bipolar depression

[myrkkyhammas]

what do i ask my shrink to put me on if i'm depressed? i can't take SSRIs - they make me batshit. i feel like every time i tell my shrink that i'm feeling depressed, he tells me to take more risperdal... which... doesn't help.

are there any antidepressants out there (aside from lamictal) that don't make particularly mania-sensitive people like me go insane? (i know of most of the drugs - i'm just looking for positive experiences if anyone has any to share.)

[null0trooper]

are there any antidepressants out there (aside from lamictal) that don't make particularly mania-sensitive people like me go insane? (i know of most of the drugs - i'm just looking for positive experiences if anyone has any to share.)

MentalHealth.com lists "the depressed phase of manic depressive illness, involutional melancholia and psychotic depression" as indications for desipramine (tricyclic NRI.) I think one of the past members was even on protriptyline (another tricyclic NRI, stronger I think) - but I've run across two references that basically say it's a no-no for mania-sensitive people. They're both usually more for the "just let me roll over and die right here" kind of depression.

Amoxapine is another TCA that sees use in bipolar disorder and just about everything else, although it isn't approved for use in BPD (Drugs.com.) It may be better suited to the "fuck it, shoot me and get it over with " kinds of depression.

MAOIs - usually not a first choice, although they might be an option.

There - that should be enough pot-stirring to open discussion!

[Anelize]

As you can see from my siggy, I've tried a lot of antidepressants. I have a very low mania threshold, and frankly, the only thing that finally kicked my depression in the ass was effexor. It's not a recommended drug, but hey, it works for me. Of course, the caveat is it works with my cocktail--seroquel, lamictal, and the effexor. You might want to consider it if you're at the end of your rope. There--pot stirred, LOL!