A few years ago, my daughter went through all of the SSRI's and had side effects, including disinhibition, twitching, stomach ache, probably more. I thought we would not be able to use them. However, last year, we started her on a tiny amount of Lexapro (2.5 mg) and kept her there for months. We might have even started at 1.25 mg for a week or two. Slowly, we have increased her to 10 mg. So far, I haven't noticed any side effects. So I wouldn't rule out SSRI's completely forever. Maybe, like others have said, if she is on a mood stabilizer, that will help.
My daughter's main psychiatric problem now is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). In the past, she has displayed hyperactivity and raging. One psychiatrist told me she would end up with a bipolar diagnosis and another one did diagnosis her with mood disorder-not otherwise specified. Still, she is able to take an SSRI without a mood stabilizer, so probably she isn't bipolar. She hasn't raged in a long time and is no longer so sensitive about any perceived criticism. One psychiatrist told me they thought her anxiety was causing her hyperactivity and her ADHD type symptoms.
She has also struggled with getting to sleep in the past. She is now taking Remeron to help with her sleep and to help her gain weight. She went through a time of having no appetite and was too skinny. The Remeron caused her to gain 12 lbs pretty quickly.
I think my daughter has a sort of eating disorder, too. She has been told by her doctor that she needs to eat meat to help her health. She has a constant headache. She is a committed vegetarian and will not do it, even when she is told her health might depend on it. As a non-vegetarian, I feel it is disorderd to stick with a diet when a doctor tells you to change it. She has an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) thing about animals so that is why I think her vegetarianism is all wrapped up with her Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). In my reading of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), I have noticed that eating disorders are thought to be related to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder.
So I guess my point is not everything that looks like bipolar is bipolar and I would tell the doctor about your SSRI experiences but not tell him you won't consider it. A lot of your daughter's problems could be stemming from anxiety and if you rule out SSRI's and anxiety medications, you might be too limiting.
My daughter's main psychiatric problem now is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). In the past, she has displayed hyperactivity and raging. One psychiatrist told me she would end up with a bipolar diagnosis and another one did diagnosis her with mood disorder-not otherwise specified. Still, she is able to take an SSRI without a mood stabilizer, so probably she isn't bipolar. She hasn't raged in a long time and is no longer so sensitive about any perceived criticism. One psychiatrist told me they thought her anxiety was causing her hyperactivity and her ADHD type symptoms.
She has also struggled with getting to sleep in the past. She is now taking Remeron to help with her sleep and to help her gain weight. She went through a time of having no appetite and was too skinny. The Remeron caused her to gain 12 lbs pretty quickly.
I think my daughter has a sort of eating disorder, too. She has been told by her doctor that she needs to eat meat to help her health. She has a constant headache. She is a committed vegetarian and will not do it, even when she is told her health might depend on it. As a non-vegetarian, I feel it is disorderd to stick with a diet when a doctor tells you to change it. She has an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) thing about animals so that is why I think her vegetarianism is all wrapped up with her Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). In my reading of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), I have noticed that eating disorders are thought to be related to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder.
So I guess my point is not everything that looks like bipolar is bipolar and I would tell the doctor about your SSRI experiences but not tell him you won't consider it. A lot of your daughter's problems could be stemming from anxiety and if you rule out SSRI's and anxiety medications, you might be too limiting.