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.

8,884 Members
129,554 Posts
0 Online
Mental Health
/ Bipolar Disorder Support Group

What the ?

Braveredhead
Braveredhead

I just looked up my medicine and it said used to treat schizophrenia. My doctors say I'm bipolar. Are they lying to me? Why do they give me this? I don't hear voices or anything? I swear this medicine used to say it treats bipolar and schizophrenia? Anyone had to deal with this?

tommymott
tommymott
There's lots of cross-purpose in medication. I got to where I didn't worry about it so long as my symptoms were being treated.
Community Leaderacuriousfish
acuriousfish
Lots of the newer antipsychotics are given to people with bipolar because we share the psychotic symptom. A number of the ant-psychotics are now also given to people with depression and to various other people off label including children.

If you go to the medications home page with the manufacturer it will usually give the tratment as the one it is licenced for - not the off lable uses.
Sunshinegirl0228
Sunshinegirl0228
I believe lamictal(which I used to take) is used mainly to treat epilepsy. I am very obviously not epileptic. Like tommy said, there are a lot of medications with cross purposes. In fact, I also take gabepentin prn for anxiety but it is mainly used to treat diabetic nerve pain. I dont have diabetes either. If ever you arent sure about why your dr prescribes a particular medication, ask.
dstrdlx
dstrdlx
Same here, lamictal is meant to treat epilepsy but has honestly done wonders for my bipolar. I would never stop taking this medication ":)
dobiedots
dobiedots
I too am on meds that work for different illnesses. I have bipolar but am on meds for Parkinsons and an Anti-psychotic though I've never been psychotic. My pdoc tells me that the trend now is to treat Bipolar Depression with APs as they seem to work better than Anti-depressants.
Braveredhead
Braveredhead
Thank you guys
Posts You May Be Interested In
  • Sunshinegirl0228

    Dr. Appointment

    Posted by: Sunshinegirl0228
    Last Reply: Sunshinegirl0228
    3
    Once again I've had a fever today. I'm not going to the hospital because that's a huge waste of time but I did schedule a dr appointment for Wednesday afternoon. 
  • GTTMbutstillme

    Sunday Check In

    Posted by: GTTMbutstillme
    Last Reply: Sunshinegirl0228
    4
    ...and another day closer to Fall!  Tra la la la la...Next month there is a Sasquatch Festival in my city! We're excited to go and get our picture taken with Bigfoot.  Really!Have a great day, everyone -