Expert: Ivan Goldberg, M.D. - 7/4/2010

Question
If diagnosed with bipolar and an anxiety disorder, after coming out of an abusive environment, is it possible to go off of medications after dealing with the issues that caused the disorders?

Im currently taking 1000mg of depakote, plus 120mg of geodon a day. I sometimes feel a lot better when I do not take the medications as opposed to when I do take them I feel worse and more out of control. Also why would it be necessary to have me on two different stabilizers?

Is it possible to eventually go off of medications or is that a possibility I should not even think about? The medications are crashing my personal relationships as my boyfriend, feels that I do not need to be on them, and will only stay with me if I go off.

Any advice that I can tell him when Id possible be off so I dont lose the one I love.

Answer
Hi Lorrie . . .

I have a major problem with antipsychotic medications such as Geodon being used for any purpose other than controlling psychosis. This is because any antipsychotic medication can cause tardive dyskinesia and neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Please Google these terms and ask you doctor about these side effects if they have not been explained to you.

People with properly diagnosed bipolar disorder should continue medication as future episodes of the illness may be expected. While one may feel better without medication for a short period of time,eventually there will be future episodes that medication can prevent.

Best regards . . .

Ivan
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