Sometimes I Feel Like I Have Manic Depression When I Take My Meds.

[Tei-Saji]

I'm on Sertraline, Clonozepam, and Saphris. It's usually like an hour before I have to take my Clonozepam, that I get really depressed. I usually just lay in bed until the memories stop coming. Then, like an hour after taking it, it feels like I can do anything. My doctor told me that Clonozepam can be an addictive substance. Do you think this is what she meant? Like my manic episodes are sort of like me getting "high," and my depressive episodes are me "withdrawing."

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Eh, no, that is not my take on things. Clonazepam is a sedative, so when you take it you would most likely be calm, and the withdrawals would bring on a more anxious state. (Of course, some people react differently!)

There is a possibility that your antidepressant is pushing you into hypomania. If your depression isn't due to a chemical imbalance (ie lack of serotonin), then an antidepressant will just push your normal serotonin levels higher, resulting in a euphoric state of sorts. This is what happened to me. Remember, the "depression is due to a chemical imbalance" idea is just a hypothesis and doesn't hold true for everyone who deals with depression.

 

[darrenS]

I cannot take benzos or anti depressants , i find with clonipin etc that im good for a short period and then it tends to remove my defenses and i become erratic, with anti depressants i tend to sink into either suicidial ideation or i feel disconnected from everything and just get worse.

 

[Fadeaway]

@darrenS I am very similar. SSRI's cause me to have serotonin syndrome. It is frighting. Benzos actually give me anxiety because they make me feel like I have less control over myself and I fear having lowered inhibitions, which could put me in danger.

I have been told that I have situational depression and not a chemical imbalance. My take on it, is that if you have a legitimate reason to be depressed it probably isn't a chemical imbalance.

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

Clonozepam

How often are you taking this?

 

[anthony]

Like my manic episodes are sort of like me getting "high," and my depressive episodes are me "withdrawing."

Maybe... but like above, it depends on how the medications are working for your specifically. Most medications have side effects, and you have to read them and see which ones apply to you.

One medication can make a majority more depressed, work for a minority, yet give a handful a high from taking them.

You tell us... take a look at the prescribing documents for each one, then state what side effects you are enduring from each. That will help you understand which is doing what for your specifically.

 

[Tei-Saji]

How often are you taking this?

Three times a day.

@anthony

Most of the meds I take warn against dizziness, which is the case with my Sertraline. It also tells me to call a doctor if I experience any mood changes: sadness, depression, or fear. I experience the latter two of these daily (depression and fear). Should I alert my psychiatrist?

 

[anthony]

I would discuss with them, yes. Depression with medications that are treating PTSD... well... uncool. Fear is from anxiety, however; once again, medication treating PTSD shouldn't enhance fear created by PTSD, thus you need to look at these with your doctor.

 

[shimmerz]

My doctor told me that Clonozepam can be an addictive substance.

Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine. For more info on what your doctor was speaking about look at this link. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzodiazepine_withdrawal_syndrome. I have been on it for years but haven't had problems with withdrawals. Others have a horrible time with it.