Drug treatment for mood swings and emotional instability

Certain types of psychotherapy can be very effective (e.g. CBT, ACT), but when you're dealing with hormone-induced mood changes on top of cancer, it's a double whammy. Perhaps short-term bridge use of an SSRI (or similar) could give you the extra boost you need to get over the hump so that you can make effective use of CBT/ADT/mindfulness/etc. There's also some study of using estrogen patches while on ADT, which could (?) help the mood swings: it might be worth asking your oncologist if that would apply in your situation.

Best of luck!

Your thoughts reflect mine. Generally looking for medicine to "take the edge of" so I can better utilize by CBT experience. Have reached out to my oncologist. Thank you

Many people have depression from taking ADT drugs, along with the fact that their prostate cancer has been diagnosed.

People have reported at different times that one of these drugs have helped. Wellbutrin, Zoloft, Effexor. The drug gave a whole new meaning and view on life.

Usually, you have to see a psychiatrist to get drugs like this, but a PCP might be able to help.

I am currently on ADT, I take 10mg of Buspirone, twice a day, it levels out my mood swings. Does not interact with any ADT drugs. Been using for 9 days now. My internal medicine doctor prescribed this when I was first diagnosed with PC last year.

Correction: Meant to say 9 months

I was on ADT for 12 months post radiation treatment became mildly depressed and had an exacerbation of my chronic arthritic joint pain. I was prescribed Cymbalta and it was highly effective, including suppression of hot flashes and mild sweats.

They you all for the input. I am following up with a psychiatrist, but having all this information is helpful in my discussions.

Cymbalta (duloxetine) per Karolinska Institute (SNRI) improves cognition also.

I'm 76 years old and have been taking psych meds and counseling for 30 years now. Each human being is unique in physical and emotional make-up. What can totally disrupt one person's life may have little or no effect on another.

A psychiatrist is a good idea. There are many psych meds. Many mental health clinics will want you to take counseling if you take a psych med. The value of counseling is that an understanding of stress, depression, and anxiety helps us cope better, and we may not need psych drugs. Or you and your doctor might decide that just the med will be fine. It depends on how you deal with stress/anxiety/depression.

The bottom line is that if your anxiety/depression is ruining the quality of your life, you don't have to suffer.

Thank you. I have been in counseling for 2 years, but feel that I could benefit from the right medication. I am following up with a psychiatrist. Best to you.