[Last Laugh]

My base symptoms present as mostly manic (energetic, angry, hair trigger, grandiosity, and some psychotic fly-aways)

Tried Lamictal, but it made me depressed. Ugh!

I've been on Trileptal for a while now and starting to experience a lot of anxiety. Has anyone else seen anxiety as a side effect from Trileptal?

If you have anxiety on top of your bipolar, how did you treat? I'm scared of ssri's since they can push me into mania. I guess I don't trust a mood stabilizer to prevent that.

Thank you so much for your help!

[gayleggg]

I take Klonopin(generic) for anxiety.

[ultramar]

Did you suffer from some anxiety before being put on Trileptal?

I suffer from *a lot* of anxiety, though it has been getting better. But I can't stand crowds, amongst other things. I take .5 of klonopin, but I don't think it really does anything, been on it forever. Seroquel actually ended up helping me somewhat with anxiety, though I'm not taking it for this.

I have trouble getting out of my cocoon (re apartment) at times, and set myself small goals. Therapy also helps.

I know that for me it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between intense anxiety and hypomania: I get very energetic, antsy, can be irritable (when very anxious). I'm wondering if maybe some of your hypo symptoms (or more specifically some-times) are actually manifestations of some anxiety?

Are you in therapy? I've heard that CBT can be effective for anxiety, as well as other modalities. Best of luck.

[Victoria'smom]

I have anxiety on top of bipolar and other things a baby dose of celexa helped a lot. I'm on viibryd now which helps but it has antipsychotic qualities. This was the only SSRI that didn't flip me into mania (except celexa).I also have prn of aterax and seriquol.

[Last Laugh]

God I HATE when the p-doc rushes me! Left with a script for klonepin and am doubting the decision. Will see him again in Jan. how bad a klonepin dependence can I get in two months? Ugh! maybe I should have added an ssri instead. he doesn't want to change two things at once, which makes sense. But he doesn't have to live in my head!

[Victoria'smom]

Also things that I do is drink through a straw it's much like deep inhaling .

[BlueInanna]

Originally Posted by Last Laugh

God I HATE when the p-doc rushes me! Left with a script for klonepin and am doubting the decision. Will see him again in Jan. how bad a klonepin dependence can I get in two months? Ugh! maybe I should have added an ssri instead. he doesn't want to change two things at once, which makes sense. But he doesn't have to live in my head!

Klonopin is addictive. I've been on it for years. Pdoc says we will taper down at some point. I think 2 months to get you through is ok. Your anxiety is bad, trust your doc on this one & get into a therapy too if you're not already.

[monochromatic]

daily meditation has helped me a lot. Honestly, most of my anxiety is under control because of therapy, changing thought patterns (CBT), and meditation. And the occasional lorazepam.

[~Christina]

Meditation and breathing exercises.

Usually benzios are prescribed as PRN ( as needed) If your concerned about the "physical addiction" just be aware of how often you are taking it. But 2 month follow up you should be fine..

Hopefully Klonopin will take the edge off to where yoou can learn other ways to decrease anxiety.

Relax if you can