[Fuzzybear]

What meds have helped you with severe depression?

[Soupe du jour]

Lamictal, out of a medium depression. I guess my severe depression was best helped by ECT. Some other depressions were before my formal diagnosis or ones that were after were sometimes treated with not just bipolar meds, but antidepressants, which inevitably made me manic. The mania, typical and mixed, were always worse than my pure depressions, so the ADs were not good solutions.

Hypomania, mania, and mixed states were usually my biggest issues. I can count my pure depressions on my two hands worth of fingers.

[Nammu]

I’ve gotten to the point I don’t seek medication for depression for the very reasons Soupe mentioned. The mixed and mania from AD is worse than the depression. I know beyond certainty that the mood is temporary and will change and improve so I am very Buddhisic about it. This too shall pass. I make no major decisions while depressed just endure

[MuddyBoots]

Prozac pulled me out of a severe depression, but I flew too close to the sun, my wings melted, and I crash-landed in the psych ward. Lithium did a good job at preventing depression but I can't take it anymore. Depakote, although very flattening, does keep me away from a very dark place (probably the best med I can tolerate).

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Emsam (seligiline) has been the only AD I can tolerate and that works. It is an MAOI but has less restrictions than traditional MAOIs (it's a patch). At the lowest dose there are no restrictions at all. It has virtually no side effects and has continued to work well l for 13 years now. I have always been on an AP and other meds (mood stabilizers, benzos) so that may be why i don't have side effects; they are covered up. But I like it.

[downandlonely]

I don't have bipolar, but I find Wellbutrin very helpful for depression. And I also know people with bipolar who can take Wellbutrin as long as they also take an anti-psychotic. Don't think it can be taken on its own if you're bipolar because of mania.

[*Beth*]

Hi Fuzzy, Even though I have bipolar disorder I have found the SSRI class of meds helpful. They seem to keep me from crashing into severe depression.

[Bugtussel]

Hello Fuzzy!
I currently use the SNRI, Cymbalta in addition to Lithium and Geodon to keep from mania. In the past, severe depression required ECT.

[Soupe du jour]

I wish I'd also added Seroquel to my post. Though it is an antipsychotic, I do think it's helped with some depression alleviation in the past. Generally if I'm in a mixed state, raising it can sometimes help. If I'm more purely depressed and very low energy, taking it but at slightly lower doses can make a difference. Most drug info websites say that doses of around 300 mg are recommended for bipolar depression. For mania, 300 mg up to 800 mg. I do think the dose can be different for different people and situations.

[HALLIEBETH87]

Celexa has saved me!

[Victoria'smom]

H takes welbutrin and lexapro
I take prozac

[Shoe]

Originally Posted by Nammu

I’ve gotten to the point I don’t seek medication for depression for the very reasons Soupe mentioned. The mixed and mania from AD is worse than the depression. I know beyond certainty that the mood is temporary and will change and improve so I am very Buddhisic about it. This too shall pass. I make no major decisions while depressed just endure

I watched this youtube video this morning that kind of fits in with your reply Nammu.

How To STOP NEGATIVE THOUGHTS & Control Your Mind TODAY | Dr. Ethan Kross - YouTube

[cashart10]

I can take Wellbutrin and trintellix at low dose…I have to take other bp meds as well but those seem to help with depression in general.