mood stabalizers

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-29-2003
mood stabalizers
24
Sat, 01-07-2006 - 2:32pm

Happy New Year everyone! Hope you are all doing well. I tried to post a while ago, but I think I was having trouble with the new set up.

I was wondering if anyone takes mood stabalizers? I went to a new therapist last week, and he is switching me from Lexapro to Zoloft. He said he might want to also try a small mood stabalizer! After doing research, I learned that they are mostly for bipolar disorder. I have serious GAD, but I know I am not bipolar. Does anyone know if these are used for treatment of anxiety?

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Love, Jolie

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-16-2005
In reply to: jlvst
Sat, 01-07-2006 - 4:25pm

Jolie, I think you and I are questioning the same type of medication. I've been dx with PTSD and SAD yet my pdoc keep me on my lexapro but wants to add a medication used mainly for bipolar/schizophrenia. Mine is posted under Med ? (I believe)

Keitha

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
In reply to: jlvst
Sat, 01-07-2006 - 4:32pm
 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 05-29-2003
In reply to: jlvst
Sat, 01-07-2006 - 5:43pm

Thank you. I am not familiar with the initials. What is ptsd and sad? Sorry.

I read the posts, and they gave me some good insight. My doctor did not mention any name of the "mood stabilizer." I assume we are talking about the same thing. Thanks again, I really appreciate it.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-17-2001
In reply to: jlvst
Sat, 01-07-2006 - 6:29pm

Hi Jolie,


Good to see you, its been a while.


Funny you should mention this... I went to see my pdoc and he had talked about seroquel or BuSpar for me, ( I believe they are

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-16-2005
In reply to: jlvst
Sat, 01-07-2006 - 6:45pm
Jolie, PTSD stands for post tramatic stress disorder and SAD stands for seasonal affective disorder. The ptsd gives me anxiety and panic where the sad leaves me with depression. Luckily it's only in the winter time i suffer from the seasonal disorder. I'm not sure what the mood meds are but the med my pdoc wants to put me on is used for BP and i like you know that's not what i suffer so i'm unsure of this combination also.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-18-2003
In reply to: jlvst
Sat, 01-07-2006 - 10:29pm

Hi Jolie, nice to *see* you again :)

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: jlvst
Sun, 01-08-2006 - 1:58am

Hi Jolie,

I know I'm late in the discussion here but here are my thoughts. My dx is bipolar however I did start as severe GAD. As Judy (Eikooc) reminded me today, many dx do overlap one another as do meds from one dx to the other. Sometimes when you are on the severe end of things it helps to move the meds up to the next step. Also, something else I've been trying to keep in check is to not label yourself. My last therapist told me not to see the label but to recognize what the meds do for your emotional stability, How they improve the quality of your life. I know that is easier said than done because I struggle with it everyday but it is true. Try not to focus on the bipolar aspect of the meds but what they can do to lessen your anxiety. Don't be afraid of the term "mood stabilizer", It's scarier than it sounds.

Many Hugs
Danielle

Hugs & Positive Thoughts Always,

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-29-2003
In reply to: jlvst
Sun, 01-08-2006 - 9:32am
Thank you for the great advice. JD
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-29-2003
In reply to: jlvst
Sun, 01-08-2006 - 9:34am

Nice to hear from you too!

The doctor didn't prescribe anything yet. He just said maybe he would add a "mild" mood stabalizer with the Zoloft. I am really nervous about it.

Thanks - Jolie

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-29-2003
In reply to: jlvst
Sun, 01-08-2006 - 2:02pm
Thanks. It's really hard to be so unsure. Isn't it?

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