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Do SSRIs trigger mania in bipolar patients?

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Bipolar Disorder
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Posted 7/28/2012 4:38 PM (GMT -5)
I lived most of my life swinging between deep depression and good moods, but never experienced a real manic episode until I started taking zoloft. (An SSRI antidepressant). After the manic episode I was prescribed a mood stabilizer it went away. A few years later I was prescribed lexapro (another SSRI) which was followed by a another severe manic episode. I was then diagnosed with bipolar because of the manic episodes. Has anyone ever had a similar experience, where the mania was followed by an SSRI? (zoloft, prozac, lexapro, ect) Or have you known anyone with a similar experience? If this is common, I think doctors should be much more cautious when prescribing antidepressants....perhaps they should first screen for bipolar before doing so.
Posted 7/29/2012 3:26 PM (GMT -5)
I have been kicked into mania at least 3 times due to SSRI. When I go into a deep depression the drs. don't know how to treat me except an anti-depressent. Then they don't want to take me off because "it (antidpressent) is working." Sooner or later off I go into mania. I am currently on an SSRI, and I am just waiting to head off into Mania land,, before the doc agrees to take me off. Then of course they want to increase my Seroquel, which I absolutely hate being on.
Just be careful!
Posted 7/29/2012 6:18 PM (GMT -5)
Yes, SSRI's often trigger mania in people with BP. However, they can trigger mania in people without BP too! This is why mania caused by medication is not counted towards a diagnosis of BP.

Have you had a manic episode without having an SSRI?
Posted 7/30/2012 8:59 AM (GMT -5)
I have never had a manic episode without an SSRI, although when I was younger I would fluctuate between depression, anxiety, and really good moods (productive, happy, optimistic, ect).

I wish though that doctors were much more careful when prescribing SSRIs, because manic episodes can be very dangerous...

Thank you for your responses
Posted 7/30/2012 11:07 AM (GMT -5)
FYI: Definitely been in mania without SSRI. Mania (without SSRI's) is the main reason that I have gone off my med's more times than I can count.
Posted 8/11/2012 10:11 AM (GMT -5)
I had the exact opposite reaction to SSRI's and Tricyclic's. I was placed on Zoloft for depression when I was in my 30's, but after several months I got to the point where I was ready to explode. Before that I had been on Elavil for migraine headaches. I was down to only 2 headaches a month when m y Dr doubled the dose leading to my first psychotic break, I pretty much tore my room apart and sat in a corner and cried. I was diagnosed as Hypomanic Bipolar in 2000, went off my meds in 2001, and then due to anxiety of my mom's cancer diagnosis, I was placed on Ativan 1mg 2x per day. After 3 months, I was a so depressed I wanted to empty every pill bottle in my house. I went back to my doctor who said that the original diagnosis was probably correct and started me on Abilify. Due to cost, I changed meds with help from my PMHNP and am stable now.
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Bipolar with Hypomania and Suicidal ideations / ADHD
Meds
Topamax 200mg
Lamictal 200mg
Adderrall 30mg
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