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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Discontinuing Medication
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.
Discontinuing Medication
by Debi, Sep 18, 1999 12:00AM
I am 34 years old and have been taking medication for bipolar II disorder regularly for the past 8 years (prior to that it was on and off). I discontinued taking seroquel approximately 4 months ago (with my doctor's ok) and within the past month have discontinued the tegretol XR, lamictal, and wellbutrin SR. My question is what is the chance of a relapse and is it ever possible to stay off medications for good? I realize it is not possible to know for sure but I would like to know if there are any studies done on this or any statistics available. A concern I have is what the effects of taking these medications over an extremely long period of time are and is there a point where it is actually more harmful to take so many medications? Thank you for your help.
Doctor's Answer
by HFHS.MD-AJ, Sep 24, 1999 12:00AM
Debi,
Data for bipolar II disorder suggests that more than 90% of individuals who have a single hypomanic episode go on to have future episodes. However, there is insufficient data about the risks of relapse after discontinuation of treatment for bipolar II disorder. The decision to maintain patients on medications is based on several factors including the severity of the illness, the number of previous hypomanic and depressive episodes, the risks of adverse effects from the particular medications, and the quality of the patient's support system. I urge you to discuss the benefits versus the risks of long-term medication treatment with your treating physician/psychiatrist.
Data for bipolar II disorder suggests that more than 90% of individuals who have a single hypomanic episode go on to have future episodes. However, there is insufficient data about the risks of relapse after discontinuation of treatment for bipolar II disorder. The decision to maintain patients on medications is based on several factors including the severity of the illness, the number of previous hypomanic and depressive episodes, the risks of adverse effects from the particular medications, and the quality of the patient's support system. I urge you to discuss the benefits versus the risks of long-term medication treatment with your treating physician/psychiatrist.
