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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Elysium9 on November 12, 2002, at 11:27:45
January '00, I was diagnosed with major deppresion. Treated with, Paxil. The effect's I felt taking this medication were horrifying. I felt that the top of my head was going to pop-out. I felt inside-out, disconnected. I felt digital. Color's, sound's intensified. Total sensory-overload. Psychotic.
Medication changed to, Zoloft. The effect's of this medication was very much similar, to the effect's of Paxil, maybe a little less intense.
Medication replaced by, Celexa, later a Celexa/Buspar cocktail. Once again, effect's terrifying. The best word's, description, I can use to describe the effect's that these medication's had on me was, like a hallucination, a similar feeling to that of LSD, mescaline, ect.
My doctor never seemed to be concerned with any of my reaction's to these medication's. He did not think that I was possibly bipolar? In fact he added two other medication's for me, ReVia, a opiate-blocker, used at the time for alcohol-addiction, (as prescribed for myself), as well as opiate-addiction, and Klonopin.
Nearly three year's later, I am not taking any medication, nor am I seeing a psychiatrist. this past summer my internest prescribed, Zyban, (Wellbutrin packaged for quiting smoking), predictably setting me off once again into a manic state. I literally felt like killing someone.
At the time that I was diagnosed, 'depressed', I was not aware that I was experiencing mania's, though I was aware that I was not functioning normally. Unemployed, strange delussions, shoplifting, fraud, stealing from friend's, and family. It is now November, the days are shorter, it is getting cold, here in New England, the 'holiday season', is approaching. I am afraid.
I have read that SSRI's can create mania, in a person who is bipolar. I find it interesting that all four SSRI's, and the Buspar, that were prescribed to me did cause mania. Does anyone have any information on this subject? You may write me here, or email me directly to; Elysium9@hotmail.com
I would appreciate to hear from all.
Lelandnew england
november 12, 2002
male
caucasian
46
Posted by judy1 on November 12, 2002, at 12:04:00
In reply to SSRI mania, posted by Elysium9 on November 12, 2002, at 11:27:45
What you're describing is extremely common in a person with bipolar disorder who is put on an AD w/o the support of a mood stabilizer. It's happened to me twice, each time landing in the hospital in a psychotic manic state, before being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Try to see a specialist, it sounds like your pdoc is sadly lacking in basic knowledge of this disorder. take care, judy
Posted by Elysium9 on November 12, 2002, at 12:19:19
In reply to Re: SSRI mania » Elysium9, posted by judy1 on November 12, 2002, at 12:04:00
Judy,
Thanks for your reply. I am wondering if originaly, you were also diagnosed, 'deppresed', before being diagnosed, 'bipolar', and if you were also prescribed a SSRI without a mood stabiliser, innitially for your illness? Do you think that these are concrete symptoms, sign's, that I am bipolar. I know that there is something very wrong upstairs.
Posted by colin wallace on November 12, 2002, at 13:46:35
In reply to SSRI mania, posted by Elysium9 on November 12, 2002, at 11:27:45
Hi there,
You will find that unfortunately, many people here- myself included- have had similar frightening experiences of coming 'unglued' on ssri's or other AD's, prescribed without a mood stabilizer.
Most would have been initially treated for unipolar depression, and may in fact have been suffering from a latent form of bipolar.In other words the condition only becomes apparent once antidepressants unmask it(or even cause it).It is very often missed, as the type of mania you describe is not classic(or euphoric), it is dysphoric, now known a mixed-state- very unpleasant and dangerous, and requiring immediate treatment with a calming mood stabilizer such as valproate.
There's no screening for this type of bipolar subtype( if that's what it is)- it's down to the vigilance of your doc.
If you get this reaction on more than one class of AD's, it's time to look at adding a mood stabilizer like lithium or valproate.
All the best,Col.
Posted by Elysium9 on November 12, 2002, at 15:25:09
In reply to Re: SSRI mania, posted by colin wallace on November 12, 2002, at 13:46:35
The mania that I described in my original post is dysphoric. I think a manic-reaction to the SSRI's that I have been prescribed. At this present time I am not taking any anti-depressant, or mood-stabilizer, except for a breif trial of Wellbutrin during the summer, to try and quit smoking, my internist had prescribed to me, not a psychiatrist.
