[MissCathryn]

There are many for mania and anxiety. What about depression?

[wildflowerchild25]

Unfortunately the way I understand it is depression is more pervasive than mania and anxiety and most treatments take weeks to work. Some people go on some sort of antidepressant just for the duration of the episode and stop when they feel better but that's as close to "prn " as it gets. Again this is just what I think, I am by no means an expert.

[franz kafka]

Stimulants maybe? I don't know if doctors prescribe them as PRNs though.

[still_crazy]

stimulants. back in the day, they'd use the combo pills--"goof balls," if you will--that contained part sedative (usually a barbiturate, sometimes a sedating old school antipsychotic) and amphetamine, usually dexedrine. Sounds like old school medicatin', but when they worked, they could lift dark moods within 30 minutes.

Stimulants are still sometimes used in depression. I don't know if upper+downer combinations (these days, they'd have to prescribed separately) are used in depression. I have an acquaintance who's doing well on Seroquel at night and an Adderall xr in the morning, which is kind of like a 21st century goof ball.

Hope you can find something that works.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I used to take a very low dose of imipramine and then could jump it up by tiny increments if I got depressed. I was very sensitive to it (and most ADs) so couldn't stay on my "PRN" dose all the time but if I boosted it as soon as I knew I was depressed I could sometimes keep it from getting worse.

[MtnTime2896]

I was prescribed Adderall as a PRN for some time to help my depression, but I also had ADHD to go along with it. My primary care doctor was hesitant to start me on antidepressants at that time because of my history.

[JustJace2u]

For many people with BP, myself included, taking in AD can actually make things worse from what my t and pdoc have said. In my case it resulted in having more SIs with a plan and that landed me in the hospital right after Thanksgiving.

[pirilin]

Adderall will get you out. For a while. Maybe a short while.
The comedown is terrible and is also very addictive.
It acts in minutes. If there's a PRN faster acting, I want some.
Still, if I could tolerate it, I'll use it for life.
It's like an afterburner, a supercharger and a turbo all in one.
Unfortunately, all that goes up, comes down.
Good luck in your quest.

[Shazerac]

Wellbutrin is fast acting and it's not an ssri. Have you talked to your doc about that?

[MissCathryn]

Have you used Wellbutrin prn? It helps with a depressive episode? Wow! How much do you take?

I also take Adderall which helps tremendously. With this particular mixed episode, taking an Adderall to get going, with a Xanax to stop the obsessive mind racing is helping quite a bit

[pirilin]

Originally Posted by NeatFreakmom

Have you used Wellbutrin prn? It helps with a depressive episode? Wow! How much do you take?

I also take Adderall which helps tremendously. With this particular mixed episode, taking an Adderall to get going, with a Xanax to stop the obsessive mind racing is helping quite a bit

You're already familiar with the Blues Brothers. Nothing is faster.

[Shazerac]

I take it occasionally as an addition to my celexa, but when I do I take it for months at a time. I don't take it here and there like a benzo prn

[Soupe du jour]

For me, my Seroquel XR is effective for many issues. Higher doses can curb my growing mania, but sometimes even growing depression, specifically mixed type. It's a good remedy for my anxiety and agitation which can amplify negative feelings and thoughts. Or, sometimes even just decreasing my Seroquel XR helps by alleviating excess fatigue. Fatigue, itself, can be a downer. Fatigue can make my thinking cloudy. By easing it, my thinking clears, and energy rises, which often brings a more pleasant mood.