[jaxter23]

My anxiety gets out of control at times. Can certain meds cause anxiety? I don't remember having such bad anxiety before the BP kicked in. I'm on Lamictal and Abilify. I've heard from others that both can cause anxiety. Anyone else experiencing any anxiety on these or other meds?

[sugahorse1]

For me Wellbutrin causes terrible anxiety

[Switch]

I don't know specifics, but yea, meds can cause anxiety. Meds can cause a lot of things actually. My advice is to talk to your pdoc and voice your concern. They want to make you better, not better here and worse there. In the mean time, try and find ways of dealting with your anxiety.

I know that personally my anxiety is really bad, and I'm pretty sure it's just all part of my BP2 or at least really closely connected. It's not uncomon for people with BP to also have bad anxiety. lol, try not to worry about it too much.

You'll be okay.

[Red_Cyclops]

Hi. I agree with Switch and Sugahorse - meds can definitely cause anxiety, and you should discuss it with your doctor. I currently take Lamictal, and tried Abilify a few years ago. Lamictal does not make me anxious - in fact, I have heard of people who say it has relieved some of their anxiety, but of course, meds affect people differently. Abilify made me incredibly nervous and restless, and I only stayed on it for a week or so because it made me so uncomfortable. If you feel that your anxiety has become worse since going on the meds, you'll want to discuss options with your doctor. I have been frustrated in the past because many meds help with some things, but bring about other issues with their side effects - it's all about weighing the good and bad and deciding what you're willing to put up with in order to function, at least it is for me!

My only advice would be to avoid taking any of the benzo's (Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, Valium) for anxiety if at all possible. Your body becomes dependent upon them quickly and the withdrawal is nasty. Good luck!

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by Red_Cyclops

My only advice would be to avoid taking any of the benzo's (Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, Valium) for anxiety if at all possible. Your body becomes dependent upon them quickly and the withdrawal is nasty. Good luck!

I think it depends on whether you have an "addictive" personality, in terms of substances. I do not get much help from Klonopin, but I do not become dependent, and when I needed to quit it as a sleep aid altogether, I did it over the course of a week or two (tapering off) easily without any withdrawal. I also do not have any other substance addictions that are so common for this disorder. In fact due to wine's interaction with meds, I currently do not use any substances even in small doses.

So it is important to let your p-doc know whether you have a propensity to substances addictions, which would make benzos ever so dangerous.

[BlueInanna]

Everyone is so different in response to these meds, but phewee I was bad on Abilify. Made me horribly nervous and restless, lots of pacing, and I even felt suicidal, so pdoc let me off it pretty quick. Now on Welbutrin and Lithium, doing much better. Not fair we have to do so much trial and error, but that's just how it is. Good luck, you will find a better fit

[roads]

Increasing Cymbalta from 60 to 90 mg/day caused me anxiety, had me hearing "someone" calling my name in a whispered voice--primarily at work. I tried a few meds but all made me really drowsy & I opted for just knowing it was the meds. I didn't especially feel anxious ... just thought "someone" was playing games & was getting quite annoyed after awhile!

[BipolaRNurse]

Lamictal has basically done away with my anxiety. I began to notice this a couple of months ago when I was in a situation that would ordinarily have caused me to freak out, and I sailed through it without turning a hair. It's happened several more times during confrontations or doing something new, so my confidence is definitely higher about being able to maintain during stressful events.