So, I propose to you this question -- Have you ever had a complete mood change, from one end of the continuum to the other overnight? Could medications cause an immediate effect on mood?


So, I don't post often anymore because my depression has been terrible. My posts wouldn't be worth reading and I prefer to be encouraging and insightful when I can be than complain and be negative. Anyway, I've hit low after low and I was pretty much at the end of my rope up until yesterday. Don't ask me how or why.. but today I feel freaking fantastic. Nothing I felt yesterday, or for the last 6 months is remotely present.


The only change between yesterday and today is that I started a new medicine, Lamictal. It's not crazy to think psych meds can have immediate effects. While it takes some time to develop therapeutic levels in your body, these meds are acting with every dose on chemicals in your brain. Mood can fluctuate. I mean lots of times they are categorized in side effects as let's say "irritability", for example. I'm not saying that's the cause of my sudden change in mood, but I'm so grateful for it. Literally the world looked so bleak and everything seemed hopeless. I wasn't suicidal, but getting out of bed just wasn't worth it.

I noticed yesterday I felt relaxed. I felt calm. It was a nice change. Today? I feel amazing. I feel focused and able to think clearly. it's like a miracle has been preformed.

Anyway, thoughts? I'm just curious has anyone ever experienced such a dramatic change so suddenly? I never have and so it's a little mind boggling.

[Under*Over]

Yeah. Ive had several mood changes in a single day before! From super energetic to very depressed, back to energetic

Medications can definitely have an effect. Ive found this most obviously the case for ME with antidepressants- but dont see why other drugs couldnt cause similar problems for other people

Sounds like maybe you are rapid cycling?

[MickeyCheeky]

I have never experienced this, Brentus, so unfortunately I don't have a lot of advice to give to you. However I think it's great that you're feeling better! I'm really happy for you I completely agree with what Under*Over has already wisely said better than I ever could. Yes, meds can sometimes change our mood drastically. I'd suggest to wait a few days and see how it goes from there. If you continue to feel this way, perhaps you've found the right meds combination for you! Remember that mood swings are pretty common in Bipolar as well. I'm not sure if they can happen overnight, though. Perhaps that could be the cause as well. I'd suggest to talk to your Pdoc about this and see how it goes from there. Hopefully he/she will be able to help you. Either way, I'm glad you're feeling better! I hope you will continue to feel this way. Remember that we're here for you if you need it. Feel free to PM me anytime. Let me know if I can do something to help you. Wish you good luck! Let us know how it goes. Sending many hugs to you

[Tryingtobehappy5]

I have had a few times where this has happened, most of my switches are not so abrupt though. Lately at the end of my mania I will have a switch either overnight or an immediate one in the middle of the day. Unfortunately that switch turns me into a monster whos only mission is to die(but still alive so far thanks to cops and drs and lifeflight lol) After that last mania I spent time ultra rapid cycling for a couple of weeks in hospital so it would switch more than once a day and then I hit depression like a brick wall and didnt get out of bed for a week except to walk to the dining area at meals. Finally one afternoon I got out of bed and was fine, happy, normal. Got to go home just a few days later.

I have never had a medication have a lasting effect on me immediately except extremely sedating meds. I am not trying to say its not possible. With my last med change I felt great immediately, but it was that hope, the excitement for positive change that made me feel that way. It didnt stay that way the whole time, there are still rough patches but I am still doing better than I was before and that initial incredible happiness was great.

[Merlin]

I had a rapid switch with my first anti depressant. It ended up leading to a hypomanic episode and a mixed episode with rapid cycling so not the best. I’ve always responded quickly to medication and not always that negatively. I would keep a close eye on your mood.

Like Merlin, I had a very rapid switch with my first AD. Misdiagnosed and no idea about what BP was really. Within 2 days I went from severely depressed, to way overly happy, wowza hypo, then, well, basically, chaos.

Non med-induced, I had this one time where I literally woke up very, very hyper. Just obnoxiously hyper. Pulsing with electricity. And it stayed, but only for a day and a half(!) It was bizarre.

I'm so glad you are feeling so much better! (And never worry about depressed posts. Sometimes we give, sometimes we receive. It's all good.)

I also had an immediate reaction to Wellbutrin last Fall but i believe it was the chemicals plus my predisposition to hypomania at that time of year. I was taking the Wellbutrin in the dead of Winter and it didn't do anything.

[Wander]

Although I have had this happen quite a few times in the past, the most stark switch was a few weeks ago where I was profoundly in a dangerous dark place in hospital about to be locked up the next day, and then woke the next day feeling calm, joyful, peaceful, with no thoughts of self harm. To go from a psychotic mixed episode to stable overnight was something I struggling to put words to. Initially it was amazing and I welcomed the change but later I found it jolting, overwhelming, weird, still wonderful, and a bit traumatising. I hope that helps.

Tracked my moods for the last few days -- 1/10 I'd say an 8 generally all day, everyday. (I know a lot of people use an app to track moods-- I made my own chart so I could make notes) I've had some issues in these past few days that really affected me but in the end I feel better. I feel good Who the hell cares why, I'm enjoying it. I need a break from the depression.

[Pookyl]

Yes I rapid cycle although not as badly as I used to. Strictly speaking ‘rapid cycling’ = x4 or more manic or depressed episodes per year. Forgetting to take a medication will cause me to ultra-rapid cycle.

[yellow_fleurs]

The first couple days I took Lamictal I went from depressed to suddenly happy and calm. It was very odd because I had been having some dark thoughts I won't put here because I don't want to trigger anyone, but then I was like oh, the world is fine and those thoughts I had for like a year were all ridiculous. Then I got super irritable by like the 3rd or 4th day. It was weird, I got more and more irritable and started to feel unstable and impulsive as we increased the dose. I definitely had a not typical reaction, though. It was a very quick switch for me and my psychiatrist kind of did not think it was related to the meds, but it got worse as we increased the dose and stopped after we stopped it. I do not know what the deal was with me, but I had been in a mixed episode from an SSRI immediately prior, so my theory is maybe it lifted my mood but did not stop the episode so I was happy but still kind of mixed. Weird times.