Posted by Maximus on September 5, 2004, at 11:31:08
In reply to Can Lithium CAUSE anxiety???, posted by CindyLou on September 5, 2004, at 10:23:01
Hi,
It seems to be very rare. But in my case, yes, it does cause anxiety.
But we know that Lithium does potentiate an antidepressant. You take Prozac... Moreover we do know that Lithium regulates the catecholamines in the brain. A little bit more norepeniphrine and dopamine here and there may trigger anxiety.
But in your case i would be inclined to think that is not negative. You seem to get from your combo of meds a very good antidepressive response. Perhaps you could take a little more Klonopin or simply ask to your pdoc to add a tiny dose of atypical antipsychotic such as Zyprexa or Seroquel.
Finally, there are so many mechanisms of action (i spare you the details) and interactions involving the lithium that we can not be sure at 100% why it does cause anxiety.
poster:Maximus
thread:386641
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040904/msgs/386668.html