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Depression. Possibility Of Bipolar Disorder. Taking Lexapro. No Relief. Measures To Control Bipolar Symptoms?
I have been on Lexapro 10 mg once daily for 4 years now. I have recently noticed that the medicine has not been helping me at all. I am feeling the need to wean myself off of the medicine. I quit cold turkey three months before Christmas and got back on them a few weeks after Christmas because my depression was getting worse. A couple different doctors are wanting to send me to a psychological doctor to find out if I am bipolar but I have not found a doctor that takes my insurance yet so I do not know for sure yet. I would like to know if it is a good idea to wean myself off of the Lexapro or not and if so then what would the best way of doing so would be? I would also like to know if you can give me any advice about how to get control over the symptoms of bipolar-ism that i seem to have.
Mon, 29 Oct 2012
Hello and welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for your query.
Lexapro is an anti-depressant medication and it is not advisable to stop it without consulting your doctor. (You have mentioned of a worsening of depressive symptoms after stopping it. If your depressive symptoms are not getting controlled, there are further options in the form of other medication and / or talking therapies. As regards to your possible bipolar disorder, you need to consult a psychiatrist for a detailed psychological assessment to ascertain this. If you are found to have a bipolar disorder, then you need to be started on a mood stabilizer medication.
Wish you all the best.
- Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar
Consultant Psychiatrist
Lexapro is an anti-depressant medication and it is not advisable to stop it without consulting your doctor. (You have mentioned of a worsening of depressive symptoms after stopping it. If your depressive symptoms are not getting controlled, there are further options in the form of other medication and / or talking therapies. As regards to your possible bipolar disorder, you need to consult a psychiatrist for a detailed psychological assessment to ascertain this. If you are found to have a bipolar disorder, then you need to be started on a mood stabilizer medication.
Wish you all the best.
- Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar
Consultant Psychiatrist
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