At this present time, without any medication, I am experiencing deep depression's, and wild, reckless euphoric states. My, 'euphoric states', generally do not last very long, for I am brought back down into depression very easily.
I might add, that I am also at present, living very much in seclusion, at my fathers, in Connecticut. My father is terribly alcoholic, predictably unpredictable, mean, (surprisingly, kind at times, when he is not feeling like a failure, himself), abusive. He is a horrendous, destructive person to be around. As well as seeing a good psychiatrist, I must change my living situation.
I am curious, if it is common, for bipolar to react to SSRI's the way I did, without taking mood-stabilizer's?
Noone that I know who is currently taking an SSRI, has reacted the way I have. The effect's that they have had on other's that I know, have only been possitive.
Posted by judy1 on November 12, 2002, at 22:34:16
In reply to Re: SSRI mania, posted by Elysium9 on November 12, 2002, at 15:25:09
Unfortunately it is common for people with bipolar disorder to react this way- it is called a medically induced manic episode, sometimes bipolar 3. I have had manic episodes w/o ADs, hence I'm diagnosed bipolar 1. Your living situation sounds extremely stressful- another trigger for cycling. I hope you are able to find another place to stay and get help soon. take care, judy
Posted by catmint on November 12, 2002, at 22:54:35
In reply to SSRI mania, posted by Elysium9 on November 12, 2002, at 11:27:45
>>The best word's, description, I can use to describe the effect's that these medication's had on me was, like a hallucination, a similar feeling to that of LSD, mescaline, ect.
Hello,
I had the exact same experience on zoloft. THat was how I knew I was definately bipolar (I also have had mania from lack of sleep or street drugs).
My brother has unipolar depression and didn't notice the effects of the SSRI he was on for like 2 weeks! Not me, I felt like you did, the first day on Zoloft I was close to hallucinating and it was wild to say the least.
I hope you find out which mood stabilizer is right for you. Remember to try to keep a regular sleep schedule until then (I know, that is hard).
Amy
Posted by colin wallace on November 13, 2002, at 12:31:28
In reply to Re: SSRI mania » Elysium9, posted by catmint on November 12, 2002, at 22:54:35
That happened to me on zoloft too- it was the wierdest thing I ever experienced(almost).
I felt like I was moving through a kind of ghostly, surreal unreality (?)for months, and I knew something was badly wrong (especially when I flipped my lid completely).
Felt good with beer though.
Posted by catmint on November 13, 2002, at 16:34:06
In reply to Re: SSRI mania » catmint, posted by colin wallace on November 13, 2002, at 12:31:28
> That happened to me on zoloft too- it was the wierdest thing I ever experienced(almost).
> I felt like I was moving through a kind of ghostly, surreal unreality (?)for months, and I knew something was badly wrong (especially when I flipped my lid completely).
> Felt good with beer though.Yea, for some reason when it was gray outside, the delusions or whatever the heck that feeling was, put me on the verge of psychosis. But when the weather was good, well, all the colors were so intense, I would get too high.
Funny, I didn't react like that so much on prozac.
Posted by Shawn. T. on November 13, 2002, at 23:04:29
In reply to Re: SSRI mania » colin wallace, posted by catmint on November 13, 2002, at 16:34:06
Posted by judy1 on November 14, 2002, at 0:27:56
In reply to http://www.neurotransmitter.net/admania.html (nm), posted by Shawn. T. on November 13, 2002, at 23:04:29
Posted by Ritch on November 14, 2002, at 1:07:11
In reply to http://www.neurotransmitter.net/admania.html (nm), posted by Shawn. T. on November 13, 2002, at 23:04:29
Posted by Elysium9 on November 14, 2002, at 12:57:10
In reply to http://www.neurotransmitter.net/admania.html (nm), posted by Shawn. T. on November 13, 2002, at 23:04:29
Thank you for the website information.
Posted by polarbear206 on November 14, 2002, at 16:31:23
In reply to Re: SSRI mania, posted by colin wallace on November 12, 2002, at 13:46:35
> Hi there,
>
> You will find that unfortunately, many people here- myself included- have had similar frightening experiences of coming 'unglued' on ssri's or other AD's, prescribed without a mood stabilizer.
