What are the most effective type of: benzo, antipsychotic, mood stabilizer?

Listen my friend, you are never alone. You are feeling despair because you are not well, and it's great that you see that you need therapy and drugs. It would be even scarier if you thought that you needed none of these things.
I can relate to how you are feeling about your partner. I often feel the same way myself about my hubby, although he's very good to me. But he doesn't understand much about this illness, and like many of my friends, can't relate to it. How can you though, when you don't know what it feels like, and it's not a physical thing which you can see? So don't be too hard on your partner. He's sticking with you, even though there are probably times when your condition is hard on him too.

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Don't self medicate yourself - it'll just make your condition deteriorate, and you'll be in an even worse place than you are now. Seek out advice from a psychiatrist, as none of us here can determine what are the best meds for you. It depends on a number of things - whether you are depressive, mixed, or manic. The drugs which do it for me are xanax which I periodically take for anxiety, depakote as a mood stabilizer, and abilify as an anti-psychotic. That doesn't mean that it's the right mix or the best drug for YOU... just that as a bipolar I person with mixed features, it works wonders for me. There are so many drugs on the market, and I'm not going to tell you that abilify is the best anti-psychotic there is, bearing in mind that the price of it if you don't have insurance is outrageous. Lithium is really cheap, and it's the oldest and longest-tested that there is. Good luck Rfbayon, don't panic as you have made a decision to get this under control, and that in itself is positive and excellent news!

Firstly welcome to the site,you have come to the right place,you are definitely not alone as slattery stated! So many of us feel like you do-alone and abnormal in how we are feeling,Also the same as feeling our partners/hubbys/wifes/family/friends dont get us or understand how we feel or why we feel like we do!! I know, I for one dont know why i feel like i do half the time,i have anxiety/panic disorder,ocd and depression and more than half the time i do not know why i am sad or feel so empty,my partner has'nt a clue when it comes to me having my episodes of sadness or loneliness but as slattery said,how can he? He's not a deep thinker like i am or he doesn't worry to the extent of making himself sick,he is easy going and takes things in his stride,where as me,i'm the complete opposite,slightest thing gets to me and i worry about everything and everyone!!

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But i would suggest that you my friend get yourself a good psychiatrist,who can asses you properly and put you on the right meds and find a good therapist! This road is not easy and what suits one may not suit another in regards to medication,but there is something out there for all of us and a good therapist is vital when it comes to dealing with your emotions and how you are feeling!! I wish you the very best of luck with this,keep posting,we do care and are here to help in anyway we can!! Take care and remember you're not alone!!

Hello Rfbayon - You are absolutely right, you cannot live your life untreated, as Bipolar I. I know because I am also Bipolar I, and there are significant differences between the diagnosis of I, II, and Cyclothymia (least "significant" mood cycling). I have felt that deep despair, and its crippling. Since you know you're Bipolar I, you must have had a decent Psychiatrist somewhere along the way! I suggest you find a fantastic Psychiatrist to link up with because they will be your "best friend" for life. I have been with mine for 12+ years, sometimes seeing him more often than at other times, but have fallen into twice monthly recently due to stress. I say this because its important to feel respected on our journey, and because my Dr. knows me so well, it feels great when he straightens out my perspective with great respect.

