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Can Lithium Help In Treating Anxiety In A Bipolar Disorder Patient?

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Posted on Tue, 2 Aug 2016
Question: my son as been a herion addict for 25 yrs he also suffers from bipolar disorder or hypo mania he got clean a year ago using rehad and mental health clinics has been on different meds for his mental health but can find nothing that really helps his anxiety and racing mind would lithium be his best choice
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (17 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Quetiapine is better choice

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.


Considering history of bipolar disorder i feel seroquel is best option for treatment of his anxiety and racing thoughts. Although SSRI is another option but unfortunately there is risk of switch to mania and I do not think we should take risk of such nature.

Lithium although good to control mood from above but considering history of substance abuse and prominent anxiety features not a drug of choice.

I hope this helps you.
If you have more questions feel free to write back to me.
Thanks and regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (20 minutes later)
he has been on serouquel in the past and did not like it the dosages perscribed are extremely high people walk around like zombies. is quetiapine an opiate or a mood stablizer he does have hep B & C
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (6 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Seroquel = queatiapine is antipsychotic and mood stabilizer

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.

I understand that seroquel caused over sedation for him but for anxiety and racing thoughts we generally need lower dose such as 100-150 mg per day which is quite low in compare to antispychotic dose of 600-800 mg per day. If it was used in higher dosage I think a try can be given at lower dosage. In case they already used lower dosage than I do not think seroquel is option for him.

Having said this I like to clarify that seroquel is basically an antipsychotic medication which has prominent anti anxiety, antidepressant and mood stabilizer properties. It do not have any relationship with opioids.

In regard to your question about his Hep B and C I like to make it clear that it does not affect it adversely but lithium will be definitely better choice as lithium does not affect liver in any way.

Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for my future patients.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (30 minutes later)
thank you for your advise and honest opion I feel like we have good information to move forward.


best regards and have a awesome day

doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (2 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You are always welcome

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I am glad to know that information was useful for you to move forward.

If you do not have any further questions please close the query and rate the answer if possible.

Thanks again.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2000

Answered : 3355 Questions

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Can Lithium Help In Treating Anxiety In A Bipolar Disorder Patient?

Brief Answer: Quetiapine is better choice Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for using Healthcaremagic. Considering history of bipolar disorder i feel seroquel is best option for treatment of his anxiety and racing thoughts. Although SSRI is another option but unfortunately there is risk of switch to mania and I do not think we should take risk of such nature. Lithium although good to control mood from above but considering history of substance abuse and prominent anxiety features not a drug of choice. I hope this helps you. If you have more questions feel free to write back to me. Thanks and regards.