This is a long and detailed post; but, I figured the more info the better. I have minor ocd, panic, ptsd, schizo-affective disorder: bipolar type (mix of symptoms from schizophrenia and bipolar), and borderline personality disorder. The only psych meds I'm on are: lamictal (300 mg total), and cymbalta (60 mg); other than that, I am on a few others: birth control, heart burn, and for heart issues due to a previous allergic reaction to clozaril. I have noticed a large increase in sex drive. Varying sleep patterns, decreased appetite. I have a lot of great advice, humor, compassion, and am helping others in general in absolutely anything possible but mostly in support and something summed up the best as something similar to counseling. I don't think the last thing is at all a bad part and I've always wanted to help others period. I am puting a lot of my ideas and what not into action and accomplishing quite a bit. I feel like I have a purpose in life and am finally working on gathering things up and writing things down to incorporate in a book which I intend to publish when I get done with it; which is a long ways away and intended to write and publish a book since I was very young; so, that is not a big change. I am not delusional or psychotic at all (a good thing). I am finally really accomplishing things a lot and feel very productive and like I'm really helping people deal with their problems. The sexual promiscuity may at some point become a bit risky as far as contracting something or being vulnerable to attack as I live alone.

My questions:
1. Is an increased sex drive ever a side effect of psych meds?

2. Does it sound like I am manic and if so, is this a big problem?
My pdoc has done a lot of work with me over the years starting with work with him in the hospital and got into his private practice and have been there for several years now. He said he was prescribing to me an antidepressant because I was severely, severely depressed for so very long. (I underwent numerous treatments including quite a few antidepressants, antipsychotics, a few anxiety meds, and ECT). He put me on an antidepressant saying that he would rather see me a bit manic than being extremely suicidal constantly. I do smoke pot ocassionally and in small amounts. It helps me relax enough that I am able to take the edge off the incredible amount of pain I've been dealing with the past few weeks. I've been having debilitating headaches which the doc says is due to tension and stress. She said I have arthiritis; but, has not done any tests for it. I have a lot of muscle spasms but she's not willing to prescribe a muscle relaxer she told me because of potential fatigue (I feel she won't for fear of being liable if I were to self injure for whatever reason). Nor am I on any meds for anxiety or depression. Although I am told that THC (by my eye doc) is good for your eyes by lowering the pressure, as I have retina-opathy (increasing retina detachment- which in my case will most likely cause blindness eventually).

3. Having read the above statement: which is the lesser of the two evils? Meaning is it better to be manic than being non-responsive to treatment for extreme depression?

4. Are there any "safe" ways to treat panic attacks or anxiety? Are there any "safe" treatments or meds like some sort of minor sedative/tranquilizer or muscle relaxers? I feel miserable often, physcially. Please note: I experience panic attacks of varying intensity.

** Any support or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks everyone!
--Danielle