[tc2012]

Does anyone know if Lithium can cause depression? My son was manic for a long time and he was not taking any meds. He decided to go back to the Dr. He started taking Lithium and a Benzo. (5 weeks ago) He is calm now but very depressed. Any ideas?

[middlepath]

I am on a low dose of Lithium and I am still getting some depression. I don't know if lithium can cause it though. It is my understanding that too many benzo's may. I take those too, but only as needed...so i am not suspicious of them causing my depression. If your son takes them daily, maybe ask your sons psychiatrist (pdoc) his/her thoughts. Either way, it may be a good idea just to inform the pdoc of what is happening in case your sons meds need a little tweeking. I hope you find the info you need!

[tc2012]

Originally Posted by middlepath

I am on a low dose of Lithium and I am still getting some depression. I don't know if lithium can cause it though. It is my understanding that too many benzo's may. I take those too, but only as needed...so i am not suspicious of them causing my depression. If your son takes them daily, maybe ask your sons psychiatrist (pdoc) his/her thoughts. Either way, it may be a good idea just to inform the pdoc of what is happening in case your sons meds need a little tweeking. I hope you find the info you need!

Thank you! I have suspected he is taking too much Benzo because he has been so desperate to be relieved of his anxiety. I will talk to him about it.
He is supposed to take them as needed. This is very hard, I am trying to help.

Thank you!

[cool09]

I don't think lithium or benzos can cause depression. (And benzos are pretty tolerable compared to other psychotropic meds.) Maybe he is on a downswing if he is bipolar. I thought lithium is used mainly for the manic side of BP. Lamictal (mood stabilizer) is used for hypomania (lower mania with depression) and those who tend to lean more towards depressive side of BP. If you search the web for lithium you can find answers to your questions.

Benzos can make you sleepy and/or tired and that may trigger lethargy and possibly slip into depression if they spend too much time in bed or are inactive, etc. Benzos have to be adjusted carefully for a correct dose just like any other med and can take quite a while to find that dose. Xanax is shortest acting benzo (4 hrs) and klonopin is longest acting (days) but they all do the same thing. Ativan and others are in-between. (Or more correctly, xanax has shortest half-life and klonopin longest half-life.)

I do know that when PDOCs treat BP the proper treatment is to the stabilize the manic side first then the other symptoms after that. (That's what I've read in books on BP disorder.)

[venusss]

Benzos are downers, especially when the dosing and usage is incorrect.

[tc2012]

Originally Posted by VenusHalley

Benzos are downers, especially when the dosing and usage is incorrect.

Thank you, I think the usage is incorrect.

The benzos are a central nervous system suppressant, and any cns can cause depression.

[faerie_moon_x]

For me lithium makes me flatten out. I still have my emotions and moods, but they are not as intense. Instead of mountains and canyons I have hills and valleys, if that makes sense. It makes me feel like I have a wall in my head where my moods just kind of bump against them....