1. < Depression & Anxiety

I'm not recovering: Could meds be causing suicidal thoughts?

Posted by autumn2025 @autumn2025, May 17 10:57pm

I feel depleted. In my past, I was motivated in trying anything to get better from a deep depression and intense anxiety. Years have gone by... it seems that I feel pretty low at the beginning of the day, and feel even lower by the end of the day. Suicidal thoughts have been present for the past week. I feel useless, replaceable, and very emotional. I have been retrying lamictal and am on the 4th week (50 mg). I see that it can increase suicidal thoughts in some people. How do I know if it's the medication causing them or that my depression has just gotten worse over time?

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autumn2025 | @autumn2025 | May 18 10:43am
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @autumn2025, I'm glad you posted here and that you also contacted 988 You're right that..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @autumn2025, I'm glad you posted here and that you also contacted 988

You're right that some medications intended to help improve anxiety and depression can also have the unwanted side effect of creating suicidal thoughts. This includes Lamictal (lamotrigine). In some people, it can cause new or increased thoughts of suicide or death, new or increased feelings of anxiety, depression, or other unusual changes in mood or behavior and difficulty sleeping.

Please contact your prescribing doctor as soon as possible to discuss what you should do. I realize that today is Sunday and you may not be able to reach your doctor today. You may be able to talk to a pharmacist to find out if Lamictal is interacting with other medications you may be taking and what you can do until you can speak with your doctor.

If you have these unwanted thoughts of suicide again, please contact 988. I know the person you reached last night didn't say much, but you will get a different counsellor the next time you call. It is good to talk.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
– Call or text 988
– Chat with a counsellor at https://988lifeline.org/chat/
Chat is available 24/7 across the U.S. You don't need your phone. You can chat on your computer.

And, of course, we're here on the forum if you want to reach out any time. I hope you were able to get some sleep last night. How are you today?

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I feel raw with emotion and exhausted.

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dianestjohn | @dianestjohn | May 18 11:03am

PLEASE DONT LEAVE US ♥️. I have been there. It is not easy. PLEASE call your doctor or go to the ER now🙏. I have read the comments to you. You have a heck of a lot of people who are here for you, and love and need you. I know, I DO 😘

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dorothy1914 | @dorothy1914 | May 18 12:16pm
In reply to @yeja "i am the same. 25+ years on meds, repeated episodes of deep depression with anxiety and..." + (show)
@yeja

i am the same. 25+ years on meds, repeated episodes of deep depression with anxiety and crying hysterically. same meds venlafaxen, works well until it doesnt. 69 year old female. this week i’ve been in a dark hole no hope

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To @yeja
I feel just like you but I caused my own suffering. I was successfully on Effexor 150 mg for about 40 years and in Jan. of 2024 I stupidly went off of it without proper tapering (I didn’t even know what tapering was). Stopped it at 75 mgs. The withdrawal symptoms didn’t start for about 8 months so I thought I was in the clear. How wrong I was. I became anorexic and was told by doctors I was malnourished. I am eating but I still look like a wrinkled mess. I have permanent heart palpitations, difficulty walking and talking, burning skin, horrible tinnitus, hair loss, and more. My memory is shot. I can’t leave the house. I have medications that won’t be filled by my endocrinologist unless I see him in person.How could I have been so stupid! My husband has been wonderful but he is getting upset with me pleading with him for help. There is no way he can help me. Why didn’t I leave well enough alone. I have never called the suicide hotline as I am concerned they will call the police.

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SusanEllen66 | @SusanEllen66 | May 18 1:04pm
In reply to @autumn2025 "Did that last night. Unfortunately, the person on the otherside of the line didn't say much..." + (show)
@autumn2025

Did that last night. Unfortunately, the person on the otherside of the line didn't say much of anything.

Jump to this post

@autumn2025
I’m glad you reached out. We are here for you. Please feel free to come on here and pour out your heart, if you want to.
We are listening without judgement.

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standinginfaith | @standinginfaith | May 18 5:24pm

We are listening ..and praying for you!! Please stay here with us!! Just because one suicide hotline person was not the right one for you.. they do have others..I said..I've been where you are..and had my 38 out..at least twice.. and called the suicide hotline.. here in Oklahoma.. one was not so good ..one was excellent.. and even called me back the next day to see how I was .. remember "you can't take a bullet back".. (and if you're going to do it some other way.. DON'T do that either.. think things thru.. take a deep breath.. who would find you?.. can they live with that..??) You are one of a kind .. specially made in the image of God by God.. and He has good plans for you..altho you might not see them right now.. breathe deep.. you are OK... you are OK...you are OK!!! Love prayers and hugs!!

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dianestjohn | @dianestjohn | May 19 8:45am

Good morning, how are you ? I have had you on my mind a lot since reading your post yesterday. I am concerned about you, and I, like a lot of other people to reacted to your posting are. In retrospect, I THANK YOU for reaching out and being honest with your feelings and posting them. THAT is a start. PLEASE follow your instincts to survive. You are on the right path.

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depressedbutnotdead | @depressedbutnotdead | May 19 10:18am

Yes! Meds can do this. It happened to me. I nearly followed through. Please get into the hospital now. It's really really important. I wouldn't be here now if I hadn't gotten a prescription change when I did.

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kdalda75 | @kndaustin71 | May 19 11:41am

Some medications can and do worsen depression and suicidal thoughts. Try Daliresp! Took it for one month at the therapeutic dose of 500mcg and was ready to execute my plan.......terrifying experience. quit taking the medication and waited for the half-life and almost felt completely better. Let me just say.......most Pharmacist will not speak with patients due to the possible liability, and most Doctors haven't a clue!

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tiredandthristy | @tiredandthristy | May 19 6:37pm

My experience is that meds may make you more motivated before they make you feel better making it more likely you will follow through with your suicidal thoughts. Remind yourself that these are just thoughts and that you have been well in the past and can be well in the future simply by taking care of yourself and getting the help you need.

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Mentor
Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | May 19 6:46pm

@autumn2025 I’d like to check in with you. How are you feeling? Have you talked with a doctor or a your prescribing doctor?

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