Improved
6112 HealthChanged
3786 LivesSaved
3568 Lives1 lives impacted in the last 24 hrs Learn More
Jaimie Duplass/PhotoSpin
What if exercise caused you headaches, or despite careful eating, you gained 15 pounds in few weeks? What if restless leg syndrome disrupted your sleep every night, or foggy thinking made it difficult to work?
These are some of the possible side effects of psychiatric medications.
No doctor can predict how a specific medication will affect an individual patient, and a medication’s effectiveness and side effects differ from person to person. For a list of medications commonly prescribed for bipolar and their side effects, read here.
In general, the benefits of being restored to mental health outweigh most side effects. But when side effects start to adversely affect your quality of life, it’s time to address your concerns with your provider.
Since you are more likely to take meds that you tolerate well, a good provider will try to find that med that allows you to live a healthy, functional life.
It is crucial to keep the conversation open with your psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner. A slight adjustment of dose up or down might make all the difference in the world.
Or you may find that you can tolerate the cognitive effects of one med much better than the physical effects of another.
A doctor who won’t listen, who thinks you're exaggerating, or who dismisses your concerns needs to become your old doctor.
But don’t adjust or quit your meds without medical supervision. Instead, make an appointment with a new doctor today.
At your first meeting, bring up your concerns about your current medication. Asking the how he or she addresses side effects will provide helpful insight into his or her interest in a patient’s overall wellbeing.
Certain side effects are dangerous and need immediate attention. A rash could be potentially deadly and merits a call to your care practitioner now. Medication-induced tics known as tardive dyskinesia, can become permanent if not addressed.
Rage, thoughts of suicide, or rapid cycling are sometimes induced by the use of SSRI's in patients seeking help for depression who have undiagnosed bipolar disorder. In these cases, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
Truly, one of the most difficult aspects of living with bipolar disorder is the trial and error required to find the right med. It is a physically and mentally taxing process.
In addition to taking your meds as directed, observing a healthy sleep schedule, eating right and exercising regularly will give you the best possible outcome.
Be brave and be well!
Sources:
New Treatment Options For Bipolar Disorder.
Bipolar World. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
http://bipolarworld.net/Medications/Meds%20&%20Weight/from_nami.htm
NINDS Tardive Dyskinesia Information Page/ National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tardive/tardive.htm
Reviewed February 19, 2015
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith
Add a Comment3 Comments
Isabelle
My son suffered from bipolar over the years it became so bad that every morning when i lay my eyes on him tears will roll down my cheek. I tried so many medications to make him okay but all to no avail until a friend gave my Dr Barasa of [email protected] email address and told me he has heard so many things about the wonders of the DR when she visited her husband's people in Africa i hurriedly wrote to Dr Barasa and we spoke he told me that he was going to send me herbs that my son will be okay after using the herbs. so we both agreed though the charges was quiet expensive i didn't really care as i needed the cure for my son so desperately,I then went to western union to transfer the money there the agent warned me not to send money to Nigeria that they were all scammers i laughed uncontrollably cause to me he sounded so foolish and image dainty due to the fact that my friend from whom i got Dr Barasa email address was more than a sister to me so i told him to keep his advice and kindly transfer the money. So after three days of sending the agreed payment to him i received the herbs here in Germany and my son took it as directed by Dr Barasa of [email protected] and he got well.There is no joy bigger than to see your children all healthy i thank Dr Barasa a lot for all that he did for my son and promised to share my testimony with the world now i know that there is power in herbs are you also suffering from bipolar or your ward kindly get in touch with Dr [email protected] through his email or call his mobile +2347060595685 he is indeed a good man and a savior of life
November 10, 2016 - 4:39amThis Comment
Thanks for your feedback, and you are correct the SSRIs can have the damaging effect on patients with all forms of bipolar. I made an edit to reflect that.
Your point that many people who seek treatment for depression actually have bipolar, which their is discovered as a result of an SSRI induced mania, is why I think it is extremely dangerous for general practitioners to prescribe anti-depressants.
It's always safest to see a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner.
Thanks for contributing.
March 3, 2015 - 9:36amThis Comment
A nice attempt at addressing the issue of side effects with Bipolar Disorder.
In not only Bipolar II, but Bipolar I and NOS (Not otherwise specified, for Bipolar that doesn't fit in category I or II) the use of SSRI's are considered extremely risky. SSRI's often catapult someone from depression to mania in a matter of days. Since many people often initially just think they're depressed and seek treatment for depression, their Bipolar is discovered as a result of an SSRI induced mania.
Many advances have been made in psychopharmacology, but it doesn't fix this problem for everyone. Some people's brains just don't end up responding well enough to psych meds, which is called being "treatment resistant", and is a difficult hand to be dealt.
March 3, 2015 - 5:12amThis Comment