ANYTHING FOR MILD MANIA

OK---i'm not sure of my diagnosis.   Remember, i am seeing a very nice & very competent (in fact she is excellent!)----psychotherapist.     She says i'm "major depression"----but, she sees, & i know---i do feel, at times---rather "frantic"----very talkative & like some people on this BP forum say---have lots of pent up anger!    I say things rather sarcastically---esp. what i perceive to be incompetence or ignorance (which is quite common today--esp. in Philly where i live).    So, she wants me to see a pdoc for meds (my "family Dr"---knows nothing---Zip....nada......about psychaiatry--meds---BP--depression etc (in fact i'm in search of a new fmily Dr.)-------BUT---to the point

-----She feels i may be "mildly" manic----says my personality is "multilayered"-----& wants this pdoc -who she highly recommends---& has good reputation-----to see me.       I stopped taking (Temporarily)...my Paxil-----as when i went from 10 to 20 mg---i felt kinda "jittery"...not manic----not anything serious---but i stopped taking it.    She did mention----Neurontin (I know Psychnurse----you don't think highly of it for BP)----BUT----my therapist feels with my "mild"....whatever it's called "hyper"......or nervousness.....or even a mild "hypomania" that Neurontin MAY help me. (As i am NOT your typical BP)------now---i will NOT---take anything "heavy"....(Depakote or Lithium)-----as i am in my late 50s & never have had any serious "Manic" episodes (heavy spending---calling people all hrs of nite)---just that i have lots of "hyper" ness to me---lots of pent up anger----i hold resentments.     So, this is asking an opinion of anyone like me----who is NOT "full blown" BP----(please, i'm not ready for hospitilization...lol)------& when i see my pdoc this Monday---CAN I SAY--"I do NOT want to take Depakote...or Lithium!"....& go from there???            My therapist says she also feels i should not be on them...that's why she mentioned Neurontin....so--ANYONE out there---who, like me----IS DEPRESSED....but has some concurrent anxiety & agitation w it----who is being helped by an antidepressant AND....A MILD "MOOD STABILIZER"???   Please---get back---thanks--looking forward to any & all feedback --esp. some "good meds" that i could suggest to my pdoc-------ASIDE from Depakote---Lithium & or any other "heavy duty" mood stabilizer.    Thanks so much---Robert

Was taking Paxil (20mg)--i felt a bit "edgy"----nothing really bad. My therapist, at first felt i was "major depression" with concurrent anxiety. Now---she's not sure if i'm mildly hypomanic. (How fast is "rapid cycling"??)----Right now---for last few days ---my anger at CERTAIN things is strong. So, until i see the new pdoc (this Monday at 1 PM, FIRST TIME )----i am off of the Paxil----(my therapist thought it might have been making me a bit "spike"---good term!)----She has mentioned Neurontin----my therapist says---I'm "not classically BP 2"....somewhat milder----said my personality is "multilayered". But, aside from my ongoing depression (See my original post---about the "precipatating incident"----)----i have lots of "pent up anger"-----is the possibly hypomania??? She said Neurontin---for SOME people has helped. She is very good. Her specialty is diagnosis---she says meds that help some people---do nothing for others----Shannon mentioned "Trilepta"---is that strong??? Please, get back----btw---i will be seeing my therapist Monday morning at 9 AM.....which is good----so, i can go see my new pdoc for first time. She said she talked to him about me. Need suggestions for something i could take with...say Paxil or Zoloft---that...IF...i become a bit "hypomanic"--it would help---but nothing too strong. (Shannon----who i respect greatly feels i'm not bipolar---just major Dep. with anxiety--hope she's right)---BUT---in the meantime---JUST in case----a "MILD" mood stabilizer! I'm not running around rolling up CC bills , screaming at people----& getting 2 hrs sleep. I sleep OK.....but w depression I wake up once or twice during nite---& i take my valium (on valium mny yrs----lite dose---I'll break a 5mg in half before bedtime & if i awaken.......i take another half. ) Anyway--i am DEPRESSED...very sad---over my loss----AND---ANGRY!!! Any suggestions??? Thanks---Robert

Thanks---Shannon----I really think you're right...& hope you are too. I'll keep you posted. Robert