i have found that most of the medications i have taken have fixed one thing and made another worse. The medication I've been given for ADD usually worsens the OCD and helps the manic depressive symptoms. Then the medication I've taken for the manic depression and OCD have much worsen the ADD. I have tried most of the SSRI's on the market and none of them have helped. Is there one medication that can help all of these?
Whats the right kind of medication for someone with ADD, OCD, and manic depressive disorder?
- Asked
- 8 Dec 2011 by kelstown
- Updated
- 12 Feb 2013
- Topics
- mania, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, medication
Added 9 Dec 2011:
iv tried prozac, abilify, klonopin, adderall, welbutrin, and focalin all of them have either not done anything or worsened another disorder. Adderall worked some what for about 3 years but suddenly in the past year it hasn't had any effect on me at all. I do also have bipolar disorder and havn't been diagnosed with yet but my therapist says i display schitzotypal personality disorder, avoidant personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, and paranoid personality disorder.
Responses (4)
Hello keistown. I don't believe that there is one drug to fight your diagnosis. Best I might suggest is this combination, seroquel and zoloft. Not certain if you've tried these two. Zoloft would help curb your OCD and ADD and the seroquel the manic-depression. Its not easy, multiple illness, more often than not require multiple drugs and baggage that accompanies them. Very best of wishes,
Lithium (yes the very old stuff, very good med), will definitely help the mania, Celexa the depression, Ridilin ( old but very good-or other type) for your ADD/OCD. Abilify--works well to elevate the mood. The other is a medication called Klonopine (yes another older medication) all combined work very well together for all the symptoms you have described. I wish you well, try what you will and see how you feel. Once you start on Lithium, make sure you get blood levels drawn so lithium levels stay even, and of course liver enzyme test according to your prescribing physicians recommendations. And lastly, do not stop taking a medication before you give it the time and chance to help you, it does not work overnight.
Yes expect weight gain, its okay, and I would rather be happy, with a little weight gain, then sad, mad, unhappy and depressed.
kelstown - First, find out of you are Bipolar 1 or 2. It will make a difference in the medications prescribed. Ask your Dr., if you don't have a copy of the assessment report. With Bipolar, getting a correct diagnosis is an art, not to mention, adding the other disorders, whose comorbidity (or co-existence as dual disorders, etc.) is common. I would suspect that the Bipolar is the most prevalent? Is that the primary Axis 1 disorder? I am just giving you suggestions or questions for the Psychiatrist, so that you are very sure of diagnosis. It makes the process of trial & error with meds. much easier. Try to be patient because it took me 2 years and many medicines to find the right answer. And, I had two out of three of your disorders. Also, I'd ask the Dr. if all 3 are the level of severity to reach the full spectrum disorder, as sometimes ADHD/ADD and OCD can be shadow symptoms of the main disorder. Good luck!
Have you seen the description of "Ring of Fire" ADHD in Dr. Daniel Amen's book/ on his website? The other name is Basal Ganglia ADHD. It is ADHD with Bipolar-like mood swings, anxiety, and sometimes aggression. The mood disruptions tend to be more constant than with even rapid cycling Bipolar disorder. It can include obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. I've taken his test twice, several years apart, and this was my result both times.

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P.S. Ask your Dr. about all the mood stabilizers and second generation anti-psychotics, because with some Bipolar 1's, anti-depressants are not typically used. Usually a combo of anti-convulsant/mood stabilizer, trileptal or depakote and seroquel or another anti-psychotic.