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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Antipsychotics
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.
Antipsychotics
by doggies, Feb 15, 2001 12:00AM
I was diagnosed as bipolar just two years ago after being diagnosed as having major depression with psychotic features for years. I have been on antipsychotics for about 14 years now. I keep reading where most people, unless they are schizophrenic, are not kept continually on antipsychotics. I am presentlly on Risperdal.
I have tried on numerous occasions to go off of it, but I feel terrible when I do. I cannot explain what feels bad but I usually feel afraid and just basically feel terrible. I start getting very quiet. I am not saying that psychotic features come back (so far I have only managed to go off of it for up to two months and then I have to start back again).
My question is, what would make me feel so bad without it? I mean, if psychotic features do not come back, do you know why I would feel so bad or would still need it? Is it bad to continually take it year after year? I don't know if I really need it or not.
I have tried on numerous occasions to go off of it, but I feel terrible when I do. I cannot explain what feels bad but I usually feel afraid and just basically feel terrible. I start getting very quiet. I am not saying that psychotic features come back (so far I have only managed to go off of it for up to two months and then I have to start back again).
My question is, what would make me feel so bad without it? I mean, if psychotic features do not come back, do you know why I would feel so bad or would still need it? Is it bad to continually take it year after year? I don't know if I really need it or not.
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Feb 19, 2001 12:00AM
, Feb 19, 2001 12:00AM
The general feeling is that you should continue on this drug, or this kind of drug, indefinitely. The bad feeling you have is probably a warning sign that you have been wise to heed in the past, and probably should continue to do so in the present.
The only side effect to worry about in long term use is tardive dyskinesia, which I am sure has been explained to you. It is much less likely with Risperdal than with the older medications, but you should be sure to talk to your doctor about this, and your particular risk.
The only side effect to worry about in long term use is tardive dyskinesia, which I am sure has been explained to you. It is much less likely with Risperdal than with the older medications, but you should be sure to talk to your doctor about this, and your particular risk.
