Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Mental Health (Expert Forum)
antipsychotics
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
antipsychotics
by Susan, Feb 04, 2000 12:00AM
I asked a question at an earlier date about Risperdal and you answered it. Thank you very much. I had added another question to go with it but I don't think you saw it.
I have been on an antipsychotic for the last twelve years. I suffered from severe depression but am now diagnosed as bipolar. My doctor has not prescribed a mood stabilizer but left me on Risperdal. Each doctor I have seen prescribes an antipsychotic, I think, because the previous doctor prescribed it. How does a doctor determine if a person needs an antipsychotic if they are OK while taking one? No one has suggested that I not take it, in order to determine if I still need it or not. I have mentioned this to my doctor but he doesn't want to take a chance. But I have read it should be tapered off and not given all the time. I would understand if I were schizophrenic or had psychotic features all the time. Can you help answer this for me? It worries me a lot because I do not think it is good for me. I am tempted to just discontinue it myself. Thank you.
I have been on an antipsychotic for the last twelve years. I suffered from severe depression but am now diagnosed as bipolar. My doctor has not prescribed a mood stabilizer but left me on Risperdal. Each doctor I have seen prescribes an antipsychotic, I think, because the previous doctor prescribed it. How does a doctor determine if a person needs an antipsychotic if they are OK while taking one? No one has suggested that I not take it, in order to determine if I still need it or not. I have mentioned this to my doctor but he doesn't want to take a chance. But I have read it should be tapered off and not given all the time. I would understand if I were schizophrenic or had psychotic features all the time. Can you help answer this for me? It worries me a lot because I do not think it is good for me. I am tempted to just discontinue it myself. Thank you.
Doctor's Answer
by HFHS.MD-AJ, Feb 06, 2000 12:00AM
Susan,
I have reviewed your previous post of 1/29/00, with response by HFHS.MD-SW dated 2/1/00. The first-line treatment of bipolar disorder is usually with mood-stabilizers such as Lithium, Depakote, or Tegretol. The initial stages of manic episodes may require treatment with antipsychotics, such as Risperdal, but these may be tapered and discontinued after the manic episode has subsided, with continuation of long-term treatment with mood-stabilizers. I would not recommend discontinuation of medications, without informing your treating physician/psychiatrist.
I have reviewed your previous post of 1/29/00, with response by HFHS.MD-SW dated 2/1/00. The first-line treatment of bipolar disorder is usually with mood-stabilizers such as Lithium, Depakote, or Tegretol. The initial stages of manic episodes may require treatment with antipsychotics, such as Risperdal, but these may be tapered and discontinued after the manic episode has subsided, with continuation of long-term treatment with mood-stabilizers. I would not recommend discontinuation of medications, without informing your treating physician/psychiatrist.
Click on Post and then ask the doctor a question and then click submit at the very bottom.
Good luck to you.