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Member Since Sep 2020
Location: Harrisburg
Posts: 5
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#1
I’m pretty sure I have treatment resistant depression because I’ve failed so many antidepressants, but I’ve heard that many psychiatrists augment antidepressants with mood stabilizers or antipsychotic medications. I’m not sure exactly why they do that and the prospect scares me a little, but has anyone here had success with that strategy?
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bpcyclist
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bpcyclist
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Magnate
Member Since Jul 2014
Location: VA
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#2
My wife and I both are on what you are discussing and they keep both of us level, but that’s us. We have minimal side effects luckily, but I can’t guarantee that. It effects everyone differently. I hope this helps.
__________________ “Then what is your advice to new practitioners”? “The same as for old practitioners! Keep at it “. Ajahn Chah Bipolar 1 PTSD Social Anxiety Disorder Panic Attacks Parkinsonism Dissociative Amnesia Abilify 15mg Viiibryd 40mg Clonzapam.05mg x2 Depakote 1500mg Gabapentin 300mg x 3 Wellbutrin 300mg Carbidopa/Levodopa 25mg-100mg x 3 |
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bpcyclist
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bpcyclist
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Moderator
Community Support Team Member Since Mar 2006
Location: Ontario, Canada
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#3
I take an anti-psychotic, Risperidone, to augment my anti-depressant.
I had some weird side effects initially, but they mostly went away with time, and now I feel like the combination is really working. splitimage |
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bpcyclist
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bpcyclist
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Member
Member Since Mar 2020
Location: Michigan
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#4
Antipsychotics can definitely be used to augment antidepressants. There are many antipsychotics that are good for mood stabilization.
Personally, I was on Wellbutrin and Lamictal for mood stabilization (Bipolar Disorder) and was still feeling significant depression. My PA at the time prescribed Latuda, which is the first antipsychotic I've ever been on, and it did wonders to help my depression. If you're hesitant, it's good to talk with your doctor about the options and why they are thinking a certain medication. There is good evidence that augmenting can help. Antipsychotics are not without risks, though, so you want to make sure you go in fully informed. |
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bpcyclist
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*Beth*, bpcyclist
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Member Since Jul 2018
Location: CA
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#5
I have schizoaffective disorder so I am on an AP. I take Rexulti. It caused significant weight gain but I stayed on it because its the only thing that has helped. But literally I gained like
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bpcyclist
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bpcyclist
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Grand Member
Member Since Jan 2015
Location: USA
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#6
I take Abilify as well as Lexapro for depression. It helps, whereas the antidepressant alone does not work for me personally.
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bpcyclist
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bpcyclist
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#7
Personally with BPII I feel like both are necessary. One for the depression and one for the mood stabilization. Anti-psych's can be used for mood stabilization also.
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*Beth*, bpcyclist
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Location: UK
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#8
Quetiapine works on low mood as well as other bipolar symptoms. I would not go for Risperidone or Aripiprazole. Olanzapine is very sedating, avoid. Lithium is a salt, avoid. A lot of people seem to have success with Amisulpride and Lamictal.
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bpcyclist
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bpcyclist
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Junior Member
Member Since Oct 2020
Location: U.S.
Posts: 11
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#9
Like what's been said already , it really does depend on what works for you and your diagnosis. But if you haven't responded to AD's then definitely try AP's, that's my advice. I already said this in another post so I don't want to sound like someone that's preaching this but if you are MDD, or I call it unipolar depression, figure out which symptom is your main depressive symptom, sadness or anhedonia. That's according to this, not me: "At least five symptoms must occur for a DSM diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD), one of which must be sadness or anhedonia." PMC3688280
Just my opinion! But you shouldn't have to even guess which one, I most definitely didn't. If you don't have MDD, then you might need to disregard what I said above as that might need a different approach as far as meds. |
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bpcyclist
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bpcyclist
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Member Since Jun 2019
Location: USA
Posts: 10
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#10
An AP may not be effective as a monotherapy for depression. The usual recommendation is to combine an AP with an SSRI or other antidepressant, and the combo will work much better than the antidepressant or AP alone.
SSRI's are the first-line depression treatment, and sometimes require some trial and error, as different people respond differently to different ones. And it takes some patience because each one requires 3 to 4 weeks before they are completely effective. |
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bpcyclist, SlumberKitty
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bpcyclist, SlumberKitty
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#11
I would avoid AP's if you can. I know when my quetiapine has been reduced, the adjustment phase is a horrendous ordeal. I have said before that I would also avoid AP's for sleep troubles if you can. If that's all you need them for.
But if you do go for a low dose of an AP maybe Aripiprazole as I have a friend who has success on that one. It just didn't work well for me. And if you feel too energised ask for a switch. If you go down this route that is. There are a lot of people who take a low dose of 25mg of quetiapine for sleep, anxiety or depression. Chances are you will put on a little weight with any AP. Doctors will try Risperidone for the least weight gain but it made my mood worse. I have a high tolerance and Risperidone was just euch! I hated it. |
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Member
Member Since Nov 2013
Location: Southbridge, MA
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#12
I take wellbutrin, lexapro, latuda and lamictal and am stable
__________________ "I'm a bagel on a plate full of onion rolls." ~ Barbra Streisand <3 DX: Major Depressive Disorder ADHD Generalized Anxiety Disorder Meds: Ativan 1 MG Viibryd 40 MG Adderall 20 MG |
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