[Miss Laura]

So the time of year has come and I'm slightly depressed. I saw my CPN on Fri and he says I'm flatter in tone then I was last month. We spoke about the time of year and how SAD plays a big part in my mood. We also spoke about adding an Anti-Deppresant into the mix. I don't take any cause they use to send me manic. I normally just have to ride the depression out. Which I have had to do and have successfully done. So I know I can get through this. My paranoia has came back too. Kinda scared to go home to my flat. Been staying at my parents house since Thurs night. Going home tonight. I'm seeing my Peer Support Worker tomorrow morning. My CPN wants to see me in 2 weeks.

What Anti-Deppresants have helped people with BP1?

[Victoria'smom]

I was on welbutrin and Effexor

[JustJace2u]

I'm currently on Wellbutrin but I'm not sure if it's honestly helping me. My mood has still been mostly in a depressed state, so much so that I'm continually having thoughts of SI which is so not like me, even this time of year. I hope you find something soon that works better for you.

[xRavenx]

So I know the answer is going to be different for everyone, but this is my own personal experience....

Any antidepressant in the SSRI family has led to mania. The most severe time was actually when I was experiencing some winter depression, so we added Zoloft to my mood stabilizer and antipsychotic. It led to a really nasty mixed episode and psychosis. Now, I swear off of SSRI antidepressants. Wellbutrin also made me manic and gave me a speedy feeling, though not as severe as with SSRIs. I still won't take it again though.

For me, taking a mood stabilizer that has been approved to also treat depression has been effective. For instance, Lamotrigine has helped many people with Bipolar Depression while still working as a mood stabilizer to help protect against mania, and that includes me.

I also hear that some with BP1 do well on Abilify for depression as well as it acting as an antipsychotic. When I was on it, the Abilify only helped a little bit. It did help prevent the depression from getting worse, though Lamotrigine was more effective for me personally. It works wonders for some though. Some have told me Latuda has helped them with depression as well, although like Abilify, it's also technically an AP.

[Wild Coyote]

I have not experienced BP-I, o cannot answer your question.

I do hope you find helpful answers -- and relief -- soon.


WC

[Miss Laura]

Thanks goes I already take Abilify just 5mg and my CPN has said he could up it if I continue to feel low. I also take Serequol 150mg XR and Depakote 1,000mg. Weird thing is I'm feeling slightly happy today with a slight low side to me but I have been in plain view of my friends and family so have put my mask on. I'm now home feeling emotional. I don't know what's going on to be honest