Yes, usually antipsychotics are prescribed for agitation. I was taught that Haldol, Zyprexa and Risperdal are technically antipsychotics that have mood stabilizing and anti-anxiety properties. Yes, antidepressants are primarily for depression. Lamictal stabilizes mood, mostly effective for mania or hypomania. Your questions are good. But since they apply just to your own unique person, I think they are probably best answered by your own psychiatrist. Bipolar is hard to treat. Pychotropic medications and their effects on on the brain are complex. PLUS, each individual has a unique response to each medication! There are only general "rules of thumb." What I do when I get confused or want to get more out of my psychiatry visits is to bring in a short list of questions or goals. It sounds like you don't feel your meds are working. Giving your psychiatrist a list of your symptoms, or telling him/her what they are, is a great place to start. Post edited by: sarahtroy, at: 02/25/2011 02:59 PM Post edited by: sarahtroy, at: 02/25/2011 03:01 PM Bipolar II, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Attacks, Agoraphobia & PTSD; Alcoholic in recovery since 3/21/07.
Aplenzin 522mg; Pristiq 200mg; Lamictal 400mg; Geodon 160mg; Ativan 1mg TID; Deplin 15mg; Xanax PRN; Metoprol 100mg.
"Don't give up 5 minutes before the miracle happens."
"My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet." ~Edith Wharton
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." ~Ian MacLaren (Usually mis-attributed to Plato)
"And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." ~Anais Nin
My support and advice is not a replacement for medical diagnosis, treatment, or professional medical advice. |
