Is Lexapro a successful treatment for either bipolar II or depression?

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Answer

Hi there

Lexapro is a fairly good drug, but like most there is not 100% accuracy. Also, while dealing with bipolar there is usually what they call a "cocktail" meaning trial and error of several medications and perhaps being on more than one medication to balance the brain chemistry.

I suffered from panic attacks, Agoraphobia and then depression during the 70's and my doctor put me on "Amitriptyline" which worked wonders for me. The biggest complaint of SSRI's (for depression) is weight gain, but I managed to control my weight by watching what I ate and exercising as well as drinking 8 -10 glasses of water a day.

If you would like more answers and more research done on this please email me and I would be happy to give you more information.

Marcy

Answer

Hi, Last year I went through a traumatic experience that led to depression. My psychologist diagnosed me as moderately depressed. When I asked my psychologist about an anti-depressant, he said it would help take care of my depression symptoms (apethy, lethargy, hopelessness) so that I could focus on addressing the areas in my life that needed to be healed. I chose lexapro because my doctor explained all of the SSRIs to me and thought 10 mg of lexapro would suit me. She told me however, that trying out any drug is like an experiment. Some people get a good fit on their first drug, some need to try 3 or 4. I started on 5 mg of lexapro and my sister thought I was acting like my old self within a few days. I have been on 10 mg of the drug for 1 year without any problems. Unlike most people, I have lost 15 pounds on this drug. I used to be an emotional eater, and I think this drug helped me eat only when I was hungry. I have been very grateful for how this drug has helped me through depression. However, I see drugs as only part of my depression treatment. I see a psychologist every few weeks just to talk, I have a family and boyfriend who are patient and understanding of my healing process, and my personal relationship with God has been foundational in my progress. I hope this helps.

Answer

SSRIs (such as Lexapro) can induce mania when used alone in a person with bipolar disorder. Normally, a psychiatrist will only prescribe an SSRI along with a mood stabilizer (Lithium, Depakote) for one with bipolar disorder. You can learn more about this at one of many psych health educational sites: NAMI.org, psycheducation.org etc. Google's health directory can give you more sites to consult.

Answer

I've been on Lexapro for depression (not alcohol abuse) fora little over a month. It hasn't seemed to do much so I've had my dosage increased. It still has not seemed to do much.

The way it was explained to me by my Dr. is that Lexapro isn't mood-altering. It simply maintains your seratonin levels so that you don't get rock bottom depressed or stay there.

I'm starting to wonder, however, if this isn't the drug for me or if I'm treatment-resistant.

Answer

I took Lexapro for a couple of years for depression/ Bipolar II which is bipolar without the manic side. So you don't neccessarily need a mood stabilizer. Lexapro at 40mg worked for about a year for me then it stopped working so to me it is not the best maintenance anti-depressant. It did not change my personality but it did help me deal with things a bit easier and I had a hard time being able to cry. Stange, anyways, I am now on Effexor XR 150mg and after about 3 months I felt great. Its been about 5 months or so and I do get some panic/anxiety attacks which a ward off with an occassional Klonopin 0.5mg. My husband says the combination works great for me. Everyone is different, all meds effect everyone differently, so its a trial and error game. It takes patience and the will to not give up too soon on a med before it has a chnce to work fully.

Please don't give up, everything takes time. It's hard to be patient but in the end it will pay off.

Good Luck!!

ANSWER

I took Lexapro and WellbutrinXL for depression for 4 years and began "rapid cycling" into depressive episodes. My psychiatrist added Lamictal, a drug for Bipolar II. I've been amazingly stable for the last 1-1/2 years and so my doctor is letting me slowly stop taking the Lexapro and WellbutrinXL - and yes, I'm having the awful physical withdrawal symptoms, but not the emotional ones. We're going to see if the Lamictal by itself is sufficient. If so, it's worth it all.

First answer by Yinzer. Last edit by Millerdtx. Contributor trust: 1 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 73 [recommend question]