There's really nothing that makes them unsafe. I started on Depakote and Celexa when I was 17 and then Lexapro when the Celexa stopped working; I'm 19 now and am basically stable. They have caused weight gain though. You can avoid that though by taking an anti-psychotic like Geodon which will counter-act that side effect.

Another thing is though, she needs to be careful if she drinks. The opposite effects that the anti-depressant and the alcohol have can confuse it and cause it to shut down. Also the Depakote is processed in the liver so that needs to be healthy in order to let the meds work.

Hope this is somewhat helpful.

Thank you for your response. It was very helpful. I have been doing so much research that I have scared myself half to death with the "what ifs"... Thanks for giving me perspective!

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was 17. I haven't been on depakote, but lithium seems to work for me. The antidepressants I have taken: Zoloft, Geodon. Current antidepressants: Lamictal, Wellbutrin. I was first diagnosed with unipolar depression so Zoloft obviously didn't work. The Geodon made my arms and legs twitch/spaz. Lamictal has been iffy; higher dosages made me extremely drowsy, but low doses don't have much of an effect. So now my doctor added Wellbutrin... I don't know if it works yet..

I've had pretty bad luck with antidepressants... It's been almost a year and I'm not entirely stable yet. But that might just be me.

Thank you also for your response. It helps a lot for me to hear the teen experiences!

i have read many horror stories from people who took anti depressants for their bipolar one med that i am on that has really helped me is lithium

Her doc started her on Topomax the other day. I have no experience with this med, but lithium didn't do much for me and I'm really afraid to try it with her on the out-chance she reacts (or doesn't react as the case may be) the same way I did. After much research, I have to agree with you about the antidepressants... We're not going to go with them at this point. Thanks for your help! :)

My daughter is 13 and we are trying lithium and welbutrim for her. She is really still in the early stages to get it's actual effects and she is in a MH right now trying to get stablized but I am seeing more and more on here that the combination of either lithium and welbutrin or depakote and welbutrim seem to be a preferred combinatin for alot of p doctors. I hope this works for my daughter.

how old is your daughter? i was diagnosed when i was 17, and i was put on zoloft and lamictal and im fine. i guess it depends on how close your daughter is to adulthood.