Drug treatment for mood swings and emotional instability

Posted by howier @howier, Jul 9 8:35am

Has anyone tried drug treatment ( mood stabilizers or anti-depressants) for extreme mood swings and/or emotional instability? I’ve tried psychotherapy, not very effective. These mood swings can be difficult on a relationship.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.

itisme62 | @itisme62 | Jul 10 12:56pm

Started Thermella by Bonafide three days ago. It’s a natural supplement. Already noticed fewer and less intense hot flashes. No changes in mood control yet. Will give it 3 months before drawing final conclusion. There are other brands that apparently just as effective or better.

surftohealth88 | @surftohealth88 | Jul 10 1:57pm

In reply to @thmssllvn "Cymbalta (duloxetine) per Karolinska Institute (SNRI) improves cognition also." + (show)

My sister and her husband took low doses of Cymbalta as well as some of their friends on several occasions during some tough times and they all had great results. The effect was immediate and stopping taking pills was a non issue. This medication covered both depression and anxiety part. Cymbalta was prescribed by general practitioner in all of these cases.
Everybody is different but it seems that this medication helped a lot of different people. With any medication it is the best to start with the lowest does and see how it goes and adjust level IF needed.

I personally never took any anti-depressants but I think that additional suffering in situations like this (having a cancer) is absolutely unnecessary. Please do not look at this class of medications as something that represents weakness - you are just trying to adjust brain chemistry the same way one tries to adjust glucose metabolism chemistry when needed. If you never had depression before a cancer diagnosis, I do not think that you need a psychiatrist but probably somebody that is more on a line of being psychologist and /or therapist.

Yes, there are MANY natural ways to combat depression and anxiety but if person is overwhelmed and can not even function, than short period of time of taking a mild anti-depressant can give that person an initial boost and help him/her with coping and finding balance and after that one can find alternative ways of coping.

Wishing everybody good mental health and healing on every level < 3

howier | @howier | Jul 10 4:16pm

In reply to @surftohealth88 "My sister and her husband took low doses of Cymbalta as well as some of their..." + (show)

Thank you for your thoughtful comments. Cymbalta is certainly on my list.

northoftheborder | @northoftheborder | Jul 10 7:54pm

In reply to @markstyles "I'm 76 years old and have been taking psych meds and counseling for 30 years now...." + (show)

Great points. And just like with cancer, often it's not a single approach but a combination that finally gets a mood disorder under control. It often takes a few tries to find the combination that works for you.