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.

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treatment resistant bipolar depression

pamdidi
pamdidi

Are there any new medicines out there for treatment resistant bi polar depression.  My son has tried them all but they all have given him side effects in his eyes.  Was going to try St. Johns Wort but the directions warned about being in the sun and he is a home builder.

Community Leaderacuriousfish
acuriousfish
Don't give someone with bipolar St John's wort, just as someone on a proper anti-depressnet shouldn't take it.

You've said in another post that lamotrigine didn't work for him. I think Wellbutrin has been taken by some members for bipolar depression I think. Is he also on a mood stabilizer because they can also help with the depression.
pamdidi
pamdidi
thanks - he is not on anything now - I think he tried Wellbutrin in the past. He has had only one manic episode about 23 years ago.
Community LeaderSunCloudJD
SunCloudJD
It took me about 3 and a half years to find a good combo and it's hard going through the gamut of trials I know

The best thing is to work with his psych.... Most of us have some side effects that we have to tolerate.... Some are okay and some aren't

I'm pretty flat now but I'm stable

And some once you get used to them they're okay..... At the beginning there can be stronger effects as a little time goes on they're better

I'm on one of the older stabilizers Tegretol and it works well for me in conjunction with other meds
Community Leaderacuriousfish
acuriousfish
If he's not on any medication now and his one and only manic episode was 23 years ago it would be worth him getting a proper reassessment. There are alot of things that can cause psychosis if that is what he had. There are alot of things that look like hypomania as well.

Getting a firm diagnosis will then open up possibilities for treatment of the depression which may be different to those that would be used for someone with bipolar.
Maui1992
Maui1992
Has he tried light therapy? That worked for me for years, until recently. I'm now on lamotrigine and it is starting to help… Just slightly starting… I am currently on 62.5 mg and I heard that someone started feeling better at 75 mg so I'm looking forward to next week. The goal is 200 mg. So it takes time for meds to work and side effects to subside.
If you read this curious fish, I'm curious about the things that can look like hypomania?
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