Posted by jay on August 27, 2003, at 12:57:36
In reply to Sobriety and Mania- related to above post, posted by HenryO on August 27, 2003, at 5:40:02
> Please share experiences and ideas about trying to remain clean and sober while experiencing mania. I'm convinced this mental illness is integral to his lack of success with staying permanently clean.
>
> Sobriety hasn't been working after many tries. We have to get some new ideas.
>
> He's given AA a thorough and dedicated try, repeatedly. (I know the difference, I've got twenty years) But the mania has never been adddressed. I never understood what I was looking at before I learned more about my own mental illness. (depression)
>
> This is a heartbreaking situation.
>
> Got any thoughts? I sure would like to hear >anything relavent. Thanks
>Hi: That's super-nice of you to advocate for your friend. Just my own thoughts....if it's a cyclical type of possible bipolar depression, one of the more calming atypical antipsychotics like Risperdal and (if he can afford it) Zyprexa are good places to start. Starting also with a possible lower dose anti-depressant, it's hard to say which ones will work until tried. There is controversy over their use in cycling bipolar disorder. It may require a combination of antidepressants. I hear Neurontin is being used in addictions, and have heard expert psychopharmacologists say that benzodiazepines are warrented even in addictions as long as the use is controlled.
There is a new, once-a-day form of Depakote (Epival in Canada) that looks good in combinations with the above medications. (I found Depakote to be very fast in calming during a cyclic episode.) I'd think that the less sedating antipsychotics like Geodon might not be a good choice for rapid-cycling depression.
Just my thoughts..anyhow...and I hope the best for your friend. Take good care.
Jay
poster:jay
thread:254628
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030823/msgs/254723.html