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I am 49 years old last year was prescribed Prozac for depression and stress I had a terrible toxic reaction and developed hypo mania and myoclonus that went on for months I now have ongoing mood swings from short spells of hypo mania to spells of depression I haven't Ben fully stable for a year I refused medication due to the side effects please advise I'm getting desperate currently prescribed clonazepam
Optional Information: Person's Gender: Female Person's Age: 49 Already Tried: Ability Prozac Valium
Seeking expert counseling is a sign of strength. A personal relationship with a caring professional is proven clinically effective.Dear friend,What has probably happened was that your depression for which you were originally prescribed Prozac was not really unipolar depression, which often responds to antidepressants,; rather it was bipolar depression which feels like any depression, except that it is part of Bipolar Disorder (formerly called Manic Depression), This is also a mood disorder, but it has two elements, and could appear to be ordinary Major Depression, but there is a manic element.The thing is that a person with Bipolar Disorder is merely given an antidepressant (such as Prozac), it can create rapid mood swings between mania and depression. Your mania was not so bad if it was hypomania, but this would still give you a diagnosis of Bipolar II disorder. However, it may have been full-blown mania with a diagnosis of Bipolar I Disorder with Recent Episode Mixed [between mania and depression].The clonazepam will only ease your anxiety and help you sleep, but the proper medication is some kind of mood stabilizer or "atypical" antipsychotic, or antiseizure medication, and it your depression is serious, then an antidepressant as well.You were given Abilify, which could react strongly with the Prozac. A better drug for you might be Seroquel (quetiapine), also an atypical antipsychotic. As your psychiatrist.I believe that you have Bipolar Disorder and need to be treated for it. It will probably not go away by itself, and will not respond to antidepressants (DANGEROUS !), or fully to psychotherapy, nor to herbal treatments.Get a second opinion from a psychiatrist. If you have bipolar, you can be treated to the point where you lead a normal life.Bipolar disorder can be controlled. During my internship by supervisor, a brilliant young psychiatrist informed me (and his patients) that he was under treatment for bipolar disorder. He did his work effectively and his patients loved him. He had even been the chief resident of a major teaching hospital. He would tell all of his new patients, "Welcome to the club".I told that true story as a means of inspiration. I urge you to get a second opinion and if the doctor agrees, then undergo the proper therapy.I wish you great success.Warm regards,Elliott Sewell, LPCC, NCC, CCMHC
Experience: Licensed, National Certified; college prof;35 yr experience
Thank you for your reply just to add some more information I took the Prozac for 4 weeks and think the hypo mania was caused by serotonin syndrome as my whole body went stiff and I was very confused with hyper reflex for several days but he hypo mania lasted a lot longer. I went high about two weeks ago went to join hare krishnas and kept laughing and talking rubbish for a couple of days calmed down a bit then became really depressed non stop crying and suicidal thoughts for several days am feeling a bit better now not suicidal
Dear friend,The hypomania may be a result of serotonin syndrome as well, but if you have bipolar disorder and just take antidepressants you can get severe manic reactions just like you experienced, including suicidal ideation.I am glad you are feeling somewhat better and not suicidal. Thank you for accepting my answer and giving me positive feedback. I wish you the best, and:Hare Hare,Rama RamaWarm regards,Elliott Sewell, LPCC, NCC, CCMHC