Posted by Racer on October 10, 2006, at 20:16:35
In reply to Manic Depressives NOT on a benzo for mania!? » Triolian, posted by corafree on October 10, 2006, at 19:26:37
> RU saying the medical professionals would rather control bipolar manic episodes w/ huge doses of Depakote or the like, than spend a little time to lessen the symptoms of mania?
Triolian has already pointed out the bottom line issue: mania is not anxiety.
I'm not anti-medication, so here's a slightly different answer than Triolian gave you on some of the rest of it:
Depakote controls the episodes -- it's not masking anything. It's stopping them at the source, if it's working. (It doesn't sound as though it's working in your friend's case -- that's why he's bouncing off the walls.) The theory is that manic episodes are similar on a biological level to epileptic episodes -- there's a bit of an electrical storm in the brain which causes the symptoms: seizures in the case of epilepsy, mania in the case of bipolar. By that theory, an anti-convulsant will stop manic episodes by quietening the electrical activity in the brain.
Benzos are anxiolytics, and they don't work for everyone. They're also addictive, which might be an issue if your friend has a history of substance abuse. Some benzos have been used as anti-convulsants, but they're not the first choice. They're also not high on the short-list for mania.
Anti-psychotics would be a much better PRN choice for mania, probably.
Hope that helps explain it. If your friend is interfering with your ability to function because his mania is too disruptive, the best thing you can do is set a limit: he can't be a big part of your life until he gets it treated adequately.
Good luck.
poster:Racer
thread:693609
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061003/msgs/693664.html