What happens if you take bipolar medication without being bipolar?

Taking an antidepressant without a mood stabilizer is likely to trigger a manic episode. Antidepressants can increase mood cycling. Many experts believe that over time, antidepressant use in people with bipolar disorder has a mood destabilizing effect, increasing the frequency of manic and depressive episodes.

What happens if a normal person takes a mood stabilizer?

Some of the most common side effects include: fatigue, muscle aching or weakness, dry mouth, constipation or diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea, skin rash, headache, dizziness, decreased sexual interest, and temporary hair loss. If any of these side effects is severe, the person should consult the physician.

What happens if you take Lamictal and you don’t need it?

It comes with risks if you don’t take it as prescribed. If you stop taking the drug suddenly or don’t take it at all: If you take this drug to treat seizures, stopping the drug suddenly or not taking it at all may cause serious problems. These include an increased risk of seizures.

Can bipolar meds make you worse?

A quarter of patients with bipolar disorder are being prescribed drugs which could make their symptoms worse, a new study has claimed. Research led by Glasgow University has found many bipolar patients are on a combination of medication which is out of line with clinical guidelines.

What happens if you take a mood stabilizer and don’t need one?

While mood stabilizers are not addictive, when you take them (or any drug) over months or years, your body adjusts to the presence of the drug. If you then stop using the drug, especially if you stop suddenly, the absence of the drug may result in withdrawal effects or in return of symptoms.

What is the major effect of antianxiety drugs?

All antianxiety drugs have the potential to produce untoward effects on higher cerebral functions, although the effect seen is also influenced by psychological and social factors. The most common effects is oversedation, which is a particular problem for the very young and the very old.

What does lamotrigine do to the brain?

Lamictal also binds and weakly inhibits several other signaling receptors in the brain, including those to which dopamine and serotonin normally bind. By inhibiting these receptors, signaling in the brain is “tuned down,” or reduced, which can also decrease seizure activity.

Why do bipolar patients refuse Lithium?

In 62\% of episodes, lithium was discontinued due to adverse effects, in 44\% due to psychiatric reasons, and in 12\% due to physical reasons interfering with lithium treatment.

Why do bipolar patients refuse medication?

The single most significant reason why individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder fail to take their medication is because of their lack of awareness of their illness (anosognosia). Other important reasons are concurrent alcohol or drug abuse; costs; and a poor relationship between psychiatrist and patient.