Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Depression And Anxiety
Question: Hi, I am currently on medication for depression and have been diagnosed with bi polar affective disorder although I'm not sure whether this is correct. I have overwhelming feelings of anxiety which cause me to question everyone's intention towards me, my thoughts play tricks on me and make illogical links to situations which mean i find it difficult to function and sleep! I'm feel paranoid and restless, when asleep I'm speaking and shouting out things and kicking out with my legs and I can't stop crying! I'm am sweating a lot and it's upsetting for those around me to witness as they feel helpless. I am sertraline 50 mg a day. These attacks are spearadic and occur at random times.
Brief Answer:
need some details.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome here.
I have read your details and understand your concerns.
For a better diagnosis, I would need some more details:
1. Hows your mood and energy levels throughout the day?
2. Do you have racing thoughts and feeling of high all the time?
3. Do you feel people conspiring or planning against you?
4. Do you feel to loose control over your mind? As if someone else controls your mind?
5. Any feeling of sadness or helplessness?
6. Since when you have these symptoms?
I am asking for details as your drug treatment (sertraline) and diagnosis (bipolar disorder) do not match.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Take care.
Thanks.
Dr. Shubham Mehta, MD(Psychiatry).
need some details.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome here.
I have read your details and understand your concerns.
For a better diagnosis, I would need some more details:
1. Hows your mood and energy levels throughout the day?
2. Do you have racing thoughts and feeling of high all the time?
3. Do you feel people conspiring or planning against you?
4. Do you feel to loose control over your mind? As if someone else controls your mind?
5. Any feeling of sadness or helplessness?
6. Since when you have these symptoms?
I am asking for details as your drug treatment (sertraline) and diagnosis (bipolar disorder) do not match.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Take care.
Thanks.
Dr. Shubham Mehta, MD(Psychiatry).
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Yes I do feel people conspiring against me, which causes me to delve into things and read texts and emails to make connections I have already made in my mind and justify how I feel. I feel racing thoughts after certain situations but mainly lack of trust. I feel helpless and out of control and my mind won't switch off, I don't feel as though someone else is in control I just don't have control myself! I do have highs and when this happens I feel like everyone else around is down and I down and are unhappy with me, when really they are just normal! When I'm upset I get angry with myself as the logical side of me knows some of the conclusions I come to are ridiculous but I can't shake the feeling in my stomach it's like a knot and and it cripples me and makes me shake! When I sleep its disturbed, I'm shout and move my arms and legs and it's upsetting for people to watch. I have overwhelming feelings of guilt for the way I feel and the affect it has on others and I try to hide it to protect them but struggle.
Brief Answer:
probable mood disorder; some psychotic symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the details.
With this description, I do not think you suffer from bipolar disorder.
In my opinion, the possibilities are:
1. Mood disorder; most probably depression but not bipolar disorder. The people with bipolar disorder usually do not have insight for their symptoms. But you know that the way you behave disturbs you and other.
2. Prodromal phase of a psychotic disorder; As you feel that people conspire against you. There are things which occur but are un-explainable.
There is also a possibility that two problems can occur as a comorbidity.
Sertraline is a right choice but I think addition of an antipsychotic like olanzapine should be considered.
The problem which you face during sleep would require a beznodiazepine like klonopin (Prescription drug). This is also a part of your mood disorder.
Kindly discuss this your psychiatrist.
Hope this helps.
Feel free to ask further.
Thanks.
Take care.
probable mood disorder; some psychotic symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the details.
With this description, I do not think you suffer from bipolar disorder.
In my opinion, the possibilities are:
1. Mood disorder; most probably depression but not bipolar disorder. The people with bipolar disorder usually do not have insight for their symptoms. But you know that the way you behave disturbs you and other.
2. Prodromal phase of a psychotic disorder; As you feel that people conspire against you. There are things which occur but are un-explainable.
There is also a possibility that two problems can occur as a comorbidity.
Sertraline is a right choice but I think addition of an antipsychotic like olanzapine should be considered.
The problem which you face during sleep would require a beznodiazepine like klonopin (Prescription drug). This is also a part of your mood disorder.
Kindly discuss this your psychiatrist.
Hope this helps.
Feel free to ask further.
Thanks.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I really appreciate your help. Is there any kind of therapy that you think would best suit someone in my position? I have had cbt before which I don't belive helped all that much. I just want to be able to limit the damage these thoughts cause.
Brief Answer:
combination of CBT and Drugs.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
Sorry for the late response.
You have had CBT in past and that did not work for you.
In my opinion, a combination of CBT and drug therapy should be instituted in such case. The combination works well.
Other therapies that can help are relaxation therapies like biofeedback and progressive muscle relaxation therapy. This will help to keep your mind relaxed and can have additive effects on drug.
Hope this helps.
I hope I am able to answer your queries satisfactorily.
Kindly close the discussion if you have no more queries and give your valuable feedback.
Take care.
Thanks.
combination of CBT and Drugs.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
Sorry for the late response.
You have had CBT in past and that did not work for you.
In my opinion, a combination of CBT and drug therapy should be instituted in such case. The combination works well.
Other therapies that can help are relaxation therapies like biofeedback and progressive muscle relaxation therapy. This will help to keep your mind relaxed and can have additive effects on drug.
Hope this helps.
I hope I am able to answer your queries satisfactorily.
Kindly close the discussion if you have no more queries and give your valuable feedback.
Take care.
Thanks.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
