Posted by med_empowered on February 25, 2006, at 12:09:35
In reply to substitute for APs, posted by nellie7 on February 25, 2006, at 11:09:28
mood-stabilizers *generally* don't have the same "zombie" effect that even low-dose APs can have; however, there is also the question of dosing. Personally, I found Trileptal (600-900mgs/day) to be pretty good for helping out, although it didn't do much for **Intense** anxiety (it reduced my overall anxiety levels, though). It also has a mild antidepressant effect. You might want to try a benzo; they can actually help with depression, especially xanax...klonopin helps stabilize mood, and ativan can get rid of anxiety w/o affecting mood all that much.
Other than that...there's Buspar (not great, but might help), AD-AD combos (ex: "California Rocketfuel," remeron and effexor) and other mood stabilizers like Lamictal (apparently good for depression) and Lithium (low-doses might not be *too* terrible).
Good luck!
poster:med_empowered
thread:613072
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060219/msgs/613093.html