Question about mental health and medications I'm on?
926550
i dont know about the combo you're on now, but i do know that wellbutrin is the worst medication to take for bipolar. it makes it worse.
755037
I understand how you feel and I think it's great that you're open to medication management and psychotherapy to improve your mental health.  However, in the beginnning with all medication management plans, it's imperative that you get the right combinations of meds, dosage and be monitored regularly in the begining.\n\nTreating depression is much more complex then treating an infection, like a cold or flu.  You're going to need to be an active participant in giving the Dr. information on your moods, thoughts, side effects and overall state of well being. \n\nThe mood disorder that your diagnosed with, will ultimately determine the type of medication your prescribed.  Each medication comes with a theraputic schedule for dosage and some require close supervision, as improper dosage changes can have detremental results with nasty side effects.\n\nThe point is, in the beginning, you'll have to be held on a short leash and be monitored until your Dr. figures out how you will react to certain meds/dosages and ultimately what blend will provide the best results.  Once you are at a theraputic dose where your brain has soaked in enough of the drug and you experience positive results, you'll only have to see your psychiatrist for maintenance purposes, for as little as once a month.\n\nI understand the money issue, I've been through it myself.  However, if you were diagnosed with cancer and you had to choose a more expensive and effective treatment vs. no treatment, what would you do?  It doesn't matter how, but you would certainly find a way to pay for it.  Mental health is equally important to your psychical health and you should prioritize it as if you would a terminal illness.\n\nGranted, I've spent tons of cash on therapy and it stressed me out plenty.  Right now, I've come from what I felt was a bottomless hole of depression, to the point where I look forward to every day!  I would have spent triple the amount I payed if I had to.  You really can't put a price on your health.\n\nI hope this helps and good luck in getting better!
743092
call your doctor. The side effect of some anti-depression medications is anxiety. If you're on one, and your doc to change it
321026
I am mentally ill. I can say it. I have had to endure 30 brain surgeries and I suffer, believe me- I SUFFER- some lingering side effects of it. The surgery was for a birth deffect that wasn't detected til I was 19. \n I now suffer from severe bio-polar disorder and, without my meds, I can have mild schitzophrenic tendencies .  Ok, cool. As Long as I knowwww what is wrong with me and how to treat it, I'm ok. I can handle it. \n\n   This person in your house, that might or might not have mental problems, may not even realize they have a problem. I know it took 3 years for us to decide/realize what was wrong with me.  Ever hear of an intervention. or are you the only one who feels this person has a problem? \n    No , you don't have the right to tell someone to 'get off the drugs' when they aren't on any and you KNOW that for a fact. ( Maybe tell them to start taking the RIGHT ones..it took me 8 years to get to the right 'cocktail' of meds I am on now so that I don't talk to the trees and don't cry when they don't answer me. LOL its not thaaat bad,  just kidding  a little But it does take time and cooperation on EVERYONE's part. ) Go to the person , offer what you've observed and offer to HELP said person get the help that they NEED, or to at least see someone and determine if they need anything. It sounds simple, but it isn't. I know. I had to hospitalize my husband twice in the first year we were married before we got him properly diagnosed/medicated for bipoler problems. It stinks and its hard, but up front is the only way to go. Just don't let that person doubt your love and  support for them. \nBy the way... you don't wanna know what all I am on!!
897462
Heather, I'm sorry you're not feeling well and I'll try to give you the best advice I can, based on what you've told me.\n\nFirst, you should expect that every psychotropic medication you read about will come with side effects.  Most if not all side effects usually occur within the first two weeks and are completely manageable.  There are cases where some people will experience more severe side effects than most, but these cases are extremely rare and unlikely to happen.\n\nIt's natural to feel this way towards any type of psychotropic med, as this is unknown territory for most people and people naturally fear what they don't know.  You're Dr will be well aware of the proper titration for the medication and bring you on so you don't experience harsh side effects.\n\nFrom what you described, you discussed having mood swings.  My question from there would be, have you had a diagnosis for a certain type of mood disorder?  If the answer is yes, then Amitriptyline is going to make you worse.  \n\nAmatriptyline is part of the Tricyclic Antidepressants group and used to treat extremely low levels of depression.  For patients that have mood disorders, this is one of the worst medications you can take and will further exacerbate mania and cycling.\n\nZoloft (sertraline) is part of the SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) group of antidepressants.  Again, this is a class of medication that doesn't work for those with mood disorders and will actually make your depression worse.  Zoloft happens to be the worst for mood disorders of the SSRI meds.\n\nI have no idea what you've been diagnosed for, but from what you're discussing, you are experiencing some sort of mood disorder, such as bipolar, cylcothymia or BPD, etc.  If I'm correct, it's possible that you've been misdiagnosed, where it's common for most mood disorders to be misdiagnosed as some sort of depression disorder.  If that is the case, you're either not giving your Dr all the details of how you're feeling or he/she is not experienced in treating mood disorders and you'll have to find someone else.\n\nI hope that this helps and that you get better soon.
610933
Not all meds are chemically or physically addicting. Theres a stigma on mental health everybody thinks for some reason it can be fixed by god.. sooo don't worry about it.. if you are doing better that's all that matters. It's very likely someday you will no longer need medication.
