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Suggest Treatment For Depression
I have been taking Valproic Acid (250mg) twice a day for 9 days. I find I am more depressed than before. My doctor advise reducing the dose 1 tablet a day, morning tablet, then 1 tablet every other day. I would like to just stop. Please comment. Thank you.
Wed, 17 Sep 2014
Hello and thanks for your query.
I understand that you are going through a difficult time due to your depression. You have mentioned that you had been put on Valproate - which is a mood stabilizer and I"m not sure why you needed a mood stabilizer instead of an antidepressant.
The only possible reason that I can think of is that you could have been diagnosed to have bipolar depression and hence a mood stabilizer may have been started. But this is just my assumption, because you have not provided sufficient details about your initial problem.
In the current situation, if Valproate is not helping you and your depression is getting worse, then you may need an antidepressant medication. However, if you have a bipolar depression, then the antidepressant needs to be given under the cover of a mood stabilizer. So, please discuss about these options with your treating doctor.
Best wishes,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar
Consultant Psychiatrist
I understand that you are going through a difficult time due to your depression. You have mentioned that you had been put on Valproate - which is a mood stabilizer and I"m not sure why you needed a mood stabilizer instead of an antidepressant.
The only possible reason that I can think of is that you could have been diagnosed to have bipolar depression and hence a mood stabilizer may have been started. But this is just my assumption, because you have not provided sufficient details about your initial problem.
In the current situation, if Valproate is not helping you and your depression is getting worse, then you may need an antidepressant medication. However, if you have a bipolar depression, then the antidepressant needs to be given under the cover of a mood stabilizer. So, please discuss about these options with your treating doctor.
Best wishes,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar
Consultant Psychiatrist
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