I Became Irritable And Agitated On My Antidepressant. My Doctor Believes I Have Become “hypomanic.”what Does That Mean?
Manic-depressive disorder, or bipolar disorder, can only be diagnosed if someone has a history of at least one manic (bipolar I) or hypomanic (bipolar II) episode. Sometimes, a person’s first episode of a mood disorder is that of depression; therefore a possibility exists of a depressed individual really having bipolar disorder. The likelihood of this occurring increases if there is a family history of bipolar disorder. If a person with depression actually has bipolar disorder, an anti-depressant may trigger the onset of a hypomanic or manic mood state. This is why bipolar depressed per-sons usually require a mood stabilizer when taking an antidepressant.
Becoming irritable or agitated on an antidepressant, however, is not diagnostic of a manic episode. These are not uncommon side effects that can occur in non– bipolar depressed persons. If you become agitated after starting an antidepressant, your doctor will want to stop the antidepressant. Further inquiry into past personal and family history of past hypomanic or manic episodes should occur. Once the antidepressant is stopped, your agitation should resolve. If it does not, then bipolar disorder is more likely present. If resolved, another antidepressant can be tried, because the agitation will not necessarily occur with another medication. If it does occur again, then a mood stabilizer may be necessary in conjunction with an antidepressant.