What do you think about antidepressants for Bipolar?

Does Lamictal need to be that high to be antidepressant?

I was told it helps from the start.

I've been on almost every AD known, except for MAO inhibitors. AD's don't do much for me, one way or the other. I'm on a tricyclic now - imipramine. I took it from 1987 - 1994 and I had some good years then, so I asked to be put on it again in 2011. I don't get as low as I used to, but it doesn't eradicate the depression.

I just started lamictal. I'm waiting to find out how it works for me.

I think 200mg is the therapeutic dose. That's what my Pdoc has me on and seems to be working fine.

I don't want to ever take an AD again. Cymbalta made me want to do away with myself, Zoloft had me thinking about hurting hubbie and they both caused mixed episodes. If pdoc & I can ever get the mixed under control I will have to find another way to deal with depression.

I have been on ad for so long due to incorrect dx. I'm on 200mg lamictal and doc thinks I could ween of eventually... but I am so scared to! My bp is so much depression it just seems weird. umm on 90mg cymbalta which had been good for a few years. the first one I was on wad Prozac and that ended me in the hospital after a lot of pills. some work differently

I had to go back on a tiny dose of Celexa a couple of weeks ago because I became depressed without it. This time it's only 5 mg instead of 10 which will hopefully keep me from getting manic. It doesn't take much to do it, apparently. I'm doing fine now.

They made me manic as hell!

They are no bueno, at least they were for me. I was on 40mg Paxil and it made me super manic, ended up maxing out credit cards going on online shopping sprees.

ADs have typically sent me into manic mode in the past. Recently I had a terrible bout with depression and pdoc asked if I wanted to try to take something to help. She made me promise to take my Lamictal religiously to avoid it from happening again. At first it was not good. I was having racing thoughts and sleepless nights. It tapered off and now I feel a lot better than I did before. I did also choose to use cannabis before bed to help with the sleeplessness. It helped. Now that I've been in the meds a couple months, I seem to have less instances of anxiety and panic as well. I'm taking 30 mg of Prozac in addition to the Lamictal and Clonazepam as needed for the anxiety.

I don't think you can take some else's experience and apply it to yourself. I have been on everything at least twice I think, but combined with different other combination. I have the best psych in the world and communication is the key. Im willingly to try whatever he says, if its going to work in the end

The ADs actually work for me as long as I take a mood stablizerwith them. I take 2....Wellbutrin and Zoloft. I also take Lamictal and Seroquel (for sleep). I'm BP1.

I have used antidepressants in the past, some work, some make me rapid cycle, and some send me manic, even on Lamictal (at high doses). I'm currently on a small dose of Zoloft, but with the Zeldox its all I need. Its doing the job the majority of the time.