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What Causes Depression And Mood Swings When Diagnosed With Bi-polar Disorder?

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Posted on Wed, 30 Sep 2015
Question: Hi, I am diagnosed with bi-polar. Am taking 1350 mg of Lithium. I have been experiencing sadness, no self worth and have been sobbing and feeling crazy all day. Cannot get control of my emotions. I am taking DBT classes for months now. Am very concerned, I am noticing Borderline personality disorder symptoms. Can't stop this crying and emptiness! What should I do?
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Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (48 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
antidepressants needed.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.

I can understand your concerns.

Your are taking Lithium for Bipolar disorder. Now you feel sad, worthless and have crying spells.

With these symptoms, I feel it is more likely to be depressive phase of bipolar disorder.

As you are having these symptoms even on lithium, I think you need to start with an antidepressant drug like sertraline(prescription drug)..
For such acute symptoms of depression, antidepressants are indicated.
Lithium will reduce the chances of manic switch.

Borderline personality disorder has some other distinctive clinical features like attention seeking behavior, unstable relationship, impulsivity, affective instability, anger outbursts.
Do you have these features?

Kindly discuss this with your doctor.

Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Shubham Mehta

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 2145 Questions

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What Causes Depression And Mood Swings When Diagnosed With Bi-polar Disorder?

Brief Answer: antidepressants needed. Detailed Answer: Hello Welcome to HCM. I can understand your concerns. Your are taking Lithium for Bipolar disorder. Now you feel sad, worthless and have crying spells. With these symptoms, I feel it is more likely to be depressive phase of bipolar disorder. As you are having these symptoms even on lithium, I think you need to start with an antidepressant drug like sertraline(prescription drug).. For such acute symptoms of depression, antidepressants are indicated. Lithium will reduce the chances of manic switch. Borderline personality disorder has some other distinctive clinical features like attention seeking behavior, unstable relationship, impulsivity, affective instability, anger outbursts. Do you have these features? Kindly discuss this with your doctor. Hope this helps. Thanks.