Posted by delna on October 13, 2004, at 8:22:49
In reply to mania from meds if not Bp?, posted by B2Chica on October 9, 2004, at 19:30:10
> if a person is NOT bipolar, would they still experience manic or ultra-rapid cycling 'episodes' from SSRI's or other AD?
> or is this a response that is only from those with sometype of bipolar?
>Hi
This a question I have asked myself alot. According to every psychiatrist I have seen, I am not unipolar but have bipolar II. However I can only remember getting blatantly hypomanic after I started SSRI's and then at high dose of venlafaxine.
My doctors agree that a unipolar patient will not switch into mania regardless of the doses of antidepressants given. Apparently the pathologic mechanism of Bipolar is different from unipolar depression.
Once I became clearly hypomanic, my history was looked into closely and it was found that i did have bipolar all along but i didnt have distinct periods of highs and lows. Infact I had many mixed states and rapid moodshifts since childhood.
according to papers and 'Dr Akiskal' a leading voice on the bipolar spectrum, bipolar depression looks very different from unipolar and presents at a different stage of life. From what I have read and experienced these are the unique defining points of bipolar illness1. Early onset ( before 20)
2.history of alcohol and drug abuse
3.psychotic episodes
4. Extereme exhaustion and vegetative depressions
5. Aggression and agitation
6. Oversexed even during depressive phases.There are ofcourse many others and everyone is different. These are just a few points that made it clear that I had BPII and not unipolar. I have resisted this diagnosis for 10years but I finally gave in and took Lamotigine along with my effexor and wellbutrin. the change has been amazing; i hardly swing. Lamotrigine has been a great help for me as a moodstabalizer.
Best,
D
poster:delna
thread:400896
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041012/msgs/402581.html