[Linc6119]

So 2 weeks ago I was diagnosed with BP 1. I'm confused with this diagnosis because I was in a lexapro induced mania. I got put on lexapro to help me sleep I had been about 3 weeks with 2 to 4 hours of sleep a night. Within 4 days of the lexapro i felt like I could stop a moving car. I would be in my house by myself and jump up and down I was so happy had so much energy. About 2 weeks in I had intense feelings of quitting my job and writing a book. I swore it could've been a NY times best seller. Then I started to have outbursts of rage and agitated crying. I got put on 1200 mg of lithium daily and 300 mg of gabapentin before bed. Has anyone else been diagnosed after a SSRI mania? Now that I'm familiar with the symptoms I would say I have had periods of hypomania and depression I would go party and do illicit drugs, sleep with alot of women for 3 months then isolate myself and not talk to anybody for 6 months. Just wanted other opinions and relatable situations

[Mountainbard]

Welcome to Psych Central, Linc. I had a hypomanic episode in 2012, caused by Cymbalta, which cost me my job and led to my diagnosis. That was followed by a long deep depression that I'm just now finally getting out of.

[wiretwister]

yep , lexapro put me inpatient, dxed bipolar while in hospital ... though not the first time dxed ... first many years earlier ...

[*Laurie*]

Awful, awful dysphoric mania (severe anxiety/agitation/delusional fears) from a clinical dose of two SSRI's. Not a fun way to be hypomanic or manic.

I've got a messed up story. I suffer depression and knew nothing about hypomania, so I saw my GP and he prescribed me Welbutrin. Well, it made my depression worse, but gave me crazy highs which I never reported. So, the doctor bumped up the Welbutrin, and again I said my depression was worse because I was cycling like every 3 days. I found a pdoc that prescribed me more Welbutrin...I was up to 300 mg, I was just plain nuts for 2 years.

I finally just flat out told my then pdoc I was bipolar...duh. I got stabilizers and they dropped the Welbutrin. I'm sensitive to AD. The Prozac is just enough to get to baseline. I was labeled BD1. The only time that I got delusional was when I stayed up for a week on Coke or speed.

I'm misdiagnosed, but the meds I get work. It's just a number.

If a person takes AD and cycles...that person is bipolar.

[Linc6119]

Thank you for all your replies, I am so happy I stumbled across this forum, I like having a place to go knowing they are others that have a experience and can offer advice and what not. I've been on Lithium for about 2 weeks, I still have a hard time with dealing that I have to take medication for the rest of my life. I get sad that this medicine will be controlling my mania, and yes I know there are plenty of downsides to being manic but I still loved the good parts of it. I play guitar and bass, so I just felt way more in touch with my creative side of things while manic. Also another question, how have you dealt with work? I've been out of work for 3 weeks, and going back is going to be a challenge I feel like a completely different person. I work in sales and its high stress I've read it might be an idea to change that. Any advice?

I wound up going part time and resigning from a management position. That's not an option for everyone but when I originally went back full time after a manic break it was just too much and I wound up in the hospital again. If you can find a lower stress job I would recommend it.

[CassieBess]

Interested in your post as I am awaiting confirmation of BP diagnosis. I have experienced reactive depression most of my adult life. Treated with SSRIs. Can't say I have ever had an SSRI mania, just though I was happy.

My symptoms of mania (if that is in fact what they are) aren't as extreme as you describe here. I am aware that SSRIs can induce mania in BP.

Time will tell for me I guess.

[czarina1984]

I was once set off full blown mania from st johns wort and 5-htp. my mother was set off by changes in blood pressure meds. and a close friend was set off by an anti-biotic. we are all so different and react to all kinds of chemicals. some worse than others.

Originally Posted by Linc6119

Thank you for all your replies, I am so happy I stumbled across this forum, I like having a place to go knowing they are others that have a experience and can offer advice and what not. I've been on Lithium for about 2 weeks, I still have a hard time with dealing that I have to take medication for the rest of my life. I get sad that this medicine will be controlling my mania, and yes I know there are plenty of downsides to being manic but I still loved the good parts of it. I play guitar and bass, so I just felt way more in touch with my creative side of things while manic. Also another question, how have you dealt with work? I've been out of work for 3 weeks, and going back is going to be a challenge I feel like a completely different person. I work in sales and its high stress I've read it might be an idea to change that. Any advice?

It might be awhile for you to return to your present position. I wasn't able to do what I do (self employed ) until I got my meds right. Even today it's hectic and can be overwhelming at times, but I manage better than before. Good luck!

[BipolaRNurse]

Wellbutrin made me manic and psychotic. But it wasn't until I started having full-blown manic episodes on my own that I was diagnosed with bipolar 1. Mania resulting from antidepressant use didn't use to count toward that diagnosis until the new DSM changed it. (That's the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders which is the Bible for diagnosticians.) So now you can be called BP 1 even if your only manic episode was touched off by an antidepressant.

[BastetsMuse]

Originally Posted by Linc6119

So 2 weeks ago I was diagnosed with BP 1. I'm confused with this diagnosis because I was in a lexapro induced mania. I got put on lexapro to help me sleep I had been about 3 weeks with 2 to 4 hours of sleep a night. Within 4 days of the lexapro i felt like I could stop a moving car. I would be in my house by myself and jump up and down I was so happy had so much energy. About 2 weeks in I had intense feelings of quitting my job and writing a book. I swore it could've been a NY times best seller. Then I started to have outbursts of rage and agitated crying. I got put on 1200 mg of lithium daily and 300 mg of gabapentin before bed. Has anyone else been diagnosed after a SSRI mania? Now that I'm familiar with the symptoms I would say I have had periods of hypomania and depression I would go party and do illicit drugs, sleep with alot of women for 3 months then isolate myself and not talk to anybody for 6 months. Just wanted other opinions and relatable situations

Oh yes, I was diagnosed because of being on Paxil and heading into a mania because of that. It was clear as day that I was bipolar. Still am, no mistake. Welcome to the club.

When prescribed a new antidepressant (and I never take an AD without being on a mood stabilizer) I will feel a LIFT the day I take the drug, then things will settle down to normal over time.

There are times I miss the highs. I felt connected to God. But being down on earth has its plusses, too.

[Linc6119]

Yeah I figured it's gonna be a little while before returning to aby kind of work. I'm just very stressed I don't know what to do about my job I don't feel like it'd be a good fit for me anymore. I feel like a completely different person and I'm having trouble talking to strangers anyone else feel completely different after mania?