[deeronjepsuhn]

Hey guys,
I stopped taking anti-psychotics a little over a month ago, with the support and approval of my psychiatrist. For whatever reason, I have been doing even better. I don't want to talk about anything else regarding that though. The downfall is, I'm worried about my depression getting a little high and low. I have continued the use of Lamictal, because it's my safety net in terms of preventing an episode. I chose to stay on the mood stabilizer for this reason.

However a week or two ago, I had dealt with a lot of emotional issues, a lot of negative feelings and things happening in my life. I was overwhelmed with the strength and depth of my feelings, that they had became after discontinuing medication. The medication was completely out of my blood perhaps. I had weekend of a lot of highs and lows in depression. Derealization also occurs bad when I feel like **** physically and emotionally. I was having physical health issues, and some emotional turmoil. I felt a tiniest bit of hypomania, or atleast on the edge of not being okay mentally, in public (this occured at my job before I clocked in). It all stopped a day after.

I'm seeking an anti-depressant that could mediate my depressive disorder. I'm Schizoaffective Depressive type. I can suffer from chronic depression, especially when experiencing episodes. I read that as stress causes bipolar relapses, emotional trauma causes schizo relapses. I think I need a mood-stabilizing anti-depressant. I would HIGHLY prefer one where sexual dysfunction and libido ARE NOT affected. My libido and sexual functionality has skyrocketed, and I would choose it over being on an anti-depressant. I read Wellbutrin doesn't affect libido much. However I'm not sure how that works with SZA disorder. I just need a great anti-depressant to nullify these lows in my behavior and wellbeing. I have a lot of highs now, as my personality as bursted with energy. So I have the energy sometimes to feel great, and I think the bad lows are causing chemical imbalances, which for all I know could cause me to relapse.

Please give me some advice. I appreciate everything guys! My depression has been the main concern of my psychiatrist, who I have been seeing for a year and a half now. He never talks about the schizophrenia really, just the depression. He thinks I'm depressed a lot.

[Piraeus]

Hi deeronjepsuhn. It's nice to meet you. It's great that you have a psychiatrist to work with you. I suggest you check out the coping with emotions forum. You can also check out the depression forum.

I'm on Celexa right now for depression. It doesn't seem to be helping. I think I need to find a different ant-depressant.I hope you find something soon. Maybe you can call your doctor's office and ask for an earlier appointment.Good luck

[Sometimes psychotic]

Wellbutrin enhances dopamine....it can actually trigger psychosis so it's not one I would recommend.

[(JD)]

As you try the medications remember to not let yourself hope too high in them, as they do not work for everyone (the manufacturers state they help less than 30%)...so don't think it's all about you if one doesn't work...or two...or any.

I would suggest that you being cognitive behavioral therapy...by changing how we think in situations that are stressful we change how well we go through it and limit the reactions and better the outcomes. It takes practice so that when a stressful event occurs in your life the proper thinking and responses kick in by habit... that's important because initially we all tend to REact rather than REspond.

Glad your pdoc is giving you support in this.
Good wishes!

[NanuConfused]

Lexapro is a wonderful antidepressant, I recommend it. Wellbutrin on the other hand, has been keeping me more awake, but making me more psychotic I think. Wish it could work out for me.