• The Dark Side 💕 Welcome Guest 💕
    Posting Rules Bluelight Rules
    Notable Threads Urgent Hotlines
    Bereavement Mindfulness
    Suicide Support Anger Management
  • TDS Moderators: AlphaMethylPhenyl | paranoid android

Mental Health SSRI-induced mania?

Pagey

Pagey

Bluelight Crew
Joined
Apr 11, 2012
Messages
9,428
Location
The Valley of Ashes
Sorry, I made another thread about SSRIs in here very recently but this is a more specific question so figured it'd be best to make another one...
I've been on escitalopram for a bit over 10 days - 5mg a day for the first 8 and 10mg a day since then. Since I've upped the dose to 10mg I've been feeling amazing - euphoric, energetic, etc. However, I was speaking to a friend from here today who's got experience with these things and says it sounds like I'm getting some form of mania. Since I've upped the dose, I've been getting euphoria, massive restlessness/agitation, impaired concentration, increased energy, increased sociability, an ego boost, I haven't been able to sleep and I've also been making some relatively reckless decisions.
I kinda figured most of these were a normal effect of SSRIs but now it's been suggested they're not I'm a little worried and would be grateful to hear some other opinions/if anyone's had any experience with this...I'm not bipolar and have never had a manic episode so I've got no idea what to look for.

Thanks.
 
This isn't typical of SSRI's. What was the medication exactly?

The effects you're describing are nearly identical to stimulants (Methylphenidate, Dextroamphetamine). Those are well known for producing mania and psychotic symptoms. Also, Effexor (Venlaxafine) has been known to produce mania and psychosis as well. Although, it's uncommon in people who aren't already diagnosed with a mood disorder. Otherwise, did you combine any other drug with the SSRI?

I remember reading a study a while back that showed when Prozac (Fluoxetine) was combined with an irreversible inhibitor of Monoamine Oxidase (MAOI) it produced typical, amphetamine-like effects. I doubt you combined these since MAOI's are quite uncommon now-a-days, however, just thought I'd through it out there.
 
Escitalopram. Definitely feels a bit similar to stimulants but I haven't been taking any other drugs at all, aside from being on a Xanax taper which wouldn't really be an issue here...so no, this can't be due to any kind of drug interaction :\
In terms of mood disorders, I've been diagnosed with depression but have definitely never had manic symptoms before.

Thanks for the answer.
 
This is a common atypical reaction, most often experienced by people with bipolar disorder. I would consult with your psychiatrist about adjusting your medication regimen.

I remember reading a study a while back that showed when Prozac (Fluoxetine) was combined with an irreversible inhibitor of Monoamine Oxidase (MAOI) it produced typical, amphetamine-like effects.
Click to expand...

This doesn't sound likely. Do you remember the hypothesized mechanisms responsible for such?

ebola
 
I don't want to hijack this thread, but I think it's easier than creating a whole new thread, so here's my question.

I'm taking abilify and depakote for bipolar disorder. For sleep, I normally rely on ativan or ambien cr.

However, when I've run a few days short - like now - I have trazodone available. It's always been a pretty crappy sleepy aid for me (in comparison to ambien), but I figure it's better to have something to help me sleep than go the entire night with no rest. I've read that trazodone, while working on serotonin, isn't a true SSRI. My main concern is that by taking a dose that's necessary for me to sleep (200mg), I'll somehow induce a manic episode. Even if that were to happen though, the depakote and abilify would already be on board to help neutralize this, correct?

I'm probably over thinking this, but am very new to the bipolar diagnosis and want to do as much as I can to avoid triggering any episodes.

Thanks :)
 
As ebola? stated, mania resulting from SSRI's (In this case, Lexapro) is an atypical reaction - likely classified as a "rare side effect" by the FDA, I would imagine...). The main thing to understand is that it ought to be viewed as an issue of concern. You may not have a diagnosis of bipolar, formally - however, your reaction to Lexapro is suggestive of the fact that your biochemistry may share some attributes similar to those of a bipolar patient.

We all certainly love to feel euphoria, there's no debate about that. It will come with a price, though - and appears already to have done so with respect to making "reckless decisions." I've been there, and those decisions can be very destructive in the long-run.

My non-clinical advice to you is to inform your doctor IMMEDIATELY that, upon increasing your dose, you are experiencing these side effects. He/she may want to attempt to work with you using a different medication, and one that is less likely to trigger the symptomatology of a manic state.

The biggest problem with mania, per my experience, is that the individual perceives the state of being as "fun." Until they crash, and have to deal with the decisions that were made during the episode. Please be advised that it ought to be seen as an issue worth resolving.

All the best to you!
 
If you are receiving this reaction it is likely that you are bipolar two and I would be really careful as it seems like you are in hypomania and not mania.. mania the next step I no fuking fun at all so please be careful pagey. If you are in hypomania look out for hyper sexuality, risky behaviors, crazy money spending, insanely good productivity.. we who are bipolar know that its the most amazing place on earth were life really is your bitch and everything is not only possible its almost assured.. but you have to learn how to walk the tightrope so you dont end going down in flames and hit bottom in a low.;)
 
I always get some short term mania when I start an SSRI. It levels out. It's nice though, so enjoy it.
I always get some of the mania when I taper, too.
 
Pagey, I experience a similar effect on the medication. I had to reduce my dose. I also use 75 mg of bupropion IR once or twice a day. It boosts epinephrine and dopamine. The combo should help with depressive disorder and provide a boost,as well. I do not usually display mania symptoms unless I use a strong pharmaceutical stimulant like Ritalin. However, this SSRI apparently causes the serotonin to really flow with my particular brain chemistry. It appears this anti-depressant is stimulating for those with dopamine deficient brain chemistry (highly spiritual people). I suggest you experiment by cutting back the dose. Might ask your doc about the bupropion. It is one of the few combos that works for me. Best wishes!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top