Bipolar Disorder Support Group
Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.
I've been told by a p-doc that lamictal works from the mania side down to bring you close to baseline and that lithium works from the depressive side up to bring you close to baseline.
Is this true? I would have to guess that seroquel, depakote, and geodon are helpful with mania but, I could be wrong (wouldn't be the first time).
I'm in the middle of a med change and curious as to how BP meds work. So far I don't like what I've been put on and I'm really curious how these meds work. Please add your input. =)
Oh and if I don't make sense today, I blame it on the medication and apologize in advance!
Is this true? I would have to guess that seroquel, depakote, and geodon are helpful with mania but, I could be wrong (wouldn't be the first time).
I'm in the middle of a med change and curious as to how BP meds work. So far I don't like what I've been put on and I'm really curious how these meds work. Please add your input. =)
Oh and if I don't make sense today, I blame it on the medication and apologize in advance!
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I have been homeless off and on for over a year now. 2 days ago I lost my entire support system. I have been diagnosed as bi-polar with severe depression. I am not on any meds anymore. I do not see a doctor anymore. My boyfriend was arrested for a warrant from 2001 that he didn't know he had. I feel like everything is pointless. Everything I try to do falls apart. I have no one...
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Hello,So I've been away from support groups in general for about 3 or 4 years including this one, but I used to be a regular here on D'S, when I was on and off of meds and really struggling. I'm doing better as I've finally accepted treatment for bipolar 1 disorder. I've been taking haldol for about 2 years now and haven't been hospitalized or had any major symptoms save for this nagging...
lamictal - an anti convulsant used for bipolar treatment of those with depression, mixed states and mania.
http://www.psycom.net/depression.central.lamotrigine.html
lithium is also a mood stabilizer
lexapro is an antidepressant
ativan is an anti-anxiety
geodon is an anti-psychotic
depakote is also a treatment for seizure disorder and for mania(and causes nasty weight gain, at least it did for me)
seroquel is used to treat depressive episodes and acute manic episodes
www.seroquel.com( i have also heard this causes weight gain and "foggy" symptoms).
i am currently on lamictal, lithium, lexapro, geodon and ativan oh and synthroid.
seroquel is an antipsychotic and so cuts mani (it also takes the edge off hypomania).
The others I don't know about.
There are various guesses about how these things work..but no one is quite sure yet i think.
Different meds affect different receptors in the brain. Some block dopamine, some raise it. Some use seratonin receptors. It's why meds affect each person differently, and also why finding a 'cure' for bp is difficult.
Enough geeking out for me :)