102726
If it is serious, you should try to seek help from a psychiatrist and he can diagnose you and put you on the right kind of medication. Pray about it as well. God bless you!
875152
Is it possible that you are bi-polar?\n\nI was on and off antidepressants many time over the years.  They never really seemed to work for me, though eventually my depressions lifted.  \n\nDuring my most recent (and most severe) depression, after two years of trying various antidepressants I went into a phase where my mind started working faster and faster.  I eventually realized what was going on and told my doctor that I suspected That I might be manic-depressive and that we were treating the wrong illness.
613621
Somebody, somewhere has a problem with any medication.  Please, please, please be patient, talk to your psychiatrist, let them know exactly what you are feeling and what the effects are so they can adjust.  Not all meds are for all people.  You are talking about some good psychiatric medications.  So many of these take a while to get into our systems and balance the sleepiness may be temporary until your body gets its balance right.  The doctor can adjust dosage for you.  I would love for you to feel good and not be sleepy on them but again talk with your doctor letting them know exactly what you are feeling.  I personally do not use these meds but those patients that I have experience with using them have the same result until the meds are in the system and balanced.  TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR AND LET HIM/HER KNOW YOUR EXPERIENCE.  You will not get the correct advice here unless it is what I have just said.  TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR, call his/her office for an appointment even if you already have one, try to get one sooner.  Under no circumstances should you stop taking these medications, keep taking them in the dosage the doctor prescribed until he/she changes the dosage.
856023
whoa!!\nare you okay?\nbut yes I believe I will be on prozac soon,\nwhat should I expect?
308620
That's WAY too many meds at the same time.  You should only be on one or two and lithium isn't for either disorder.  It's for bipolar disorder.  I think it's time to stop seing all three doctors and get another opinion at least until you have a diagnosis that matches one.
71967
1st find a psychologist you like seek non medical support. That medication should come second and the psychologist should refer you to a DR and work with that DR to be sure you are treated correctly. Don't allow side effects of medication to cause you other problems.
386184
I'm not a mental health provider but I've had bipolar disordar for 15 years. There's help out there. Medicines, therapist. Get to a phone book, now! Look up mental health providers and call!  I hope you get a chance to re-read this answer, I've been thinking about you all night. Last week I felt "weird" and ended up talking to a caseworker at my insurance company for thirty minutes until my husband could get home from work. He stayed home for a week to keep me out of the psychiatric ward.  Sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures. e-mail me at mybilbrey@yahoo.com if you need to.  I've been on Social Security for 15 years because I get confused and can't work.  I understand! CJB
1138886
It looks as though you have gotten a lot of good answers already.  I just wanted to tell you that I am in the medical profession and I can tell you for a fact that anything you tell your doctor is confidential.  However, if the psychiatrist, doctor, psychologist, etc. feels that you pose a risk to yourself or to someone else, they will report you.  \n\nWhat happens is that you'll be placed on what they call a 51/50 hold, where you will be admitted to a psychiatric facility and then interviewed and assessed by an appropriate staff memeber (doctor, psychiatrist, etc).  If they agree with your doctor's assessment, then you will be held for a few days until you have been placed on medication and stabilized on those meds.  \n\nI know this sounds scary, but this is actually a good thing, because it gives you a safe place to stay where you'll get the help you need, and you will most likely be placed back on antidepressants.  \n\nI'm not sure why your doctor took you off Prozac, but doctors and psychiatrists are the only people who can put you on medications, so a counselor will not place you back on any antidepressant. \n\nOne other thing to note is that if you are having suicidal thoughts, but aren't actively planning to commit suicide, then your doctor may not place you on a 51/50.  It all depends on the doctor's assessment.  I would advise you to be as truthful as possible with your doctor, because that is the only way he or she can help you.  \n\nI wish you the best of luck.
330006
It's actually none of their business what you're taking.  Antidepressants don't show up on drug screens because they're not looking for them.  I've never had a problem with it.  And it's illegal for them to ask about it.  Just don't mention it and it won't be an issue.  And it's discrimination agains those with mental health disorders to not hire you just because you're taking antidepressants.\nGood luck on your interview!\n-Duo
16210
As a student nurse, I've just gone thru my psych clinicals, so I feel confident enought to offer this advice:  There are many new antidepressant meds available today. If it was your regular doctor who prescibed your current meds, then I suggest seeing a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist will be completely up to date on all the meds out there, and will have vastly more experience with your specific issues.  I truely believe that 99% of mental illness is biochemical in nature and can be managed by pharmacology.  \n   As for your sleep problems, remember, depression is the cause of irregular sleep patterns and not vice versa.  Ambien and Lunesta are great drugs for most people, but just not you.  People with depression often experience anxiety as well, so perhaps another drug like Xanex will work better at night.  Also you could just try 50mg of diphenhydromine hydrochloride, which is the generic name for Benadryl. That should get you to sleep fast. But be aware that it will dry out your nasel passages and if you take more that 50 mg., it could make you agitated.  My mom did that (she thinks that if 1 pill works good, than 3 or 4 pills will work better). \nGood Luck
529907
this sounds like another name for schizophrenia-mental health comes out with more and more disorders eveyday.Hey,sorry I don't have it but why don't you talk to your counselor about it?