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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Lorazepam and bipolor disorder
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.
Lorazepam and bipolor disorder
by Jeanne, Jun 14, 2000 12:00AM
I am bipolar and take lorazepam for anxiety. I would like to quit taking this medication. Is there something safer that I could use that wouldn't be habit-forming?
Doctor's Answer
by HFHS MD-JM, Jun 15, 2000 12:00AM
Jeanne,
There are many different anxiolytic agents that have been shown to be efficacious and not have physical dependance or withdrawal. Ativan (lorazepam) is a benzodiazepine similar to Valium, Xanax, and Klonopin to name a few; all of these have physical addicition potential. The SSRI's like Paxil, Zoloft, and Celexa are excellent at treating anxiety symptoms but require several weeks before onset of action. Buspar is another agent that is helpful as an anti-anxiety medication without physical dependance, but once again requires weeks for onset of action. It is also very important for you to be maintained on a mood-stabilizing medication in addition to these other medications to avoid a manic induced episode. Neurontin, an anticonvulsant, is used as a mood stabilizing agent and has recently been shown to help in some anxiety disorders. I hope this was helpful. Please discuss these concerns further with your treating psychiatrist.
Sincerely,
HFHS MD-JM
There are many different anxiolytic agents that have been shown to be efficacious and not have physical dependance or withdrawal. Ativan (lorazepam) is a benzodiazepine similar to Valium, Xanax, and Klonopin to name a few; all of these have physical addicition potential. The SSRI's like Paxil, Zoloft, and Celexa are excellent at treating anxiety symptoms but require several weeks before onset of action. Buspar is another agent that is helpful as an anti-anxiety medication without physical dependance, but once again requires weeks for onset of action. It is also very important for you to be maintained on a mood-stabilizing medication in addition to these other medications to avoid a manic induced episode. Neurontin, an anticonvulsant, is used as a mood stabilizing agent and has recently been shown to help in some anxiety disorders. I hope this was helpful. Please discuss these concerns further with your treating psychiatrist.
Sincerely,
HFHS MD-JM
Member Comments (1)
by Jeanne43, Jun 16, 2000 12:00AM
Thank you for the information. I have been taking lorazepam for 10 years. I also take Prozac and lithium. Since I have been trying to get off the lorazepam, I have been having uncomfortable withdrawal problems. The worst is not being able to sleep at night. Please let me know if there is something I can do. I quit taking the lorazepam because I lost the bottle and my doctor said she could not write me another prescription. In the mean time I am afraid I will get manic if I don't get enouch rest.
by justin maki, Sep 06, 2000 12:00AM
i want to find out more about bipolor and the symptoms about the disease. And what i can do about getting help with it