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He really knows me because I've been completely candid! I recommend being very pro-active about this disorder. Our quality of life, I believe, depends on it. If you take your condition and life seriously & not be defensive about it, I think you'll see a change in your partner, as well. I believe you're right about the SSRI's. For us, these can throw us into mania. For 2 years, I tried many anti-depressants before we realized they were dangerous for me, as with most Bipolar I's I've worked with. I began with Lithium after a major manic break from Effexor, and ended up on Seroquel and Trileptal, with an occasional Valium, if needed. Many of us with mood & anxiety disorders can have addictive personalities or have self-medicated to feel "normal". I'm also in recovery for many years from addiction, and am very active in 12 step programs. Its important for me to have a regular sleep & exercise schedule, as well. There are many medications, and each person's brain chemistry is different. That's why the Psychiatrist is essential, because its a MEDICAL condition, and not just mental. It has to do with the brain chemistry, electrical charges, etc. This is where the stigma lies and it gets me a bit "nuts" because people don't understand, at all. My brother, very educated, thought it could be handled with vitamin supplements, and continued to put me down for taking "pills"! (Actually, a supplement of many Amino Acids has been helpful, in conjunction with meds.) Once I found out my diagnosis, among other conditions (ADHD, thyroid, bp, etc), I looked for groups and continued individual therapy. There are many groups available, either online or, preferably, in person. I found one on Bipolar & Depression, where we meet weekly to discuss our progress, coping mechanisms, etc. It helped me to bring each & all of my family members once (or more) to a session with my therapist to explain the exact nature of my condition with Dr's support, so I felt they truly understood the gravity of the diagnosis. I have to understand that many will never get it, but I can't let that stop my life. Good luck, and I truly hope you will "attack" this from the perspective of fighting for your life because every person is important & unique, and if we don't take care of ourselves & be the best we can be, then we can't be much good for others. God Bless Jillian

You are NOT alone at all. My husband is the same way exactly. I will post soon what happened this morning, but first I wanted to tell you... sweetie I know very much how this feels. I have finally found an excellent psychiatrist and she got me in with a counselor, and it is bad because the only reason I am suddenly getting this care and attention is my terminal diagnosis with the liver problem. Now they want to help me and they are. My depression was completely relieved by .5 mg of halperidol once a day... I know, I know... no one would even try it before, but for me, it does not put me to sleep, it effects my brain chemicals in a way that is curing the depression. I know it is not normally prescribed for pain and depression and is used for delusional thinking. Well I can guarantee you I don't hear voices or have schizophrenia, but still a very, very small dose of this medication is saving my life...

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I told them I am into quality not quantity at this point. The doctor is trying a routine called micro-dosing. It seems that sometimes more is not better when it comes to psychiatric medications. More is often less effective. Soon they will mix a micro-dose of a anti-depressant with it... less than 1/4 the normal dose. Believe it or not this is state of the art bi-polar management right out of the University of Washington psychiatric studies and the students and professors there found this out by shear accident. More is not better with psychiatric medications. Sweetie please stop crying... I know it seems hopeless and lonely and I am considering leaving my husband because of his lack of sensitivity to my pain and my depression, that is made worse by the pain. If he is not going to care or listen, why are we still together? I may be one lady with a lot of problems but I certainly do not want to spend the rest of my life with a man that is not being supportive. Anyway... PM or just ask me any question... I will try to PM you my email address. Please don't feel alone... just sending hug over the net. I understand you. hugs Amanda!

First of all, thanks for sharing all of that honest, personal info. That's how you have to be when you're truly desperate for help. Am I correct in understanding that you are closed to all SSRI's and SNRI's? Well, Here are some suggestions for benzos, anti-psychotics, and mood stabilizers that have either worked for me personally,or that I've seen good results/outcomes in loved ones... If you're feeling constantly anxious, Klonopin taken twice a day helps with that since it is long-acting. However if you're also having acute episodes of panic, either xanax or ativan would be benificial to take in between the klonopin as needed. some Dr's are picky about prescribing 2 benzos at once. Mine has me on both klonopin and xanax.

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Ok and it sounds to me that you need to take immediate control of the manic episodes before an even worse bad choice is made! I usually don't reccommend this anti-psychotic, but I really think you'd really benefit from doses of seroquel throughout the day, taking the largest dose at bedtime. With the Seroquel, you may not even need a benzo. Or just take a dose of Seroquel XR in the morning and another dose of Seroquel XR at bedtime.I think this would be ideal. And as far as mood stabilizers. Antipsychotics and mood stabilizers are pretty much the same kind of thing. Check into this with a Dr.! I know the Seroquel will definitely manage the mania. He may even reccommend Zyprexa, which is also right up there with Seroquel in my opinion. Get the help you need and DO NOT SETTLE FOR LESS!

