[Rhea17]

Any suggestion to get out of depression while on medication of bipolar disorder? I am seeing my loved one having the symptoms. Some days he will be feeling better,other days are meh! He finds it difficult to focus on anything, even a movie or a dinner. Questioning a lot why friends are not in touch with him. Feeling guilty about not being able to take responsibility financially. His medication just started a month back. He is also going for counselling from next week. He is craving mania and also thinking of taking a medication to trigger mania. Basically his energy levels are quite low. Everything is seeming boring to him. He is also lethargic towards everything except the necessary chores. His sensitivity is very high. How can I help him to cope with depression without triggering him? Any suggestions are highly appreciated. Does medication make you stable over time? Or this highs and lows will continue forever?
Bipolar disorder 2
Lithalent 300mg
Lamital 50mg
Stalopam 5mg
Resque 1mg
And many more!

[lilypup]

I will give you a thought about the friends. When he is feeling decent HE needs to contact THEM. People generally think about themselves first and are busy. Have him call his friends and go do something easy, like having coffee.

[*Laurie*]

Medication should level things out so the person is in a happy medium. It's not uncommon for people to miss their manic states, though.

I would suggest that triggering mania is not the answer, as mania can be destructive and will be inevitably followed by a depression as bad or worse than the one he's suffering right now. Most times that I've intentionally triggered mania in desperation to escape depression, things have gone very wrong. I'd suggest that he exercise, but that would make me a hypocrite, as I am depressed and deeply want to avoid doing anything, let alone exercise. A month is early; he may adjust to his medications over a longer period. If he doesn't improve, he could ask his doctor to alter his medication.

[Wander]

That must be tough for you both. Is he exercising, eating well, having a good sleep routine and doing things he (used to) enjoys? Simple CBT can really help the depression to pass quicker. If nothing helps then maybe his meds need to be tweaked so he should see his doctor soon. Also, when I was on Cymbalta (SNRI anti-depressant) it took over a month to work so maybe there is hope on the horizon.