Expert: Joyce A. Anthony - 12/27/2007

Question
I am a college student and have been on Lamictal for several months now. My primary issue was with panic attacks and agoraphobia but I also had shades of mania and depression which got worse as my anxiety got worse. I was put on Buspar, Lorazepam, and then soon after Lamictal. I got off Lorazepam and hope to get off Buspar soon.

In terms of bipolar disorder- I would experience racing thoughts and "highs" when my anxiety was lower. And I would also experience lows where I felt down, depressed, and sometimes angry and frustrated.

Lamictal has helped keep me fairly stable in terms of spiking high or low; however, I am starting to feel like I am "stuck" - I'm more stable like I said, but I still feel somewhat depressed (although functioning well) and am never happy. I am always glum and not in a truly good mood. I don't know what to do- because as I said I feel more stable but I still feel depressed.

What do you think? Thank you so much

Answer
Hi Josh:

It sounds as if your Lamictal just needs a bit of "tweaking" where dosage is concerned.  Talk to your med doctor and explain what you are feeling and ask about a dosage adjustment.  I believe it sounds like that is all that will be needed.
                 Joyce A. Anthony