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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Stopping Bipolar/Depression Meds, Substitute 5-HTP?
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.
Stopping Bipolar/Depression Meds, Substitute 5-HTP?
by TarlCabot, Jun 27, 2007 12:00AM
I'm long time SSRI user, Atypical Bipolar (whatever the heck that means) and depression. I have recently found posts on various forums here concerning using 5-HTP as an anti-depressant in place of the SSRI's. Anyone want to comment on that? I Know I have to taper off the SSRI's and will not stop them without doing that, but I'd really like to stop them owing to the totally frustrating sexual side effects, etc.
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Jul 02, 2007 12:00AM
, Jul 02, 2007 12:00AM
You'll have to get comments from others who have tried this, I have no experience with it, but if you are having sexual side effects, ask your doctor about switching you to wellbutrin, which many others have used successfully without those side effects.
What I am learning from folks who have come off the meds is that while 5HTP can be a amazing, exercise is equally important.
good luck
laura gail
Don't take them together, and due to the exceptionally long half life of some SSRIs, make sure you wait some time before starting 5-HTP supplementation.
Don't take them together, and due to the exceptionally long half life of some SSRIs, make sure you wait some time before starting 5-HTP supplementation.
not being able to hold relationships and jobs financial problems other medical problems as well
but i have done extensive research on this disease and you should do some research on it too.
It is very dangerous to come off meds with this aweful disease.