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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Medication For Prolonged Anxiety Attacks While Having Bipolar

I am a 32 yr old bipolar male taking lithium. Ii.ve been experiencing severe anxiety and have been thoroughly checked by my doctor who just perscribed hydroxyzine but I am still anxious and cannot sleep. The only sleep I had was when the ER dr. gave me an injection of amytal last night and I slept fine. Tonight I am experiencing anxiety again and I'm afraid to sleep because I feel as though I am losing my breath. What can I do to sleep. Should I take melatonin?
posted on Thu, 6 Aug 2015
Twitter Wed, 26 Aug 2015 Answered on
Twitter Thu, 27 Aug 2015 Last reviewed on
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries

I can understand your concern. You have Bipolar disorder and are on Lithium Carbonate. Lithium is a mood stabiliser and causes sedation but still you are not getting enough sleep and have severe anxiety. In my opinion for relief of severe anxiety for some time medicines like benzodiazepines can be used. Low dose Clonazepam, Lorazepam etc can help to reduce the anxiety and will surely help in good sleep. Melatonin can help in sleep but the drug is not very useful in insomnia related to anxiety so in my opinion the drug will not help much in your symptoms. Other medicines like low dose antipsychotics as Olanzapine, Quetiapine etc can be used. These medicines act as mood stabilisers in low doses and help in good sleep. You can discuss with your psychiatrist for prescription of these drugs.

Thanks, Hope this helps you. Take care

Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi,
Psychiatrist
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Suggest Medication For Prolonged Anxiety Attacks While Having Bipolar

Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries I can understand your concern. You have Bipolar disorder and are on Lithium Carbonate. Lithium is a mood stabiliser and causes sedation but still you are not getting enough sleep and have severe anxiety. In my opinion for relief of severe anxiety for some time medicines like benzodiazepines can be used. Low dose Clonazepam, Lorazepam etc can help to reduce the anxiety and will surely help in good sleep. Melatonin can help in sleep but the drug is not very useful in insomnia related to anxiety so in my opinion the drug will not help much in your symptoms. Other medicines like low dose antipsychotics as Olanzapine, Quetiapine etc can be used. These medicines act as mood stabilisers in low doses and help in good sleep. You can discuss with your psychiatrist for prescription of these drugs. Thanks, Hope this helps you. Take care Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi, Psychiatrist