelp's criteria for Bipolar II. So I preceded to try lamictal, lithium and depakote. All of the above made me feel more depressed and apathetic.
>
> So now I am faced with going back to parnate ... or going on to his advice of trying multiple mood stablizers. Will I ever get better? Will I this never ending medication trial ever end? Am I really Bipolar II? I wish I had some answers and some relief.
>
> Sorry Everyone,
> Just alittle frustrated
>
> JennyJenny,
You didn't mention a trial of Depakote/lithium + an antidepressant such as Parnate. I have been on an antimanic+antidepressant always. I have never been on an antidepressant by itself, and I haven't had success with being just on mood stabilizers alone. Akiskal doesn't represent the consensus view among pdocs. The practice of antidepressant only therapy for folks with hypomanic symptoms is generally considered a bad idea nowadays, however. If you are depressed (despite being bipolar), it needs to be treated. In the real world it usually does get treated despite all of the scare about taking an antidepressant.
Mitch
poster:Ritch
thread:109388
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020609/msgs/109466.html