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Suggest Treatment For Lack Of Motivation Despite Being On Cymbalta And Lamictal

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Posted on Tue, 11 Aug 2015
Question: My daughter has been diagnosed with Bi Polar disorder. the doctor has her on Cymbalta, Lamictal, and Lithium. Serroquel for sleep. alprazalom for anxiety. She feels horrible. she can barely function. she cannot get out of bed. she is not motivated and finds XXXXXXX in nothing. The doctor increased the Cymbalta to 120mg per day on XXXXXXX 30, 2015. she has seen no improvement. this has literally been going on for over a year. I need to know how to help her. she is in bed most days.

Should someone with Bi Polar disorder be on an antidepressant?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
antidepressants can be given in acute bipolar depression.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
I understand your concerns for your daughter.

She is taking multiple drugs like cymbalta, lithium, seroquel, alprazolam amd lamictal.

Antidepressants can be given on bipolar disorder when there is phase of acute depression. Sinc she is being given lithium and seroquel, these drugs will prevent switch to mania.

However, the response to drugs have been poor. I have some suggestions for you:
1. Reduce dose of unnecessary drugs. Seroquel and alprazolam both can cause excessive sleep. I think only one of these drugs should be given depending on sedation.

2. If the response to drugs have been poor, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can be considered. There is no use of increasing the drugs/doses. This will bothering side effects.

3. Her thyroid status and vitamin B12 levels must be evaluated. Alteration in these coukd be a cause of non response to treatment.

Kindly discuss this with your doctor.

Hope this helps.
Feel free to ask further.
Take care.
Thanks.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Shubham Mehta

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 2145 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Lack Of Motivation Despite Being On Cymbalta And Lamictal

Brief Answer: antidepressants can be given in acute bipolar depression. Detailed Answer: Hello Welcome to HCM. I understand your concerns for your daughter. She is taking multiple drugs like cymbalta, lithium, seroquel, alprazolam amd lamictal. Antidepressants can be given on bipolar disorder when there is phase of acute depression. Sinc she is being given lithium and seroquel, these drugs will prevent switch to mania. However, the response to drugs have been poor. I have some suggestions for you: 1. Reduce dose of unnecessary drugs. Seroquel and alprazolam both can cause excessive sleep. I think only one of these drugs should be given depending on sedation. 2. If the response to drugs have been poor, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can be considered. There is no use of increasing the drugs/doses. This will bothering side effects. 3. Her thyroid status and vitamin B12 levels must be evaluated. Alteration in these coukd be a cause of non response to treatment. Kindly discuss this with your doctor. Hope this helps. Feel free to ask further. Take care. Thanks.