Posted by Mitch on September 3, 2001, at 18:10:22
In reply to MITCH: help! (re: Risperdal): » Mitch, posted by Janelle on September 3, 2001, at 16:16:35
> Okay, so now I get the impression that Risperdal *can* cause agitation and anxiety? I thought it worked like Zyprexa (or even Depakote) in terms of calming irrational, racing, anxious thoughts, but perhaps it can do the opposite?
>
> From what I've observed over the years, I would say yes- there IS a bipolar mixed state going on. She has had some very (almost too) *high* pperiods that last a long time, so it is hard to see that she does indeed cycle.
> Thanks again, JanelleThanks for that information. I thought that most people that present with a mixed state (like at an ER) would be started off rapidly on Depakote with a big dose of a benzo like Klonopin or Ativan to get them settled down and then see how they respond to that first and then evaluate whether to use an antipsychotic. Oh, BTW, there have been reports of hypomania on atypical antipsychotics like Risperdal. I just saw a bulletin the other day about Seroquel causing hypomania. In general yes, they do calm people down who aren't thinking straight and are agitated. But people that are bipolar can be sensitive to any meds that can have antidepressant activity and these newer antipsychotics like Risperdal *do* have good antidepressant properties, that is why they are being used for treatment resistant depression with some success. I hope your friend gets better
soon,Mitch
poster:Mitch
thread:77452
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010902/msgs/77596.html