[rovers95]

So I fit the criteria for bipolar 2. In fact it seems all I've been doing since 2005 is chasing hypomania...and this has finally caught up with me.

Anyway, all of light box, sleep deprivation, and amitriptyline have made me unstable. But otherwise I am depressed, and I'll do anything to avoid that. I took a small dose of abilify (1mg) last night and I feel like I used to pre 2005..but I only slept 4 hours so most probably heading towards hypomania.

If I start to take a mood stabiliser ie lamotrigine, will I then be able to handle an AD (thinking wellbutrin and or abilify)? I really don't want to come crashing down after all this.

Has anyone with bipolar 2 been able to handle antidepressants with a mood stabiliser when they couldn't do so beforehand?

[Blue_Bird]

I have schizoaffective disorder bipolar type, initial diagnosis was bipolar type 1 w/ psychotic features. I have no problem taking the antidepressants since I'm also taking a moodstabilizer and antipsychotics with it, everyone is different though

[rovers95]

Thanks, did you have problems with ADs before the mood stabiliser?

[Sunflower123]

Abilify first caused me to have very poor to no sleep at all. I ran it by my pdoc and he kept me on it. The sleep issue went away after several days.

Good luck finding a med/med combo that works for you.

[Blue_Bird]

Originally Posted by rovers95

Thanks, did you have problems with ADs before the mood stabiliser?

Yeah I did, I wouldn't be able to sleep for days and have manic symptoms

well, sleeping 4 hours doesn’t necessarily imply you’re heading toward mania. Lots of people have difficulties sleeping on abilify if they take it before bed. That’s why a lot of people opt to take abilify in the morning instead.

But yes, mood stabilizers generally help in allowing people to tolerate antidepressants. However, some people can’t tolerate antidepressants at all, even at a max dose of a mood stabilizer and max dose of an antipsychotic. It really depends on your body’s chemistry/metabolism. Though I cannot deny the fact that taking a mood stabilizer and antipsychotic increases your chances of being able to tolerate an antidepressant.

[MickeyCheeky]

Just checking in here. I'm wishing you PLENTY of Good Luck with your healing, @rovers95! You've come to the right Forums in my opinion. I hope it will be of some help! Sending many safe, warm hugs to you, @rovers95, and ALL Of Your Loved Ones!

[sarahsweets]

@rovers95:

Originally Posted by rovers95

So I fit the criteria for bipolar 2. In fact it seems all I've been doing since 2005 is chasing hypomania...and this has finally caught up with me.

Anyway, all of light box, sleep deprivation, and amitriptyline have made me unstable. But otherwise I am depressed, and I'll do anything to avoid that. I took a small dose of abilify (1mg) last night and I feel like I used to pre 2005..but I only slept 4 hours so most probably heading towards hypomania.

If I start to take a mood stabiliser ie lamotrigine, will I then be able to handle an AD (thinking wellbutrin and or abilify)? I really don't want to come crashing down after all this.

Has anyone with bipolar 2 been able to handle antidepressants with a mood stabiliser when they couldn't do so beforehand?

Treatment for bipolar disorder, formerly called manic-depression, generally involves medications and forms of psychotherapy — whether you have bipolar I or bipolar II. Bipolar II disorder is not a milder form of bipolar I disorder, but a separate diagnosis.

While the manic episodes of bipolar I disorder can be severe and dangerous, individuals with bipolar II disorder can be depressed for longer periods, which can cause significant impairment with substantial consequences.

The types and doses of medications prescribed are based on your particular symptoms. Whether you have bipolar I or II, medications may include:

Mood stabilizers. You'll typically need mood-stabilizing medication to control episodes of mania or hypomania, which is a less severe form of mania. Examples of mood stabilizers include lithium (Lithobid), valproic acid (Depakene), divalproex sodium (Depakote), carbamazepine (Tegretol, Equetro, others) and lamotrigine (Lamictal).
Antipsychotics. Your psychiatric care provider may add an antipsychotic medication such as olanzapine (Zyprexa), risperidone (Risperdal), quetiapine (Seroquel), aripiprazole (Abilify), ziprasidone (Geodon), lurasidone (Latuda), cariprazine (Vraylar) or asenapine (Saphris). Your provider may prescribe some of these medications alone or along with a mood stabilizer.
Antidepressants. Your provider may add an antidepressant or one of the other medications used to treat bipolar disorder that has antidepressant effects to help manage depression. Because an antidepressant can sometimes trigger a manic episode, it needs to be prescribed along with a mood stabilizer or antipsychotic in bipolar disorder.
Antidepressant-antipsychotic. The medication Symbyax combines the antidepressant fluoxetine and the antipsychotic olanzapine. It works as a depression treatment and a mood stabilizer. Symbyax is approved by the Food and Drug Administration specifically for the treatment of depressive episodes associated with bipolar I disorder.
In addition to medication for bipolar disorder, other treatment approaches include:

Psychotherapy. As a key part of treatment, your psychiatric care provider may recommend cognitive behavioral therapy to identify unhealthy, negative beliefs and behaviors and replace them with healthy, positive ones. Other types of therapy also may help, such as social rhythm therapy — establishing a consistent routine for better mood management.
Substance abuse treatment. Many people with bipolar disorder also have alcohol, tobacco or drug problems. Drugs or alcohol may seem to ease symptoms, but they can actually trigger, prolong or worsen depression or mania. If you have a problem with alcohol or other drugs, tell your provider so that both your substance use and bipolar disorder can be treated.
Treatment programs. Participation in an outpatient treatment program for bipolar disorder can be very beneficial. However, your provider may recommend hospitalization if your bipolar disorder significantly affects your functioning or safety.
Self-management strategies. In addition to medications and other types of treatment, successful management of your bipolar disorder includes living a healthy lifestyle, such as getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet and being physically active. Keeping to a regular schedule, getting involved in social activities and joining a support group may also help. If you need advice in these areas, talk with your provider.
You may need to try different medications or combinations of medications to determine what works best. So it's important to regularly meet with your psychiatric care provider to see how well your treatment is working. If necessary, your provider may make periodic adjustments to your medication to keep symptoms and side effects under control.

IMO an antidepressant/mood stabilizer/atypical antipsychotic combos are the best ways to treat bipolar.