Recently Answered Questions
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Query: Hello doctor, I have been taking 250 mg of Depakote daily for the past year to manage my bipolar symptoms. Initially, two years back, I started with a daily dose of 500 mg. Since then, I have not experienced any mood swings or depressive symptoms throughout the past year. I have a history of trauma ... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and understand your concern. I have taken note of your mention that you have been on Depakote (Divalproex sodium) 250mg for a year, along with your past history of depression and previous use of Risperidone 1mg. I would like to understand whether y... Read Full »
I have been taking Olanzapine for bipolar disorder and have gained a lot of weight recently. Why?
Query: Hello doctor,I have been having pain in my forehead, mood swings, fatigue, and insomnia. I have been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder in the past and the doctor prescribed me with Mazepine. Recently the doctor diagnosed me with bipolar disorder and set my medicine to Olanzapine, Mazepi... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. In my opinion, there is no use in combining Carbamazepine and lithium and one of them can be tapered off. If you are having side effects with Olanzapine you can discuss with your treating psychiatrist regarding changing it with Lurasidone or Quetiapine. Also follow t... Read Full »
Query: Hello doctor,My wife is frequently using abusive words, does not show anger to loved ones, bangs buckets in the bathroom, does not socialize with anyone, and once when her brother came to meet her and she did not talk to him, scratched herself on her arm, then there was a sudden smile on her face an... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. The symptoms you have mentioned are not of bipolar disorder and if she is having these symptoms then she needs re-evaluation. The symptoms like inappropriate laughter, sudden mood swings, talking to self, and taking strange things for a particular person could be occur... Read Full »
What are my treatment options for managing my bipolar disorder?
Query: Hello doctor, I have bipolar 1. Rarely manic, depressed 2 to 3 times a year. I have felt good since last four months. This afternoon I suddenly got very depressed, hopeless, ideation. I also have racing thoughts, cannot sit still, very irritable, heart racing and cannot stop crying. I have never fel... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. These symptoms are probably due to drugs side-effects called akathisia which includes almost all the symptoms you mentioned. This can occur without any warning and also change in any drug dose or schedule. Take Ativan one tablet (1 or 2 mg) now and can be repeated after o... Read Full »
Query: Hello doctor, I am a 18-year-old and have extremely bad mood swings. I think I might be an attention seeker, I also feel like I have to be upset if someone I know is upset which is ruining my life. I can be happy, then cry the next minute. I also have a problem where I unintentionally say or wish ba... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have read your query and understand your concern. There are a few things I want to share with you after reading your symptoms. First of all, you told me that you have a family history of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. So I would like to inform you that there a... Read Full »
I have anxiety attacks despite taking medications. Why?
Query: Hello doctor, I am suffering from manic bipolar disorder for the past 11 years. The last time I was admitted was seven months ago because of an episode. Ever since then, I am facing new symptoms such as panic attacks or anxiety attacks where I cannot look anyone in their eyes and even lights freak m... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Thank you for your query. If you have been suffering from bipolar disorder for the past 11 years, then there is a chance that the current symptoms may be a depressive episode. Are there any other symptoms you experience? If it is only the fearfulness that is troubli... Read Full »
Friend has mood swings and hallucinations. Is it bipolar?
Query: Hello doctor, I have a friend who experienced psychosis six years ago. When he was in the military, he was diagnosed with schizophrenia by a military doctor, but I do not think that is the case. Now, after six years, he has never taken medication, but he is still pretty self-aware, even while study... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern about your friend. He may have psychosis as he has auditory hallucinations, but still, it is difficult to diagnose by the above information. I need a mental status examination of the patient to make a precise diagnosis. In psychiatry, ther... Read Full »
Why does my husband have daytime sleepiness from medicines?
Query: Hi doctor, My husband is suffering from bipolar disorder. He takes Lithium 450 mg daily and tablet of Sizodon LS at night. Initially, he used to take half a tablet of Sizodon LS. But now, again, he is complaining of excessive sleep during the daytime. His mania symptoms have reduced but have not gon... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. Your husband has a manic episode. His symptoms reduce on medication. If he has excessive sedation in the daytime, you can now stop his Sizodon LS (Risperidone). It was given for acute manic episodes and to calm patients. Once the patient star... Read Full »
Is Escitalopram helpful in social generalized anxiety disorder?
Query: Hello doctor, I have bipolar disorder. I take tablets Lithium 1350 mg, and Zyprexa 5 mg. My doctor prescribed 50 mg of Zoloft and raised to 75 mg, but I felt no benefits after two months. Recently with the help of a therapist, we found out that I also have a social generalized anxiety disorder and s... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Thank you for your query. In addition to bipolar disorder, you have been found to have social generalized anxiety disorder and OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) symptoms as you are already on tablet Zoloft (Sertraline), which is a good choice in treating these con... Read Full »
I was recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Kindly help.
Query: Hi doctor, I was recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder. But I am confused about what my prognosis or outlook will be. Also, I am planning on taking my prescribed medicines and going to all my appointment. But will it help me? Kindly help. Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. Bipolar disease is a chronic illness. It is a relapsing disease. The medicines for this condition will help to keep the illness under control; even if the condition relapses, the dosage of the medicine can be adjusted so as to keep the conditi... Read Full »