Is there a possibility that I have bipolar disorder?
 

I am a new member here, I am a 15 year old boy. I am currently diagnosed with Tourretes and ADHD, for which I have been taking Abilify for, for about 3-4 years. A week ago I was really angry about my weight from taking Abilify and I stopped taking it for 4 days, the first 3 days went fine, no tics, felt positive, had thoughts about trying to do schoolwork and actually wanting to make progress educationally (which currently is not going anywhere for me). On the 3rd-4th day some little thing happened that would normally just annoy me. This time when that something happened I didn't have tics as much as just anger, arguing with my family, punching holes in the wall of my room. After that I was severely depressed, I was saying stuff like "I'm worthless" or "No one likes me" so when that happened I started taking Abilify again. The next day I had more depression and the same thing repeated. After a bit of this I went with my father to the emergency room at a hospital and I talked with a psychiatric nurse there and she suggested I take a sleeping medication, which I did and then went to sleep when I got home. I have been feeling better since this morning.

What I am wondering is, could it be possible I have bipolar disorder and that it was never brought to attention because I have tourretes and am taking Abilify for it. Could the Abilify have been treating this in addition to tourretes and when I stopped taking it this came up? These occurrences sort of caught me by surprise.

Hi,

Yes. You might have bipolar and the Abilify might have been treating it.
But there could be other reasons for what happened.
Stay on the medication and go to a psychiatrist for diagnosis.
Many people who are initially diagnosed with ADHD find out that they have bipolar instead.

That's good that your father took you to the hospital.




Mari

Welcome to the forum and I 2nd what Mari said.

barbara

I agree with Mari and befuddled2. I take abilify and it helps me so much. It's not unheard of to have co-ocurring disorders like Tourettes and Bipolar, but from what you said about how you felt depressed after being angry it sounds like rapid cycling to me as I understand it to be. I would definitely keep taking it and get into see a professional and ask about a BP diagnosis. They can help you if that is what's going on. Good luck and feel free to post with us anytime adnank. Welcome to Neurotalk!

There are warnings
 

about stopping Abilify suddenly.

I am concerned by your post. It does not say you are here with the approval of your parents. And it implies you stopped your Abilify without their consent.

This drug is very sophisticated. It affects many receptors in the brain, and like other drugs for mental illness, can cause a serious change in the way your brain works. Sudden removal of drugs then cause a "withdrawal" syndrome because all of the receptors have to adjust to the changes.

Psychiatric drugs typically are tapered off, to prevent reactions.
Your reactions have been documented on the net a bit.
But because Abilify is relatively new, and just now becoming more widespread and popular, the issues of discontinuing are just emerging.
http://bipolar-disorder.emedtv.com/a...ithdrawal.html

I hope you consult your doctor ASAP and discuss your concerns with this drug. Then if you choose to stop using it, you will safely taper off of it.

You sounds like you are stuggling. It must be frustrating to go through things. I hope you and your doctor get to the bottom of this :) Please becareful when you stop taking your meds. It is dangerous to do that.

Take care I hope things go well.:hug: