I think there‘s a pretty strong likelihood that you might be suffering from some form of bipolar disorder.
Usually the problem with SSRI‘s is that they don‘t work at all, or cause too much emotional blunting in exchange for only a mild reduction in depressive symptoms. Bipolar people, OTOH, often find that their antidepressants are *too* effective, with a relatively minor increase in serotonin levels resulting in major mood shifts, producing anything from hypomania to mixed states of manic energy, dysphoric mood and psychotic paranoia.
So yeah, it goes without saying that it would be best if you stop taking any more 5-HTP, and maybe try to work with a psychiatrist if a mood stabilizer/antipsychotic might work for you.
Hodor, I’m not challenging you but felt the need to reply ... to support OP. I’m not saying I’m correct nor do I have a medical degree....but I have IRL extensive experience and some of your comments are incorrect or wide generalizations. I want to add my experience and thoughts to give OP more than one perspective.
Dear OP, I think you should see a doctor, as soon as possible and a psychiatrist. I agree with Hodor discontinuing the supplement/med you’re taking is prudent. I don’t know how discontinuing safely works (cold turkey, etc.). Tell your psychiatrist you’ve been taken it, along with any other meds, supplements, any drugs/alcohol, etc. They need the full picture.
My unprofessional opinion:
I have bipolar disorder (type 1) .... those are extremely rapid mood shifts you are having for bipolar disorder. It’s very, very rare to have so many shifts that quickly for it to be bipolar disorder. (Good news, I think.)
Rapid-cycling for bipolar disorder is four episodes in a year, if I recall correctly. Lasting several days to several months, even years if not a rapid cycling type.
My psychiatrist says he looks for the horse first, not the zebra. Meaning, not jumping to a severe diagnoses without first ruling out physical causes, then psychiatric conditions of lesser severity compared to jumping to a bipolar diagnosis. Focus is on treating symptoms although an accurate diagnosis is neeed after full evaluation...you need a diagnosis to have the appropriate treatment plan. (This can take years, med cocktails with bipolar disorder for most people, unfortunately.)
Caveat: I do not have Borderline Personality disorder, I’m familiar in a book-sense with BPD.
BPD has the rapid, several times in a day swings in a day, bipolar disorder does not.. LikeI said, I’m not personally experienced with BPD .... other than reading up on psychology out of personal interest. (I’m disabled with a dusty psych degree and law degree due to mental illness, namely, bipolar 1 and anxiety disorders. I am a reader and psychology and psychopathology greatly interest me. Borderline is a personality disorder, not a mood disorder.
I disagree with Hodor that most SSRIs are ineffective and result in blunting. I have experienced that before...both issues, but some SSRI’s are life-savers and sexual side effects can be offset by Wellbutrin (good med for me, personally). They also can help treat anxiety. For example, Zoloft is especially helpful with OCD whereas Lexapro targets Social anxiety disorder. A blanket statement that they are lousy is not helpful....you want to know all the treatment options available.
And, of course, clinical depression. Some SSRI’s DO have undesirable side effects, but not all. Some work for a patient, some do not.
I do agree with Hodor that some people with bipolar disorder are not able to take anti-depressants safely. My boyfriend has bipolar disorder 1 and he can NOT take Anti-depressants. He takes a mood stabilizer called Lamictal that helps control the mood state and particularly the depressive side. His antipsychotic (Abilify) targets controlling mania, mixed episode and psychosis.
OP, your daily mood lability, it can happen with bipolar disorder and isn’t necessarily a fully blown episode. For example, anxiety is a major symptom of bipolar disorder and that throws us for a loop. I also have been diagnosed with several anxiety disorders....I relate to mood swings and episodes as different things. As you can see, I’m no doctor and this is my experience only.
Cyclothymia is a possibility. It’s a less severe form of bipolar disorder 2, essentially. I’m not very familiar with it.
People often are misdiagnosed with clinical depression when they have bipolar disorder. No one goes to the doctor when they feel great (hypomania, for example.). Therefore, bipolar disorder can be hard to diagnose. I was misdiagnosed by my general doctor with MDD (Major Depressive disorder....SSRI’s with no mood stabilizer = disaster....see a psychiatrist!). GPs aren’t qualified to treat major psychiatric or comorbid illnesses, in most cases. Get to a specialist.
OP....please do keep us posted and get checked out. If you do have a mood disorder, a kindling effect is possible where the disease progresses in severity if there is no treatment. Focus on lowering your stress, sleeping (insomnia?), and no substances.
THERAPY: Get a referral from your psychiatrist for a good therapist! Therapy can be very helpful.
MEDS: Mood stabilizers....Lamictal is awesome as long as a rare Stevens-Johnson rash doesn’t appear. Don’t panic. It’s very rare, but serious, your doctor (psychiatrist) can titration you very slowly to a therapeutic dose to decrease risk and advise you. My psychiatrist said if a rash appeared, stop the med, go to GP, ER, or health clinic that same day and then call him. None of that happened.
I highly prefer Lamictal over Lithium. It’s currently considered the gold standard for mood stabilizers (Lamictal/Lamotrogine). It’s the only med I’ve stayed with since my diagnosis several years ago, except for a stint with Lithium and I was taking both for awhile when I was having a psychotic mixed episode lasting 8 months.
Anti-psychotics: They are heavy duty meds. Extremely. If you don’t have fully blown mania or psychosis....which is bipolar 1 only, it’s very atypical to take an antipsychotic if you have bipolar 2, as there are no psychotic features nor mania, only hypomania. The side effects are extensive. And they aren’t sleep meds. My psychiatrist thinks doling out low doses of Seroquel for sleep is insanity. I agree. I have tried a few different atypical antipsychotics and I take Geodon.
I tried tons of different meds, as I’m treatment-resistant. It means I’m treatment-compliant, but I’m hard to treat. I’ve never experienced true remission yet. My psychiatrist and therapist are excellent and I will go inpatient if needed. I don’t like it, but sometimes it is needed.
(For anyone reading this, please do not question my prescription of an SSRI or Wellbutrin. Or benzos taken long-term. Sorry if that’s snarky, I have an excellent treatment team. YMMV.)
i need to close. My dad died last month and I’m having a mixed episode. The above is written with sincerity but clearly verbose. I’m depressed and manic at the same time.
OP, I hope you feel better soon. If bipolar disorder, psychosis during manic or mixed episodes, PTSD, OCD, GAD, Panic disorder, Social Anxiety disorder and/or eating disorders (anorexia) come up for you, I’m here if you need a confidential listening ear. I’m a recovered alcoholic, too. Stabilizing isn’t possible with self-medicating. I learned the long way.
My intention wasn’t to slam you with “info,” but I hope this helps. I won’t give advice again, but I’m a supportive listening ear if you ever want to PM me. Hopefully you’ll feel better soon and all I typed above is inapplicable!