I have responded to your question already, but here it is again in my inbox this morning. I hope you are feeling better. You say you will not take centain drugs, but are self medicating? Doesn't make sense to me that you won't take what should be prescribed, but are self medicating & asking for help! Go see a doctor & get the right medication for your condition! My hubby has fought this disease since he was 16, but always fooled the docs into thinking it was ok, until 9 years ago & he overdosed so bad the had me calling anyone who woulld want to say good bye to him because he wasn't going to make it. He finally that weekend did make it, but has done lots of damage to his nervous system & now has to live with that. He finally connected with a doctor he like & trusted, & has been wonderful ever since. It take the right combo of meds for bipolar, & it takes a while to find them. My hubby takes zoloft 200mg & now was added wellbutrin 75mg.

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He is doing fairly well now thank goodness. You have to give meds time, & find the right mix. It's different for everyone & it's a trial & error type of thing. It is what it is! Hope this helps...

I relate all to well. Before I finally admitted myself into a hospital to find the right medication my life was in a downward spiral. I even went to a hotel to, you know (another story,another time) but you get it. I had hit Rick bottom. I have a partner that stuck around through all of this too. As they tried me on different medications most of which exhaust berated my symptoms making my depression even dangerously worse. I finally found a great physch doctor, and that is what you need a physch doctor, they understand how these medications work. I eventually am on ability for depression (Bp) trileptal as a mood stabilizer and remeron for anxiety. I must say I was taking 4 Xanex a day and when they put me on the remeron my anxiety totally dissapeared.. Now I have a cabinet full of Xanex. Everyone is different and it may take some time.

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First thing first, find a physch doctor, second, be patient some meds may make you worse and the bummer is it takes about 5 weeks to know if it is helping. Third if you feel you are a threat to yourself get addmitted, it really is not bad, it is a break from "life" and the doctor can monitor you closely to see how you react to certain meds. Take care and good luck

you are in a very similar situation as I. Nobody to talk to about this, except, thank God, my insurance affords me a psychiatrist 3 times a week for now, until stabilized... he does both pharm and talk therapy... I am very lucky to have found this, along with either a daily email or phone call... he is a special sort.

Anyhow, whoops, I guess it is human nature to want to talk about ourselves... so many of us a dying to do so , with out a forum... perhaps that is what is missing for your partner,as to why the tendency to turn to he/ she's self is happening... that's a generous stretch... but just maybe.
did that make any sense??? I have a broken keyboard, so it''s frustrating to type my thoughts ...

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In my home, I have a husband, young adult and teenage children... none of them can tolerate what I feel I "endure" daily. It is very hard. Nor should they have to either... it is my job to take care of myself and get myself on proper meds and therapy to control my situation--- it IS do-able for most... but not an easy road... yes, it is lonesome, and I wish it were different here, but it's not.

I do not understand your aversion to SSRI"s or SNRI's. As most bipolars treatment at one time or another, they need to be a part of the "cocktail", which is my case now. 8 meds daily... for bipolar, panic, anxiety, mood rollercoaster: depression,mania,psychotic thoughts... you name it.
I take: mood stabilizer, benzos, anti-psychotic, SSRI, suboxone (drug treatment for opiate dep.)and in some of those classes of med ; two types... whatever it takes.
It took a very long time to find the right mix... two years of being diagnosed at age 48--- I have JUST started to become stable. Adding Latuda to my mix has made all the difference in the world.

Just remember, do not loose patience. I am assuming you can get yourself to a local clinic , if no insurance, and begin to get treated.

YOU HAVE TO DO THIS ... FOR YOURSELF!!!
This disease, I could not imagine treating myself... that's how I got addicted to opiates--- self medicating... years before that--- drinking--- always something, until I sought a PSYCHIATRIST-not just therapist--- and received proper meds ALSO.

Such a lonesome place to be where you are--- hook yourself up with some online support groups OR BETTER YET, IN YOUR COMMUNITY-they are free and you can speak with "like" people... google them... go to the NAMI website--- they have a wealth of info and links.

Sorry for your pain, especially at this time of year... as the rest of the world seems so jolly for others, and not able to see any of it now.

Good luck.
feel free to email me directly... you can get it from my profile.
I wish you well.