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Suggest Treatment For Depression, Mood Swings And Weight Gain
Question: I am concerned about my son who is 20. He is currently taking an antidepressant. He still has times when he gets down. He is a college student and I know it's stressful but he sleeps a lot, is moody, and has gained a lot of weight. Some weeks his mood is good but then he goes right back to being depressed. How or what is the main diff in bipolar depression and depression?
Brief Answer:
he has likely bipolar depression
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us.
I can understand your concern for your son.
Earlier age of onset, abrupt onset, early recovery from depressive symptoms, reverse vegetative signs like more sleep(hypersomnia) and weight gain instead of insomnia and weight loss(which are normal symptoms of major depression),family history of bipolar, prone to substance use, associated with psychotic features are common symptoms which differentiate bipolar depression from unipolar depression(major depressive disorder).
As per your narration your son has few of the symptoms which suggest possibility of bipolar depression.And that is why he is not improving completely.
Treatment differs of both depression.
In bipolar depression lithium or lamotrigine (they are also called mood stabilizer), aripiprazole or quetiapine (anti psychotics approved for treatment for bipolar depression)is used and sometime SSRI(like lexapro) with some mood stabilizer.
In major depression SSRI like lexapro is sufficient.
I think you should discuss with his treating doctor about such aspect and if diagnosis of bipolar depression is confirmed, treatment can be changed accordingly.
Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
he has likely bipolar depression
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us.
I can understand your concern for your son.
Earlier age of onset, abrupt onset, early recovery from depressive symptoms, reverse vegetative signs like more sleep(hypersomnia) and weight gain instead of insomnia and weight loss(which are normal symptoms of major depression),family history of bipolar, prone to substance use, associated with psychotic features are common symptoms which differentiate bipolar depression from unipolar depression(major depressive disorder).
As per your narration your son has few of the symptoms which suggest possibility of bipolar depression.And that is why he is not improving completely.
Treatment differs of both depression.
In bipolar depression lithium or lamotrigine (they are also called mood stabilizer), aripiprazole or quetiapine (anti psychotics approved for treatment for bipolar depression)is used and sometime SSRI(like lexapro) with some mood stabilizer.
In major depression SSRI like lexapro is sufficient.
I think you should discuss with his treating doctor about such aspect and if diagnosis of bipolar depression is confirmed, treatment can be changed accordingly.
Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your response. Will he ever be able to stop the meds if he gets better or will he always have to take medication regardless?
Should he see a psychiatrist or should we discuss with his primary doctor the bipolar disorder?
Should he see a psychiatrist or should we discuss with his primary doctor the bipolar disorder?
Brief Answer:
He should see a psychiatrist
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up.
If diagnosis of bipolar disorder is confirmed, likely possibility that he has to take medicines for at least one year after he completely improves to prevent relapse.
In future if he gets second episode by chance, he should take minimum required dose of mood stabilizer probably for 3-5 years after improvement.
And again 3rd episode is there medicines should be continued for lifelong.
Better to consult psychiatrist than primary doctor for such problem.
Hope this answers your query.
Feel free to discuss further. If you do not have more queries, please close the discussion and if feasible give your feedback and rating for improvement on our side.
Take care.
http://bit.ly/drchintansolanki
He should see a psychiatrist
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up.
If diagnosis of bipolar disorder is confirmed, likely possibility that he has to take medicines for at least one year after he completely improves to prevent relapse.
In future if he gets second episode by chance, he should take minimum required dose of mood stabilizer probably for 3-5 years after improvement.
And again 3rd episode is there medicines should be continued for lifelong.
Better to consult psychiatrist than primary doctor for such problem.
Hope this answers your query.
Feel free to discuss further. If you do not have more queries, please close the discussion and if feasible give your feedback and rating for improvement on our side.
Take care.
http://bit.ly/drchintansolanki
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Is anxiety also associated with bipolar disorder?
Brief Answer:
anxiety can occur in many psychiatric problem
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for question.
Anxiety can occur in many psychiatric conditions.
Different anxiety spectrum disorders and depression are the most common cause of anxiety. Depression being a part of bipolar disorder, anxiety can occur in bipolar disorder also.
Hoe you got the answer.
Wish you good health to your son.
anxiety can occur in many psychiatric problem
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for question.
Anxiety can occur in many psychiatric conditions.
Different anxiety spectrum disorders and depression are the most common cause of anxiety. Depression being a part of bipolar disorder, anxiety can occur in bipolar disorder also.
Hoe you got the answer.
Wish you good health to your son.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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