[bevet02]

So I just went to my last psych doctor appointment to get another refill since I had moved, and will be seeing another one once my medical gets transferred over. I tried to explain that I was getting that "High" feeling coming through with my medications. He then told me that it was caused by having PTSD and OCD, and not bipolar.

I asked to start on lamictal or another mood stabilizer but wouldn't let me try it. So what I got from that was that, I should just suck it up and deal with that horrible feeling if I decide to be on an anti-depressant. I'm on luvox and seroquel and while that feeling isn't all the time, if I was to go on something like Effexor or Prozac....it would be a lot more intense and all the time.

And I'm not even 100% sure I have PTSD honestly as it seems it can be over-diagnosed at times. I know the very first time I met with him for my appointment, Depakote was the first medication he offered but decided on something else. Also, the last time I had seen him before that, I would bring up my symptoms but it was like he didn't care to try to add anything else.

In reality, it wouldn't of hurt just too add one more medication to see if it would help. It just doesn't make any sense. Now, I'm hoping then next psychiatrist won't be anything like him. All I can think to do is push the bipolar symptoms and hope to be treated better. Has anyone had there doctor tell them that hypomanic symptoms could be caused by PTSD only while on medications? I can't seem to find any articles mentioning it. Thanks

[sarahsweets]

Originally Posted by bevet02

So I just went to my last psych doctor appointment to get another refill since I had moved, and will be seeing another one once my medical gets transferred over. I tried to explain that I was getting that "High" feeling coming through with my medications. He then told me that it was caused by having PTSD and OCD, and not bipolar.

Can you describe the "high" feeling?

I asked to start on lamictal or another mood stabilizer but wouldn't let me try it. So what I got from that was that, I should just suck it up and deal with that horrible feeling if I decide to be on an anti-depressant. I'm on luvox and seroquel and while that feeling isn't all the time, if I was to go on something like Effexor or Prozac....it would be a lot more intense and all the time.

I do not understand why he wouldnt let you try lamictal or why he thinks another antidepressant would make you feel high.

And I'm not even 100% sure I have PTSD honestly as it seems it can be over-diagnosed at times. I know the very first time I met with him for my appointment, Depakote was the first medication he offered but decided on something else. Also, the last time I had seen him before that, I would bring up my symptoms but it was like he didn't care to try to add anything else.

In reality, it wouldn't of hurt just too add one more medication to see if it would help. It just doesn't make any sense. Now, I'm hoping then next psychiatrist won't be anything like him. All I can think to do is push the bipolar symptoms and hope to be treated better. Has anyone had there doctor tell them that hypomanic symptoms could be caused by PTSD only while on medications? I can't seem to find any articles mentioning it. Thanks

Do you have a trauma history that would explain the ptsd dx?

[bevet02]

The high feeling has always been tough for me describe for some reason. It only seems to happen when I take anti-depressants but it feels good, in a bad way. More along the lines of what hypomania feels like I imagine. I used to experiment with ecstasy awhile ago and would say it's similar to that but, just really agitated at the same time. Something that I wouldn't want to feel all the time. I'm not really sure either why just adding a mood stabilizer would hurt anything. I have been on lamictal before just never with an anti depressant.

My doctor back about 4 years ago mentioned that would be the next step to take both, just never got to that point. I think I have PTSD symptoms from trauma as a child. Having nightmares of the situation seems to be a big factor in diagnosing PTSD, but I just can't recall having them. I have still been searching to see if somehow Trauma could cause the symptoms of hypomania.

[~Christina]

I hope your new Psychiarist is better suited and will actually listen to you.

I took an antidepressant and flew to the moon for a few years. Now I take a stabilizer to bring me back down to baseline. Without the AD though, I would stabilize into depression, so take a little Prozac to help get there.

I’ve read that somewhere where ptsd can appear as bipolar.

[MobiusPsyche]

I haven't heard of this but I'm willing to accept that hypomania might - - might - - be a symptom of CPTSD. But full blown mania...no way. That is bipolar all the way.

You seem to be telling the pdoc that you're having warning signs of hypomania which should be taken seriously in someone with a history of mania. He's not taking it seriously.

[Guiness187055]

When I was on SSRI's I had the same feelings as you. I later found out it was hypo mania on my way to full blown mania. SSRI's and I don't mix. Especially prozac and zoloft.

[Aurelius710]

I don't have much to say other than I hope your new psych doctor pays more attention to what you have to say than the previous one did.

[downandlonely]

I hope the new psychiatrist listens too. I have never heard of PTSD causing mania.

Also, do you have a family history of bipolar?

[Fuzzybear]

I hope the new psychiatrist actually listens to you.

[bevet02]

Originally Posted by downandlonely

I hope the new psychiatrist listens too. I have never heard of PTSD causing mania.

Also, do you have a family history of bipolar?

My dad had a lot of traits of bipolar I think.(Don't believe he has ever been diagnosed though).His moods would be all over the place but, mostly towards anger. He is really the only parent that showed symptoms.