mood stabilizers

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I am relatively new the OCD world and meds, I'm doing so much research &

learning from all of you- thank you. I'm curious- should I assume if kids are

on an SSRI and a " mood stabilizer " that they are bipolar as well? Or do

non-bipolar kids go on them for some reasons too? Thanks.

Missy

[Guest guest]

Hi Missy, sometimes they are added because they seem to boost/enhance

the effect of the SSRI, get it working or get it working better, etc.

Although at times a doctor has prescribed it for other reasons, not to

go with the SSRI. It might be to lessen a behavioral side effect of an

SSRI.

So, yes, those with bipolar definitely take them with an SSRI but it's

not the only reason some children are taking them.

Here's one paragraph I found:

Medications used to enhance the efficacy of SSRIs or Anafranil in

reducing OCD symptoms (often referred to as " augmentation " ) include:

BuSpar (buspirone), Remeron (mirtazapine), Klonopin (clonazepam),

Risperdal (risperidone), Zyprexa (olanzapine), Seroquel (quetiapine),

Geodon (ziprasidone), Abilify (aripiprazole), Depakote (divalproex),

Neurontin (gabapentin), Lamictal (lamotrigine), Topamax (topiramate),

Gabatril (topiramate), and Lithium Carbonate. In addition, Inositol, a

B-vitamin available without prescription from most health-food stores

and many pharmacies, has shown effectiveness in reducing OCD symptoms

when taken with SSRIs, and, in some cases, even when taken alone

(although dosages had to be pushed to fairly high levels).

Hope this helps.

>

> Hi,

>

> I am relatively new the OCD world and meds, I'm doing so much

research & learning from all of you- thank you. I'm curious- should I

assume if kids are on an SSRI and a " mood stabilizer " that they are

bipolar as well? Or do non-bipolar kids go on them for some reasons

too? Thanks.

>

> Missy

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Missy.

I can only speak from my own experience as an adult with anxiety/bi polar. I

don't have OCD. I take 10mg of Lexapro and 150 mg of Lamictal.

is right, the Lamictal helps with the Lexapro. For some reason I get

agitated by SSRI's. They make my mood extreme so the Lamictal helps with the

agitation. Thankfully I have been stable for about 2 years now. :0)

I just wish that my daughter can attain the same stability with her anxiety/OCD.

Good luck.

Jen

Re: mood stabilizers

Hi Missy, sometimes they are added because they seem to boost/enhance

the effect of the SSRI, get it working or get it working better, etc.

Although at times a doctor has prescribed it for other reasons, not to

go with the SSRI. It might be to lessen a behavioral side effect of an

SSRI.

So, yes, those with bipolar definitely take them with an SSRI but it's

not the only reason some children are taking them.

Here's one paragraph I found:

Medications used to enhance the efficacy of SSRIs or Anafranil in

reducing OCD symptoms (often referred to as " augmentation " ) include:

BuSpar (buspirone), Remeron (mirtazapine), Klonopin (clonazepam),

Risperdal (risperidone), Zyprexa (olanzapine), Seroquel (quetiapine),

Geodon (ziprasidone), Abilify (aripiprazole), Depakote (divalproex),

Neurontin (gabapentin), Lamictal (lamotrigine), Topamax (topiramate),

Gabatril (topiramate), and Lithium Carbonate. In addition, Inositol, a

B-vitamin available without prescription from most health-food stores

and many pharmacies, has shown effectiveness in reducing OCD symptoms

when taken with SSRIs, and, in some cases, even when taken alone

(although dosages had to be pushed to fairly high levels).

Hope this helps.

>

> Hi,

>

> I am relatively new the OCD world and meds, I'm doing so much

research & learning from all of you- thank you. I'm curious- should I

assume if kids are on an SSRI and a " mood stabilizer " that they are

bipolar as well? Or do non-bipolar kids go on them for some reasons

too? Thanks.

>

> Missy

>

>