[Darlingminx]

I think there is a push to use antipsychotics for bp mania and depression. And it probably works for a lot of people but the side effects r horrendous and life altering for some people. I personally view them as a last resort for my symptoms. I'd rather live with the chaos than deal with the side effects. Maybe part of that is because I used to b anorexic (not an extreme case).
I take lamictal 200mg and Effexor 75mg(I'm only on my second week). Lamictal is the first mood stabilizer I've ever taken and it's amazing. I've used other antidepressants, mostly for anxiety and I had some scary side effects. A seizure from Wellbutrin and a racing heart from celebs both of which I stopped immediately. I was afraid of lamictal for a long time because of the rash thing.
Is anyone else terrified of the side effects from antipsychotics? If you could safely use antidepressants with mood stabilizers would u chose to do it?
Sorry if I'm rambling. It's been a long day and I'm exhausted.

[Nammu]

I can't stand AD, I think they are evil, worse than APs

[Wander]

I take antipsychotics and find they help reduce my symptoms. At the moment I am battling a mixed episode so I am increasing the amount of antipsychotics I take. It is helping. I really couldn't function without it. I am most afraid of the weight gain issues so I reduce my AP intake as soon as I can when feeling well. Thankfully the only other side effect for me is restless legs syndrome. Which only happens once in a while. I wouldn't say I am terrified but I am cautious int my use of AP's. Recently I dropped my AD as it may have been contributing to rapid cycling. I have noticed no change really but am glad to at least be off one med. I still use Lithium which is a great mood stabiliser for me.

[ComfortablyNumb5]

APs have helped a lot of people with BP, probably more than an AD. I'm on an AD now ONLY because I'm on a stabilizer as well (but because of sexual side effects I may quit it). So ADs have just as much side effects on someone with BP than APs, at least from my experience. I've had some ADs completely mess me up many times and I'll never touch those ones again.

Like you, I too have a history (a rather serious, long one) of eating disorders so I avoid the APs that make you gain. For example, I would never be able to deal with the weight gain of Zyprexa so I won't ever try it.

But when it comes down to it, every class of meds for BP comes with side effects that differ for each person. Some people have no side effects at all. So don't be too quick to knock APs just yet. There may come a day where you need them.

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[Wanderlust90]

I felt the same way about antipsychotics. Personally the ADs did more damage than good, APs actually helped, albeit with some side effects but like rxqueen said there are some ****** AD side effects too, like sexual side effects, I got REALLY bad bruxism too & woke up with headaches every morning. I also question if the ADs caused emotional blunting or if it was lithium or simply just a worsening of my depression. If anything antipsychotics have a reputation for emotional blunting but I've had none on APs. Anyways don't jump to conclusions about APs too quickly, I think they're demonised somewhat.

[lacerta]

I agree with those who feel AD useless. I have had severe cases of depression in which AD have helped to relieve symptoms, but I have had episodes with no effect. APs however help me to reduce mixed episodes and mania well. I can't stand any of them, I feel better on mood stabiliser (though I'm not sure it helps much as still I have lows and highs).

[optimistic_dolphin]

i hate weight gain,the worst being olanzapine
stiffness can be really bad, but my pdoc stops those as soon as it starts
i would prefer AD but i can't take them coz a bit can makes me very irritable and manic
i wish my dr would prescribe me AD though
I need AP coz i have paranoia, delusions and hallucinations

[raspberrytorte]

I am done with APs. Never again.

[BastetsMuse]

Originally Posted by Darlingminx

Is anyone else terrified of the side effects from antipsychotics? If you could safely use antidepressants with mood stabilizers would u chose to do it?
Sorry if I'm rambling. It's been a long day and I'm exhausted.

I have taken antipsychotics and they didn't work well for me. I actually do take a mood stabilizer (Geodon) with an antidepressant (Brintellix). I also take Adderall for my ADD. I have klonopin and lunesta prn and I seem to do all right, but am slightly on the depressive side of things.

[SingDanceRunLife]

I've always taken both an AD and an AP because that's how my body responds best it seems. I can't imagine doing well on just an AD and mood stabilizer.

[zepchic]

The only AP I have taken is risperdal and it works really well for me, takes off the irritable edge. But that said, I feel like it probably messes with my mind the most. I thought I was the only one terrified of drugs making me gain weight. I don't have any official ed history, but know I have some tendencies. As far as AD go, I like the wellbutrin for the first week or so, it gives me this up rush like hypomania, but then it goes away. I've seen wellbutrin referred to as the 'happy, horny, skinny pill' I didn't like effexor (don't remember why) and prozac made me CRAZY (like most bp)

[Icare dixit]

Depression is useful and you wouldn't want to miss it.

Depression is like closing your eyes. Antidepressants/anxiolytics are like having them closed while believing you can see.

Antidepressants/anxiolytics might give you a feeling you are free, antipsychotics might allow you to actually be free. They may give you a feeling of control.

Antidepressants/anxiolytics allow you to move, antipsychotics allow you to know where you're going.

Bit simplistic, but hopefully useful analogies.

You can use an atypical antipsychotic or a typical antipsychotic and an antidepressant, since they would do (basically) the same things. But there should be a balance. An imbalance is likely to be greater than a specific supposed (but logical) chemical imbalance when you are not manic or depressed. Atypical antipsychotics are quite good at keeping a balance, I believe.

I think an atypical together with typical antipsychotic might still be better, giving a finer balance, in some cases. That also means that using an atypical antipsychotic together with an antidepressant might cause an even greater imbalance.

Addiction/dependence is probably far less likely when using antipsychotics, just logically. There is of course very much (anecdotal) evidence to support it.

All meds are second best. Best would be to have an accepting and accommodating society. A less normative society. Much can also be improved by embracing BP, not dissociating yourself from mania and/or depression, completely.

[Darlingminx]

I didn't expect so many responses. Cool. I would have to say that Prozac made me hypo manic the first time I used and did nothing the second time. and Paxil had a numbing effect. When I took Paxil it pretty much prevented me from (trigger?) checking out but the second time I took it I had too many side effects.
And when I took zyprexa, I was in a drug rehab and got sent back to detox under one to one observation for things I said. Then I was sent to a dual diagnosis unit. It's probably the only reason I was able to get clean but I gained 30 pounds and started developing ED behaviors.
So far Effexor hAsnt caused any problems or side effects but it hasn't been very long so idk if it'll work out or not.
I've been diagnosis bp2 by three different doctors.