Posted by linkadge on July 24, 2008, at 21:18:47
In reply to CAN SSRI's CAUSE BIPOLAR TO SHOW UP OR JUST SIDE A, posted by tboybmx on July 24, 2008, at 15:21:00
This is a good question. There are many differing opinions on the issue.
It is important first to separate the reactions that would be considered 'manic reactions' from those that are 'akathesia reactions'. Akathesia is a common start up side effect from SSRI antidepressants. Some people think it is from the ability of SSRI's to suppress dopaminergic function in certain neural structures. Individuals with preexisting compromised dopaminergic function may be very sensitive to the effects of SSRI's.
Symptoms of akathesia are extreme restlessness and a feeling of being uncomfortable in ones own skin. Other start up side effects can include extreme anxiety.
As for antidepressants causing bipolar there is a lot of discrepency. One side believes that antidepressants cannot cause manic reactions in normal people they only unleash such symptoms in an underlying bipolar disorder.
The other side argues that antdipressants can cause manic reactions in otherwise normal people that mimic the symptoms of bipolar. There are studies that suggest this can be true. For instance, users of the antidepressant nardil often report feeling euphoric for the first few months. It is a side effect that can show up even in unipolar patients. Wellbutrin and parnate can also cause euphoria in patients and even test subjects. There are currently rodent studies underway to try and determine exactly why antidepressants can sometimes cause mania.
I have had manic and psychotic reactions to antidepressants. I stopped them and it subsided. I havn't had such symptoms before, or since, therefore I conclude it was the drug.
I personally agree with the latter theory. I think that drugs effects can be unpredictable and should never be taken as a sign of any underlying disorder. I think if one is bipolar then there should be a clear history of manic epsiodes when drug free. I think that doctors are trying to cover their behinds by suggesting that their drugs cannot cause such side effects.
That being said, it certainly *could* be a sign of bipolar. Many bipolar patients do present to their doctors in the depressed phase, and an antdidepressant could definately trigger mania. So, I think it is a possability, I just don't think that antidepressant induced mania is *always* as sign of bipolar disorder.
Linkadge
poster:linkadge
thread:841813
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080718/msgs/841871.html