Wellbutrin causing depression?

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Feb 16, 2006

Have been on Wellbutrin SR for 3 weeks. After the first week at 100mg, increased to 200 mg and within a week noticed that I was cycling very rapidly (I'm either cyclothymic of BPII) and started feeling like the depression was worse. I asked my psych about it and he said "it takes weeks for these to work so just stick it out" and wouldn't even acknowledge that the drug might be making me worse. I'd had a bad experience with Prozac about 10 years ago where within a month it had made me suicidal and perhaps even homicidal. Stopped it immediately. Smart doctor.
I went through a similiar experience with my now 17 yo son who is Bipolar. B4 dx they increased his Wellbutrin and he got violent; hypomanic on Zoloft and Paxil.
So I've now fired my psych and will wean myself off Wellbutrin while I search for a new doctor. Was just curious is anyone had heard of it making depression worse. For me it was a completely different type of depression - crying for no reason, where I'm usually just a bit dysthymic with cycles into just below hypomania... have never had a full-blown manic.

I tried Wellbutrin a few years ago after my doctor, whom I was working for, classified me as situationally depressed. (I later realized it was he that was making me depressed when I changed offices and felt better!) I tried it for one day and said, "forget it" My mother and friend who I was spending the day with both noticed my mood change. EVERY thing got on my nerves...I went to the paint store and I remember having to use all my will to stop my self from punching the lady out that was helping us. I knew she was just trying to help me find what I was looking for, and at least I was aware of what I was feeling...but I just wanted to scream! And this was only after one day!....maybe you just need something different!

Were you Dx with a Bi-polar disorder, or GAD? XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Editorial Team / Admin · Feb 16, 2006

please do not seek and/or give medical advice. only personal experience related to if wellbuturin causes depression as asked by the op.

thank you.

leslie :-D · Feb 16, 2006

any antidepressant has the potential to exacerbate any existing depression. it's a paradoxical s.e. that should be monitored closely. the first sign of an unfavorable reaction should immediately be reported to the prescribing physician.......these dysthymic feelings will not go away on their own! so whether it's wellbutrin, prozac or any other, these are very valid risks we take when we opt to use antidepressants. i hope you find something that is right for you; and hoping you find a doctor that will monitor you responsibly.

leslie

CharlieRN · Feb 16, 2006

earle is correct. Also any anti depressent and wellbutrin in particular can exacerbate the mood swings in bipolar. Usually it is the exacerbation of the manic phase that causes difficulty.

elizabells, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2006

Me + Wellbutrin = baaaaaaaaaad.

I got wicked hypomanic. Bordering on actually manic. Shiver. That was no good. I wonder if you wanting to punch the paint lady was actually a hypomanic symptom. My shrink told me about "manic contempt" the other day - where you get frustrated with someone and have more trouble keeping it inside than usual. Just a thought...

lsyorke, RN · Feb 19, 2006

Ssri's and snri's can cause mania/psychosis in those that aren't bipolar also.

steelcityrn, RN · Feb 19, 2006

You probably should not have fired your psychiatrist just because you felt this particular antidepressant was not right for you. You may have needed a adjunct. Your playing a dangerous game taking yourself off medications on your own. These medications can take up to 6 weeks to become theraputic, never heard of a anti depressant working after one pill. Please seek medical attention a.s.a.p.

JustSearching · Feb 19, 2006

You probably should not have fired your psychiatrist just because you felt this particular antidepressant was not right for you. You may have needed a adjunct. Your playing a dangerous game taking yourself off medications on your own. These medications can take up to 6 weeks to become theraputic, never heard of a anti depressant working after one pill. Please seek medical attention a.s.a.p.

I didn't fire him just because of that. He was not listening to me when I'd said I'd had bad reactions in the past and that I was worse ON than OFF the Wellburtin. I wasn't on just one pill, I'd been on for 3 weeks and the depression was not only worse, it was a very different kind of depression. I've been on half dose for a week now and feel much better, so it may not be the med, but the dose. He said if I didn't like his approach that I should just go find another doctor, which I did. Since then, I've asked another psych that I know very well and trust and his opinion of the doctor is the same as mine.

I fired the doctor because he doesn't want to partner with me in my treatment, something that is a requirement. Following without question would have killed me 10 years ago when I reacted badly to Prozac. Being off meds isn't so dangerous for me... I've been off medications since 1997 and only went back on them this winter because it got worse.

And I have sought medical attention - I have a new psycholotherapist and a new psychiatrist. Thank you for your response.