Anti-psychotics?

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-15-2006
Anti-psychotics?
5
Tue, 06-12-2007 - 1:05pm
I am already taking Lamictal for BP2, but my Dr. has added Abilify to "even things out". This may be kind of a stupid question, but if i am not exhibiting psychotic behaviors (I am mainly just depressive right now), then why do I need an "anti-psychotic" med.?
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 06-12-2007 - 8:09pm
Many anti-psychotics act as a mood stabilizer, too. This is one of them. Seroquel is another. :)

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
Wed, 06-13-2007 - 12:35pm

Steph explained it wonderfully--just wish the docs would do as good a job, I don't know how many times people here have freaked and thought they were really going down the tubes because they were rx'd an "anti-psychotic"!


Hugs,




iVillage Member
Registered: 05-02-2006
Wed, 06-13-2007 - 10:48pm

I wish I could add more than what's already been said, but as Marci said Stephanie summed it up beautifully. The abilify is working as a mood stabilizer. It is there to ensure the anti-depressant doesn't send you too far in the opposite direction and throw you into a manic state. Hang in there and try not to stress over this. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask them. We'll do our best to answer them. And post as often as you need/want to. We're always here for you.


Hugs,
Traci

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-12-2007
Thu, 06-14-2007 - 12:03am

Antipsychotics also work well within a broad spectrum of mental health disorders, specifically bipolar as well. Abilify has been shown to decrease symptoms of mania, but also I know that antipsychotics work within the brain to decrease symptoms of tension. There are many unanswered questions to how these medications actually work in the brain, so often doctors may prescribe something on an educated hunch to work with symptoms. There isn't any real prescribed treatment to any specific mental health disorder, rather, I've seen many docs aim for treating symptoms with certain medicines they feel might be effective. Abilify is a good choice simply because it has shown to have positive effects with bipolar disorder, while it also has the benefit of avoiding the weight gain that occurs with many of the other antipsychotics. It is not as sedating as Seroquel, which is also a good med to use with bipolar, specifically for treating anxiety or sleep difficulties. Abilify should be taken in the AM, because instead of being sedating, it is more of an energizer. Maybe your pdoc thought it would help ease some tension that has been created by the depression, while it may also help your brain chemicals reorganize to give you more energy. Sometimes it takes trying a med to see if it actually helps. Many people will have different experiences with medications. It's good to learn about other's experiences, but also keep a perspective that what works for one may not work for another, and what doesn't work for one may actually work well for someone else.

I am on Lamictal for bipolar II, and it's helped, but I think I should take Seroquel to help ease my tension and help with the anxiety I have. I've tried it before and it seems to really help. My son takes Abilify only for bipolar II, and it works well to help his angry outbursts and mania. His symptoms of depression have been absent while on the med as well.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-23-2004
Wed, 06-20-2007 - 10:51am

I just wanted to chime in quickly regarding Abilify. I am also on it even though I wasn't "psychotic" although I was a bit paranoid. It was the finishing touch on my medication cocktail. I'm pretty stable now.

Morgaine