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What Causes Irritability And Mood Swings While Having Depression?

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Posted on Tue, 4 Apr 2017
Question: Hello, I seem to be suffering from some sort of mental illness. I have a lot of anxiety and am very irritable. Its not uncommon for me to have mood swings and get annoyed with things easy. I am always tired and have a mild depression.

I can not stop googling my symptoms and keep trying to figure out what I have. I have convinced myself I have some sort of bi polar disorder and Along being tired, I have a very hard time concentrating. My brain is just fog. Currently, I am on 10mg of citalipram. I have been taking citalipram for the past 9 years. I have an exam coming up and I really need to up my mental focus within the next week. The doctor prescribed me Vyvance too. Which I have tried for two days. It doesnt help with the brain fog just give me more phisical energy.

Also, are you able to recommend a questionnaire where it can help narrow down what I have?

I thought I might add that my sleep is not the greatest, I tend to toss and turn also I was told I have ADD when I was a child.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (53 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.

What you are describing is a classic mixture of anxiety and depression. This would not respond well to Vyvanse, so I recommend stopping this. I would work with a local doctor on increasing the dose of citalopram, as you are on a very low dose. I would increase 10mg per week to a maximum of 40mg daily. This will help you.

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (1 hour later)
Is this perhaps why aderall and dex have not responded to me in the past?

If so, are you able to provide a little insight as to why these types of medications dont respond well to anxiety and depression?

I am having a hard time accepting the fact that I should try a higher dose. I sweat really bad to the point it is embarassing on citalipram. I also gain a lot of weight when i am at 20 mg.

I worked really hard to get to 5mg a day. Now bsck to 10.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (18 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
Yes, this is likely why these medications were not helpful in the past.

Stimulants increase anxious energy and do not generally target depressive receptors in the brain (serotonin), instead targeting dopamine, which is not much involved in depression.

If you have bad side effects such as sweating on citalopram, you should try a different medication. I recommend escitalopram, starting at 10mg, and increasing to the maximum of 20mg daily.

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
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Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2014

Answered : 2236 Questions

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What Causes Irritability And Mood Swings While Having Depression?

Brief Answer: Consultation Detailed Answer: Hello, and thanks for your question. What you are describing is a classic mixture of anxiety and depression. This would not respond well to Vyvanse, so I recommend stopping this. I would work with a local doctor on increasing the dose of citalopram, as you are on a very low dose. I would increase 10mg per week to a maximum of 40mg daily. This will help you. Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied. In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers