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Suggest Treatment For Severe Anxiety And Depression While On Lithium
Question: Hi there. I'm currently on Lithium for anxiety and depression however i feel that my body isnt responding to the Lithium at all as i am still severely depressed and anxious. The psychiatrist that perscribed the lithium in the first place is no longer within my treating team and at the moment have no GP to taper me off the lithium however I would like to do so. I am only allergic to ibruprofen that I know of and I am wondering if you could provide me with any advice as to the process of coming off lithium. Thanks
Brief Answer:
Need some details.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
I can understand your concerns.
Lithium does not cause any discontinuation symptoms. However it is still better to discontinue the drug slowly.
Can you please tell what dose and since his long have you been taking lithium?
Do you also take any other drugs with lithium?
This will help me to guide you better.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Regards.
Need some details.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
I can understand your concerns.
Lithium does not cause any discontinuation symptoms. However it is still better to discontinue the drug slowly.
Can you please tell what dose and since his long have you been taking lithium?
Do you also take any other drugs with lithium?
This will help me to guide you better.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Thanks for your quick response. I'm taking Valium as a PRN as this is the only thing that calms me down when I am in a severely anxious state. Other than that I was taking Sertroline for the depression but this also had no effect on stablizing my mood so I discontinued them myself about a month ago. My Lithium dosage is 250mg
Brief Answer:
Can be stopped directly.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
Sorry for late response this time.
250mg lithium is a very minimal dose. In my opinion, you can stop it directly. There is no need of tapering it gradually.
It would be great if you could contact a psychiatrist and request for further treatment for your anxiety and depression.
Sertraline has not worked for you. Another SSRI can be tried like escitalopram or paroxetine (prescription drug).
Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Can be stopped directly.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
Sorry for late response this time.
250mg lithium is a very minimal dose. In my opinion, you can stop it directly. There is no need of tapering it gradually.
It would be great if you could contact a psychiatrist and request for further treatment for your anxiety and depression.
Sertraline has not worked for you. Another SSRI can be tried like escitalopram or paroxetine (prescription drug).
Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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