What are the guidelines for choosing a drug for Bipolar Disorder?
For people with Bipolar Disorder who are depressed there are some major problems. Most importantly, with any antidepressant, there is a possibility that the antidepressant treatment will cause manic episodes. The possibility of an antidepressant causing mania is least when the antidepressant is bupropion (Wellbutrin). The possibility of mania is greatly reduced if depressed, bipolar people are on a mood stabilizer such as lithium (or lithium-type drugs), Tegretol or Depakote when they are started on an antidepressant. Often, symptoms cannot be completely alleviated without adding an anti-psychotic drug such as Zyrpraxa as well. Let your psychiatrist begin with low levels of meds. Suggest that s/he add new drugs one at a time to alleviate guess work when symptoms or relief from symptoms begin.
