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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by bob on February 2, 2002, at 13:58:32
Does Lithium in monotherapy have any anxiolytic properties at all? Not that it would be indicated as a first line treatment for GAD, but still, does it help at all?
Posted by Ritch on February 2, 2002, at 15:32:35
In reply to Lithium for anxiety?, posted by bob on February 2, 2002, at 13:58:32
> Does Lithium in monotherapy have any anxiolytic properties at all? Not that it would be indicated as a first line treatment for GAD, but still, does it help at all?
Hi Bob,
Over nearly 15+ years experience with it I could say that it does have anxiolytic properties. I was on it as monotherapyp for probably a third of the time I have taken it. What it probably does is primarily settle agitation/restlessness related to hypomania and depression. It does have serotonergic effects. If the anxiety is associated with unipolar depression-it possibly could be helpful. It would be interesting to see a double-blind placebo controlled trial for GAD using it.
Mitch
Posted by bob on February 2, 2002, at 15:47:57
In reply to Re: Lithium for anxiety? » bob, posted by Ritch on February 2, 2002, at 15:32:35
> Hi Bob,
>
> Over nearly 15+ years experience with it I could say that it does have anxiolytic properties. I was on it as monotherapyp for probably a third of the time I have taken it. What it probably does is primarily settle agitation/restlessness related to hypomania and depression. It does have serotonergic effects. If the anxiety is associated with unipolar depression-it possibly could be helpful. It would be interesting to see a double-blind placebo controlled trial for GAD using it.
>
> Mitch
That's interesting to hear, Mitch. I did a search on the internet for Lithium related to anxiety, and found nothing. I was suspecting, though, that it did have an effect on anxiety.Bob
Posted by tina on February 2, 2002, at 17:06:57
In reply to Re: Lithium for anxiety? » Ritch, posted by bob on February 2, 2002, at 15:47:57
I've been given depakote as monotherapy for anxiety Bob. Just thought you'd be intersted to know that.
>
> > Hi Bob,
> >
> > Over nearly 15+ years experience with it I could say that it does have anxiolytic properties. I was on it as monotherapyp for probably a third of the time I have taken it. What it probably does is primarily settle agitation/restlessness related to hypomania and depression. It does have serotonergic effects. If the anxiety is associated with unipolar depression-it possibly could be helpful. It would be interesting to see a double-blind placebo controlled trial for GAD using it.
> >
> > Mitch
>
>
> That's interesting to hear, Mitch. I did a search on the internet for Lithium related to anxiety, and found nothing. I was suspecting, though, that it did have an effect on anxiety.
>
> Bob
Posted by bob on February 3, 2002, at 0:00:08
In reply to Re: Lithium for anxiety? Bob, posted by tina on February 2, 2002, at 17:06:57
> I've been given depakote as monotherapy for anxiety Bob. Just thought you'd be intersted to know that.
Tina:I am not surprised. I took Depakote at one time, and it was an extremely effective anti-anxiety med. The only problem for me was it caused intractable drowsiness, weight gain, some hair loss, and slight cognitive dysfuntion. The drowsiness was so bad that I could not tolerate it without Welbutrin to keep me awake. Of course, this added to the anxiety slightly.
Bob
Posted by petters on February 3, 2002, at 2:14:51
In reply to Re: Lithium for anxiety? » Ritch, posted by bob on February 2, 2002, at 15:47:57
>
> > Hi Bob,
> >
> > Over nearly 15+ years experience with it I could say that it does have anxiolytic properties. I was on it as monotherapyp for probably a third of the time I have taken it. What it probably does is primarily settle agitation/restlessness related to hypomania and depression. It does have serotonergic effects. If the anxiety is associated with unipolar depression-it possibly could be helpful. It would be interesting to see a double-blind placebo controlled trial for GAD using it.
> >
> > Mitch
>
>
> That's interesting to hear, Mitch. I did a search on the internet for Lithium related to anxiety, and found nothing. I was suspecting, though, that it did have an effect on anxiety.
>
> BobHi...
Litium by it´s self is not good for anxiety. But you can very possible have a soft bipolar disorder, such as bipolar II. It is very common with anxiety as well as social phobia, OCD etc. Do you have signs of ADD or ADHD in your past% This could also be a sign of bipolar II. What you can add Litium with to get greater effect i Gabapentin (Neurontin) Very effectiv for anxiety and some moodstabilizing effect, as well as some antidepressant properties.
I know depression can appear 90- 95 % of the time in this disorder. If litium does help it could be a sign of bipolar II or unipolar depression.
Sorry for my bad spelling. Not from U.S
SincerelyPetters
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