We will begin making small changes to my medication regiment in hopes that the underlying conditions caused by the Bipolar II Mixed State can be relieved. My time taking antidepressants has not helped. Approximately seven different antidepressants have been tried with minor positive effects.
Most of the antidepressants have had a rather significant negative effect. Primarily they have exacerbated my degree of irritability and agitation. I am now told this should have been a red flag for my treating physician at the time. We are all only human and everyone makes mistakes. The important fact is that we are on the right track now.
My current medications are Lexapro, Aripiprazole and Inderal. In an effort to get at quieting the agitation and irritability we will be raising the dosage of the Aripiprazole, which is a mood stabilizer, and hopefully the depression will ebb as well. Once my dosage of Aripiprazole has increased and the irritability lessens we will scale back the Lexapro.
The Lexapro may well be triggering my hypomania. My elevated irritability and agitation could well be accelerated by the Lexapro due to the Bipolar II Mixed State and its interactions with the antidepressant. Some people report that Lexapro will rev them up. Seeing as I am feeling accelerated, irritable and heavily depressed this antidepressant may be the cause. Because the depression is a result of the Bipolar II Mixed State, I may benefit from only taking the Aripiprazole as a monotherapy and avoiding conventional antidepressant therapies. Time and patience will soon tell.
I was at odds with being labeled as Bipolar. The society at large doesn't shine a very sympathetic light on mental illness. I think I am in a space now where it doesn't matter what label I am stuck with. What matters for me now is to begin feeling better. To spend a day where I feel genuinely happy and pleased to be alive. If being called Bipolar helps me get the help I need so be it. Bring on the wellness!
Take Care Of Yourselves!
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