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What Causes Rise In BP During Emotional And Depressed Situations?
Question: I seem to be extremely emotional / depressed and I am hypertensive, but trying to control through diet/exercise. However, I cry a lot. And when I cry, it raises it a bit. Is this normal? Should I do as they suggested and take a Xanax when this is occurring. I just want to curl up in a ball and cry.
Brief Answer:
You need to visit a psychiatrist
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for writing through HCM.
I have read your query and understood your concerns.
If the feelings are depressive, lacking interest in everything with thoughts of ending your life then you need urgent attention and treatment form a psychiatrist. Depression is common but if not addressed it will cause misery in life.
There is a type of bipolar disorder which is known as bipolar depression which is very different from simple depression and somewhat difficult to treat. For how long you have been on Lamotrigine? How much dose? Reply with answers.
The treatment of depression is available and it is effective. Xanax will just calm and make you sleep. Your depression can only be treated by Antidepressant drugs. Even if it is a bipolar depression you will need antidepressant in your depressive episode. Mood stabilizer alone won't work.
SSRI antidepressants are very effective and you will see benefit within 15 to 20 days. I here recommend you to visit a psychiatrist and ask for help. Don't use xanax much, it is addictive. Do not just curl up and cry. It can be resolved with drugs.
The options here for you are the combination of drugs like fluoxetine+olanzapine, quetiapine [high dosage], lurasidone etc. If you want to continue lamotrigine then You need addition of antidepressant drug if your depression is to be treated.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have further query the I will be happy to help.
Wish you good health. Reply with answers.
You need to visit a psychiatrist
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for writing through HCM.
I have read your query and understood your concerns.
If the feelings are depressive, lacking interest in everything with thoughts of ending your life then you need urgent attention and treatment form a psychiatrist. Depression is common but if not addressed it will cause misery in life.
There is a type of bipolar disorder which is known as bipolar depression which is very different from simple depression and somewhat difficult to treat. For how long you have been on Lamotrigine? How much dose? Reply with answers.
The treatment of depression is available and it is effective. Xanax will just calm and make you sleep. Your depression can only be treated by Antidepressant drugs. Even if it is a bipolar depression you will need antidepressant in your depressive episode. Mood stabilizer alone won't work.
SSRI antidepressants are very effective and you will see benefit within 15 to 20 days. I here recommend you to visit a psychiatrist and ask for help. Don't use xanax much, it is addictive. Do not just curl up and cry. It can be resolved with drugs.
The options here for you are the combination of drugs like fluoxetine+olanzapine, quetiapine [high dosage], lurasidone etc. If you want to continue lamotrigine then You need addition of antidepressant drug if your depression is to be treated.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have further query the I will be happy to help.
Wish you good health. Reply with answers.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
I'm more concerned with the BP rising. It upsets me, which on top of the already occurring issues, seems to make me feel fear, worse, etc. Is this why my BP is rising?
I realize the other things. Unfortunately, due to financial hardship, I cannot afford the help that is needed in this department due to the fact that Health Care has become so expensive that middle class workers are not longer able to do the Mental Health care as we were able to up to 3 years ago. I am strong in the church, so faith is my Psychiatrist. My medications that I am on now have been for over 5 years.
Thank you for your time. I apologize for disturbing you. I had hoped that I could find an answer for the stress/anxiety/tears/heartache and my Blood Pressure which has been doing good until today. I guess that is my answer. You, as my primary care physician are just not able to help.
Happy Holidays!
I realize the other things. Unfortunately, due to financial hardship, I cannot afford the help that is needed in this department due to the fact that Health Care has become so expensive that middle class workers are not longer able to do the Mental Health care as we were able to up to 3 years ago. I am strong in the church, so faith is my Psychiatrist. My medications that I am on now have been for over 5 years.
Thank you for your time. I apologize for disturbing you. I had hoped that I could find an answer for the stress/anxiety/tears/heartache and my Blood Pressure which has been doing good until today. I guess that is my answer. You, as my primary care physician are just not able to help.
Happy Holidays!
Brief Answer:
You can go for nonpharmacological treatment options
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for writing again.
I feel sorry because I am not able to help you from a distant place and without in person interview I can not know anything better, but I can suggest you to go for non-pharmacological management options like:
-Making schedule for daily activities
-Attending the social gatherings [if possible]
-Spending time in church and in the activities you like
-Mild exercise like walking in the morning and afternoon [if you do not have problem with your knees]
-Avoiding sedentary life style
-Allowing friends and family to help
-Interacting with other people
-Joining groups running for awareness for depression in your area
-Whenever you feel severe stress reaction and you have mental breakdown you can perform breathing exercises and relaxation therapy
-keeping yourself busy in some activities is important
-If in future you have any king of suicidal thoughts you should immediately run to the doctor
Take necessary precaution in diet for BP maintenance as per advice from your physician. Take medications regularly. Stress and anxiety can cause BP fluctuations. Depressive symptoms are always associated with some anxiety features so it may be cause for your rise in your blood pressure.
Hope I have tried to help. If you do not have further question then close the discussion and rate the answer. Your feedback is valuable for me.
wish you good health.
You can go for nonpharmacological treatment options
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for writing again.
I feel sorry because I am not able to help you from a distant place and without in person interview I can not know anything better, but I can suggest you to go for non-pharmacological management options like:
-Making schedule for daily activities
-Attending the social gatherings [if possible]
-Spending time in church and in the activities you like
-Mild exercise like walking in the morning and afternoon [if you do not have problem with your knees]
-Avoiding sedentary life style
-Allowing friends and family to help
-Interacting with other people
-Joining groups running for awareness for depression in your area
-Whenever you feel severe stress reaction and you have mental breakdown you can perform breathing exercises and relaxation therapy
-keeping yourself busy in some activities is important
-If in future you have any king of suicidal thoughts you should immediately run to the doctor
Take necessary precaution in diet for BP maintenance as per advice from your physician. Take medications regularly. Stress and anxiety can cause BP fluctuations. Depressive symptoms are always associated with some anxiety features so it may be cause for your rise in your blood pressure.
Hope I have tried to help. If you do not have further question then close the discussion and rate the answer. Your feedback is valuable for me.
wish you good health.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
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