Antidepressants and Bipolar Disorder

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Med-Surg..

I am wondering why Doctors are giving antidepressants for some patients with Bipolar and not others. I thought that antidepressants were not right for those with Bipolar. Hope someone can take the time to educate me. Thanks in advance.

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

There's mixed feeling about the use of antidepressants with patients who have bipolar disorder. For a long time it was believed such patients needed a mood stabilizer for the highs and an antidepressant for the lows. Many prescribers still believe that. Current thought is that bipolar patients benefit more from taking just a mood stabilizer (and maybe an antipsychotic at some time during their treatment--some research shows that Abilify can help prevent relapses). Who is right? Is the old way the correct way? Has the patient done well on the combo of mood stabilizer with antidepressant in the past? Has the prescriber not kept up on new thinking?

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Specializes in Psychiatry (PMHNP), Family (FNP).

Yes agree with Whispera. Also, many clts with Bipolar find the anti-depressant agitating and not helpful. There is growing research verifying this, and I see it in practice a great deal. I like monotherapy, with, for example, Lamictal, which also has anti-depressant properties.

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Specializes in ..

It seems to be varied by the patient and their specific needs. Every patient is different and drugs have different effects on different people.

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