I"ve been taking bupropion (Wellbutrin) for many years and it's worked well for the most part. I think most SSRI's are generally not used for bipolar depression though. Before I was properly diagnosed in 2017, all the SSRI's I was given for my "depression" just made things worse. Much worse. And as switch from Lexapro to Zoloft in 2015 set off a massive hypomania/mania episode that was like nothing I had ever experienced before.

I have been reading that meds for depression can make symptoms worse for bipolar disorder. I am on wellbutrin and my doctor is adding Cymbalta too because today I had an episode of hysterical crying that switched to hysterical laughing. This went on for about 30 minutes. I could not even speak because the emotions were so severe.

Have you ever experienced this before?

Thanks for your support?

I have been reading that meds for depression can make symptoms worse for bipolar disorder. I am on wellbutrin and my doctor is adding Cymbalta too because today I had an episode of hysterical crying that switched to hysterical laughing. This went on for about 30 minutes. I could not even speak because the emotions were so severe.

Have you ever experienced this before? I feel very confused and tired since this happened.

Thanks for your support.

I'm not ... I was put on an AD during a hospital stay years ago however I am really med sensitive and pretty much stopped sleeping

The problem with AD's for several people with Bipolar is that you continue to go up towards a manic or hypomanic phase.... You don't level out like someone with depression does

There are some on here though that do okay while on AD's....... xo

This is really good information that I wish my psychiatrist understood. Having me on ADs has not helped me. These doctors don’t listen.

Thank you, SunCloudJD! You’re an angel!

I also cant take ADs. In the beginning I had a hard time getting sorted properly on meds.

Ive done well the last ten years or so getting through some trauma and emotional processing in therapy, but have always taken allll kinda of med combos for a long while.

I was diagnosed with depression in college in the 90s during Prozac Nation days. But a psychotic break in 2003 changed my diagnosis.

I currently take a lower dosage seroquel lamictal (prn ambien) mix.

I was on Celexa off & on (insured v. uninsured v. too depressed to call for help) for many years AFTER many years of trial & error guinea pigging various meds & combos of meds. I actualy thing being off of them for extended periods is why they were effective over such a long period. When consistent, I very quickly build tolerence to meds.

Since bipolar isn't actually mental but is a chemical disorder, and because of diet, environment, development, etc it seems to me that our individual brain chemistry would vary from others. So, basically picture a 12 year old with 2 chemistry sets but only one has labels (meds) on the other all the labels are missing (our brains). Doctors are that 12 year old trying to get a specific chemical reaction by mixing a known chemical with an unknown. It's Science, yo! - but with a blindfold on kinda.

I have had the uncontrollable crying/laughing. It is exhausting. In the ... idk... 25 years(?) since bipolar symptoms hit me like a mack truck, it's only happened to me maybe 10ish times, I guess. So, if I am a good indication, this will occur very rarely. Somerimes maybe twice, three times, in a relatively short span, but then, literally, several years between. Hope its even less for you!

One more thing - if you feel awkward or get 'that look' from folks when you say that you are bipolar, try saying "I have a chemical imbalance" instead. It is exactly the dame thing yet many people can acknowledge the idea of someone's body chemistry being an impairment far more readily (and with far less bias/preconcieved notions) than using the term that is commonly known as a mental disorder and has been far overused by teenagers and hypochondriacs. (That last part is ...mostly, in jest).

Years ago I had a pdoc that wanted to try and up my wellbutrin to 450 mg and I pretty much experienced what you did with the crying/laughing hysterically. The emotions just overwhelmed me and I was helpless. It was a terrible feeling.
Before the bipolar diagnosis in 2017 the different AD's I took just made things worse. By 2015 I had tried at least 5 different SSRI's and got progressively worse. It's known that they are not good for bipolar people and yet I still see that some people are being prescribed them by their pdocs. Maybe they know something I don't.
I have an appointment with my pdoc Thurs morning to discuss the wellbutrin and possible alternatives. But I absolutely cannot do anti-psychotics of any kind. They seem to work for some people, but they are all hell on me. They make me psychotic and the irony of that is not lost on me at all.

If you have BiPolar Disorder and you are not on a Mood Stabilizer of some sort, just taking Anti-depressants tends to make you go Manic. BiPolar Disorder cannot be treated with Anti-depressants alone, without other meds to balance them out, they'll make the symptoms worse.

If you're seeing a Psychiatrist they would know that. If you're not seeing a Psychiatrist, but a general M.D. or PCP then you need to be seeing a Psychiatrist so that your BiPolar can be treated properly.

Thank you all for your informative and supportive comments. I am sharing this information with my psychiatrist because they are not listening to me.

I hope and pray you find peace.

Hey Frankie,
I’m currently taking Lexapro and remeron, both seem to be working.
Message me if you have any further questions
Best wishes
-Kayla