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Do SSRIs trigger mania in bipolar patients?

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Bipolar Disorder
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Posted 7/28/2012 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
I lived most of my life swinging between deep depression and good moods, but never experienced a real manic episode until I started taking zoloft. (An SSRI antidepressant). After the manic episode I was prescribed a mood stabilizer it went away. A few years later I was prescribed lexapro (another SSRI) which was followed by a another severe manic episode. I was then diagnosed with bipolar because of the manic episodes. Has anyone ever had a similar experience, where the mania was followed by an SSRI? (zoloft, prozac, lexapro, ect) Or have you known anyone with a similar experience? If this is common, I think doctors should be much more cautious when prescribing antidepressants....perhaps they should first screen for bipolar before doing so.
Posted 7/29/2012 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
I have been kicked into mania at least 3 times due to SSRI. When I go into a deep depression the drs. don't know how to treat me except an anti-depressent. Then they don't want to take me off because "it (antidpressent) is working." Sooner or later off I go into mania. I am currently on an SSRI, and I am just waiting to head off into Mania land,, before the doc agrees to take me off. Then of course they want to increase my Seroquel, which I absolutely hate being on.
Just be careful!
Posted 7/29/2012 11:18 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, SSRI's often trigger mania in people with BP. However, they can trigger mania in people without BP too! This is why mania caused by medication is not counted towards a diagnosis of BP.

Have you had a manic episode without having an SSRI?
Posted 7/30/2012 1:59 PM (GMT 0)
I have never had a manic episode without an SSRI, although when I was younger I would fluctuate between depression, anxiety, and really good moods (productive, happy, optimistic, ect).

I wish though that doctors were much more careful when prescribing SSRIs, because manic episodes can be very dangerous...

Thank you for your responses
Posted 7/30/2012 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
FYI: Definitely been in mania without SSRI. Mania (without SSRI's) is the main reason that I have gone off my med's more times than I can count.
Posted 8/11/2012 3:11 PM (GMT 0)
I had the exact opposite reaction to SSRI's and Tricyclic's. I was placed on Zoloft for depression when I was in my 30's, but after several months I got to the point where I was ready to explode. Before that I had been on Elavil for migraine headaches. I was down to only 2 headaches a month when m y Dr doubled the dose leading to my first psychotic break, I pretty much tore my room apart and sat in a corner and cried. I was diagnosed as Hypomanic Bipolar in 2000, went off my meds in 2001, and then due to anxiety of my mom's cancer diagnosis, I was placed on Ativan 1mg 2x per day. After 3 months, I was a so depressed I wanted to empty every pill bottle in my house. I went back to my doctor who said that the original diagnosis was probably correct and started me on Abilify. Due to cost, I changed meds with help from my PMHNP and am stable now.
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Bipolar with Hypomania and Suicidal ideations / ADHD
Meds
Topamax 200mg
Lamictal 200mg
Adderrall 30mg
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