> Most would have been initially treated for unipolar depression, and may in fact have been suffering from a latent form of bipolar.In other words the condition only becomes apparent once antidepressants unmask it(or even cause it).It is very often missed, as the type of mania you describe is not classic(or euphoric), it is dysphoric, now known a mixed-state- very unpleasant and dangerous, and requiring immediate treatment with a calming mood stabilizer such as valproate.
> There's no screening for this type of bipolar subtype( if that's what it is)- it's down to the vigilance of your doc.
> If you get this reaction on more than one class of AD's, it's time to look at adding a mood stabilizer like lithium or valproate.
>
>
> All the best,
>
> Col.
Hello,Colin's post above is good info! Here is some more
info about using CAUTION with antidepressants with
bipolar spectrum mood disorders.Laura
Posted by Elysium9 on November 14, 2002, at 16:40:38
In reply to Re: SSRI mania, posted by polarbear206 on November 14, 2002, at 16:31:23
> > Hi there,
> >
> > You will find that unfortunately, many people here- myself included- have had similar frightening experiences of coming 'unglued' on ssri's or other AD's, prescribed without a mood stabilizer.
> > Most would have been initially treated for unipolar depression, and may in fact have been suffering from a latent form of bipolar.In other words the condition only becomes apparent once antidepressants unmask it(or even cause it).It is very often missed, as the type of mania you describe is not classic(or euphoric), it is dysphoric, now known a mixed-state- very unpleasant and dangerous, and requiring immediate treatment with a calming mood stabilizer such as valproate.
> > There's no screening for this type of bipolar subtype( if that's what it is)- it's down to the vigilance of your doc.
> > If you get this reaction on more than one class of AD's, it's time to look at adding a mood stabilizer like lithium or valproate.
> >
> >
> > All the best,
> >
> > Col.
>
>
> Hello,
>
> Colin's post above is good info! Here is some more
> info about using CAUTION with antidepressants with
> bipolar spectrum mood disorders.
>
> Laura
>
> http://psyeducation.com/depression/frameset.html
Hi Laura,
Thanks for writing. I just tried logging onto the website mentioned above, without any luck getting on to it. Are you sure that you gave me the correct website address?
Leland
Posted by polarbear206 on November 15, 2002, at 15:22:47
In reply to Re: SSRI mania, posted by Elysium9 on November 14, 2002, at 16:40:38
> > > Hi there,
> > >
> > > You will find that unfortunately, many people here- myself included- have had similar frightening experiences of coming 'unglued' on ssri's or other AD's, prescribed without a mood stabilizer.
> > > Most would have been initially treated for unipolar depression, and may in fact have been suffering from a latent form of bipolar.In other words the condition only becomes apparent once antidepressants unmask it(or even cause it).It is very often missed, as the type of mania you describe is not classic(or euphoric), it is dysphoric, now known a mixed-state- very unpleasant and dangerous, and requiring immediate treatment with a calming mood stabilizer such as valproate.
> > > There's no screening for this type of bipolar subtype( if that's what it is)- it's down to the vigilance of your doc.
> > > If you get this reaction on more than one class of AD's, it's time to look at adding a mood stabilizer like lithium or valproate.
> > >
> > >
> > > All the best,
> > >
> > > Col.
> >
> >
> > Hello,
> >
> > Colin's post above is good info! Here is some more
> > info about using CAUTION with antidepressants with
> > bipolar spectrum mood disorders.
> >
> > Laura
> >
> > http://psyeducation.com/depression/frameset.htmlLeland,
Let's try this again. Sorry, I goofed up!
http://psycheducation.com/depression/frameset.html
Laura
Posted by Elysium9 on November 15, 2002, at 15:57:27
In reply to Re: SSRI mania Leland, posted by polarbear206 on November 15, 2002, at 15:22:47
Thank you Laura
Posted by polarbear206 on November 15, 2002, at 19:28:33
In reply to Re: SSRI mania Leland, posted by Elysium9 on November 15, 2002, at 15:57:27
> Thank you Laura
Leland,Here is another informative site.
http://www.psycom.net/depression.central.html
A good book to read.
"Why Your Depression Isn't Getting Better" by Dr.M Bartos
Be well soon!!
Laura.
This is the end of the thread.
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