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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Is it the Depakote that's the problem or is it slippping into depression?
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
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.
Is it the Depakote that's the problem or is it slippping into depression?
by mkp24, Mar 14, 2004 12:00AM
Question:
What are the side effects of going off Depakote?
Explanation:
Then:
At 13 I became very depressed. I was diagnosed depression/mood disorder and a mild case of OCD but a doctor found a medication combination that helped me. This combination was:
Zoloft a day (150 mg mornings, 50 mg evenings)
Escalith (1/2 pill evenings)
Depakote (250 mg mornings, 750 mg evenings)
Now:
At almost 25, I am attempting to cut back medications, mainly because I dislike the side effects, particularly re: Depakote (e.g. grogginess, lethargy, and lack of mental clarity). In fact, regardless of when I take the Depakote, it causes excessive tiredness (to the point where getting up in the morning is extremely difficult).
Medications cut:
1st the Escalith since it was the lowest dose. 2nd the Depakote, 1st by taking 1 less 250 mg every other night and then by trying 250 mg less every night.
Consequences of cutting back:
Escalith: mood swings and feelings of anxiety, but these gradually subsided.
Depakote - 1st cut: nightly feelings of anxiety (i.e. feeling afraid and panicky for no discernable reason) although feelings eventually lessened and episodes grew further apart. Reminding myself of reality and the positive side of "the unknown" reduced this anxiety somewhat.
Depakote - 2nd cut: more difficult, increased anxiety
Two days ago my doctor recommended stopping the Depakote entirely because the side effects (getting up in the mornings, grogginess) seemed to outweigh any good it was doing me and the fact that PMS (which I control with birth control) seems to be more an issue. Now, I am questioning this decision, partly because I am anxious, panicky, weepy, and have a headache but also (perhaps mainly) because of the other issues in my life at this time.
Other issues:
2 years ago, a devastating breakup, a long-term relationship, perhaps most meaningful ever. Breakup seemed to have been beyond my control. January 2002 said some words about boyfriend's father that doomed relationship in boyfriend's eyes. Anxiety as I had only experienced pre-medicine began night I insulted the father. Final rejection came early Fall 2002, provoking excrutiating anxiety and feelings of hopelessness. Fall 2002 contracted pneumonia, had mass dosses of antibiotics, taken off my medicine and then given it intravenously, recovered but was unable to finish semester due to work overload, feelings of failure for not handling better, and early January leave Study Abroad. Inital living arrangements brought further rejection; second living arrangements good, but depression and sleeping a lot (either due to Depakote or depression, which is the question). Summer 2003 returned home and have been unable to finish work sense. Diffculty getting out of bed, anxiety, fear of sleeping beccause fear I will not be able to get up, fear of not finishing work, A LOT of stress from academic family, fear of what professors think of me.
What are the side effects of going off Depakote?
Explanation:
Then:
At 13 I became very depressed. I was diagnosed depression/mood disorder and a mild case of OCD but a doctor found a medication combination that helped me. This combination was:
Zoloft a day (150 mg mornings, 50 mg evenings)
Escalith (1/2 pill evenings)
Depakote (250 mg mornings, 750 mg evenings)
Now:
At almost 25, I am attempting to cut back medications, mainly because I dislike the side effects, particularly re: Depakote (e.g. grogginess, lethargy, and lack of mental clarity). In fact, regardless of when I take the Depakote, it causes excessive tiredness (to the point where getting up in the morning is extremely difficult).
Medications cut:
1st the Escalith since it was the lowest dose. 2nd the Depakote, 1st by taking 1 less 250 mg every other night and then by trying 250 mg less every night.
Consequences of cutting back:
Escalith: mood swings and feelings of anxiety, but these gradually subsided.
Depakote - 1st cut: nightly feelings of anxiety (i.e. feeling afraid and panicky for no discernable reason) although feelings eventually lessened and episodes grew further apart. Reminding myself of reality and the positive side of "the unknown" reduced this anxiety somewhat.
Depakote - 2nd cut: more difficult, increased anxiety
Two days ago my doctor recommended stopping the Depakote entirely because the side effects (getting up in the mornings, grogginess) seemed to outweigh any good it was doing me and the fact that PMS (which I control with birth control) seems to be more an issue. Now, I am questioning this decision, partly because I am anxious, panicky, weepy, and have a headache but also (perhaps mainly) because of the other issues in my life at this time.
Other issues:
2 years ago, a devastating breakup, a long-term relationship, perhaps most meaningful ever. Breakup seemed to have been beyond my control. January 2002 said some words about boyfriend's father that doomed relationship in boyfriend's eyes. Anxiety as I had only experienced pre-medicine began night I insulted the father. Final rejection came early Fall 2002, provoking excrutiating anxiety and feelings of hopelessness. Fall 2002 contracted pneumonia, had mass dosses of antibiotics, taken off my medicine and then given it intravenously, recovered but was unable to finish semester due to work overload, feelings of failure for not handling better, and early January leave Study Abroad. Inital living arrangements brought further rejection; second living arrangements good, but depression and sleeping a lot (either due to Depakote or depression, which is the question). Summer 2003 returned home and have been unable to finish work sense. Diffculty getting out of bed, anxiety, fear of sleeping beccause fear I will not be able to get up, fear of not finishing work, A LOT of stress from academic family, fear of what professors think of me.
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Mar 15, 2004 12:00AM
, Mar 15, 2004 12:00AM
Depression is caused by your life situation, and in this case you are worried about many things and dealing with both disappointments and rejection. The very best thing to do is to go into therapy and sort this out...you already have demonstrated some success in controlling your moods by using your intelligent mind, you should continue that and go off as many of these mind altering medications as you can. You will be much better off without the depakote, so if I were you, I would continue my journey of going off medications and start to take charge of your life and your mind in a new way.
Member Comments (3)
by sdc1213, Mar 18, 2004 12:00AM
School is a big nervousness factor. Just keep saying to yourself I'm not here to play role model I'm here to learn. Meaning dont worry about what one thinks of you... as long as you're doing what your suppose to it shouldn't matter.
by sdc1213, Mar 18, 2004 12:00AM
School is a big nervousness factor. Just keep saying to yourself I'm not here to play role model I'm here to learn. Meaning dont worry about what one thinks of you... as long as you're doing what your suppose to it shouldn't matter.
by mkp24, Apr 17, 2004 12:00AM
To: sdc1213
Thank you for you comment. It is nice to know that somebody can relate. Amazingly, your suggestions highlight exactly how I have been feeling (i.e. like everyone is judging me because I failed at something and like I can never redeem myself). I really appreciate your comments.
