SSRI's and BITCHINESS

[slfcllednowhere]

Is increased irritability a possible side effect of SSRI's? I've been on antidepressants before but never an SSRI. I just started on (the generic of) Celexa and I've been feeling a lot more pissed off about stupid things and I'm wondering if it's related. If it is, what are the chances it would happen with a different SSRI? I keep getting in fights

Comments

[lisalaneland]

It may be too strong of a dose. If you are feeling irritable its probably a form of mania starting to emerge. Be sure to tell your psychiatrist about how ur feeling ASAP. You don't want to risk falling into a full blown mania. Are u taking a mood stabilizer too?

[slfcllednowhere]

The only mood stabilizer that's leveled out my moods is lithium but it leveled them out TOO much--it made me feel like a zombie--so I'm not currently on one. I didn't think I was feeling manicy at all but now that you're suggesting it it's occurred to me that I've spent $300 (out of my $475 for the whole month) in the past week and been sleeping less than I should (though like 5-7 hours instead of like 3). I have not been talking way too much though which is the hallmark symptom for me. Since I haven't had any luck with mood stabilizers my doctor gave me some Zyprexa to take "as needed" cos he thought it would calm me down, maybe I should take it...

[lisalaneland]

which other mood stabilizers have u tried?

[slfcllednowhere]

Depakote, which made me throw up, and Lamictal, which didn't do much of anything.

Tips

[lisalaneland]

1. No caffeine!!
2. Take a time out
3. Call a friend or family member
4. This is the hardest one, but try to think of the consequences of your words and/or actions.

Re: Tips

[slfcllednowhere]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll try to work on these.

Re: Tips

[crys79]

Definitely take deep breaths. When I get angry I also get very anxious and irritable. I will try my "Rescue Remedy" (a homeopathic tincture) and if that doesn't work I'll take an ativan. It might be that you just need a break in the cycle.

[nakedfaery]

Celexa pretty much turned me into Satan. I was incorrectly diagnosed with major depressive disorder while taking it and it caused RAGE. Serious throw things attack people uncontrollable rage. As soon as I saw a psychiatrist who diagnosed me with about a billion different things, including bipolar and borderline, he took me off. He felt that in a lot of bipolar people anti depressants of any kind carry a mania risk and in his experience SSRI's were some of the worst. Likely because compared to other anti depressants they have quite a long half life.

[crys79]

How long have you been on it? Anti-depressants can cause "jittery" feelings when you first are on them. After a few weeks they should chill out. If it lasts a while and it could be causing mania/anxiety you should talk to your doc/pdoc.

[slfcllednowhere]

I've been on it three weeks now and the irritability does seem to have calmed down a bit since I made this post.

[iceblink]

I think it is different for everyone. Contact your doctor. Celexa is just hunky dory for me. However, welbutrin turns me into a satanic bitch.

[lisalaneland]

Agreed, welbutrin sent me into my first manic state.