Too Much SSRI

[aj24]

Hi,
I'm new to this and so I'm not sure if there has been anything on this subject so if there is feel free to redirect me. When I was first put on antidepressants about 6 years ago, when I went on too much of Lexapro my suicidal thoughts increased. Now I am back on the same combination of a low dose of Lexapro and Wellbutrin. It has made things better but not great. My doctor and counselor mentioned that because I had the adverse effects to the higher dose of Lexapro it could mean a mood/personality disorder. Has anyone ever heard of this before? When I start looking into it, it seems like I could have borderline personality disorder, but I'm not really sure. Thanks

[offlineforever]

Firstly welcome to RYL,

Secondly don't try to self diagnose yourself. I have heard that use of SSRI's can sometimes cause issues with mood/personality disorders, but I don't think it is that common.

Thirdly, when this was mentioned to you, what did they actually say? are they trying to investigate it and figure out what is going on with you?

Fourthly, how long where you on these drugs before you where withdrawn, because usually they take 6-8 weeks to settle down and are known to increase suicidal thoughts when people first start taking them.

[aj24]

Thanks..

I'm trying not to self diagnose but it does make me curious.

It was mentioned when I first went back on anti-depressants a few months ago by my doctor. She was wondering why the last time I was on medication I was on such a low dose of Lexapro. I told her it was because of increased suicidal thoughts, and she said, "Well if this doesn't seem to help, it could be that you could have an underlying mood disorder, but we'll see how it goes." Then when I was with my counselor and she asked me why I was on such a low dose of Lexapro and I told her why, and then I said that my doctor had mentioned it could be because of a mood or personality disorder she said, "Ya, I was thinking that too." And she told me to remind my doctor of the suicidal thoughts when I go and see her this coming week because she wasn't sure if she remembered when she had talked to my doctor.

It seemed like it was a common thought that too much of the Lexapro could be a sign of something else. Maybe not and that was more of a convincing factor for her, I really don't know.

I don't remember how long I was on the higher dose of Lexapro, it wasn't 6-8 weeks, I can tell you that, and I had been on Prozac and tried that for a while then the low Lexapro, then the higher Lexapro and that's when the thoughts got really bad. Although, it very well could have just been a coincidence.

[kbeth]

People react differently to SSRI's, and a percentage of people can have the reaction of becoming more suicidal. I don't think there's any way that taking SSRI's could cause a mood/personality disorder. But if you have a personality disorder, SSRI's and other medications can't fix it; only therapy can.

[MrsNutkin]

For sure, discuss your thinking with your Doctor but yes don't diagnose yourself as others have already said.

[brighter]

I can't take any kind of SSRI or Serotonin-based anti depressant due to the fact it makes me more suicidal. This has been the case for 7 years.

My best advice to you is if you are concerned, ask to move to a non-serotonin based anti depressant if possible. There are other kinds out there! And discuss the thoughts with the GP as Syrup wisely said, but try to avoid self-diagnosis. GP's sometimes 'indicate' things in a sort of thinking out loud way that you don't need to really examine- they'll bring it up further if THEY are concerned :)

Just remember, one persons ideal medication is another persons hell. There's no harm in trying other kinds till one suits you :)

p.s. welcome to RYL!

[sherlock holmes]

Suicidal thoughts and worsening of mood are common side effects of SSRIs. It doesnt indicate you have a personality disorder. It just might mean SSRIs don't help you and you need to try a different class of drug.

I take an SNRI (I think) and it helps whereas SSRIs did not.