How do you treat BP II/Cyclothymia AND GAD?

[glitterpants]

I know anti-depressants are the first-line treatment for GAD.

As evidenced by my reactions to Cipralex/Lexapro and Effexor, they make me batshit insane.

I'm on clonazepam while weaning off effexor, both to deal with anxiety and take the edge off the mania....but what are my long-term treatment options for my anxiety? I know I'll end up on a mood stabilizer once I'm off effexor, but those don't treat anxiety, do they?

[gizmo]

Therapy first off. You need to retrain your brain's way of thinking and reacting to the thoughts your brain throws at you. It took me 35 years and 7 therapists to learn this fact.

Also, you didn't say if you had a co-morbid disorder, or only the GAD. If you can't do SSRI's, there are other antidepressants you can try to take, such as wellbutrin. But it may make you wacky too, but you'll know if it is not right for you in less than a week.

Some of the atypical antipsychotics work great on anxiety. I'm brain dead right now, so I can only think of Seroquel and Zyprexa right now, but there are others with anti-anxiety properties.

Don't give up, things will get better.

[AirMarshall]

GAD: Who hasn't got it? Some doctors throw a dx everytime a patient sneezes or apologizes for something. Others deal with the big issues and let the little stuff fall in line.

Cyclothymia and Biopolar II aer excluseisve. Pick on or the other. Both are mood disorders of different levels., and can bothe be treated with moood stabilizeres, AP'sa, AAP's, TCA's, Antiepileptics and AD's. Theere are probably at least 40+ meds that can be helpful.

Yes gettin mood swings under control can make the rest of life a lot easier including whatever additional dx's your doctor graces you with.

It's going to take take time. be patient. Take care of yourself. You didn't get sick over night , you probably wont' get well in a few weeks or mothns, but thigns should improove. no booze, street drugs, get excericse & sunshine, sleep, eat right, get a talk therapist, be honest withw your pdoc and take your meds.

It will get better. a.m.

Sorry this &*^&*^* computer is dying and tyuping behind about 5 characte4rs. ;0

[glitterpants]

Yeah, they're co-morbid. I either have BP II OR cyclothymia, as my doctor confirmed....it's definitely one of the two, but I need further assesment to figure out which one.

From what I've heard, Wellbutrin isn't used for anxiety because it often makes it worse....also, I think any anti-depressant, pretty much, would bring my mania/hypomania out.

[kdbee]

Yeah, they're co-morbid. I either have BP II OR cyclothymia, as my doctor confirmed....it's definitely one of the two, but I need further assesment to figure out which one.

From what I've heard, Wellbutrin isn't used for anxiety because it often makes it worse....also, I think any anti-depressant, pretty much, would bring my mania/hypomania out.

Wellbutrin is a decent anti-depressant if you're Bipolar... Better than the SSRI's. Most with Bipolar can't tolerate SSRI's as it drives them into crazy mania. So, if you need an anti-depressant, it's one worth trying. Works well for me.

[SashaSue]

Mood stablizers don't directly treat anxiety for the most part, aside from the AAP's, but once your overall mood is more stable, you'll likely experience fewer anxiety symptoms, and find those you do have easier to manage.