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by itcheeze 2531 days ago
I'm inclined to agree. That being said, having been prescribed zyprexa for type 1 bipolar, anything that leads treatment away from the standard trope of what in my opinion is nothing other than a strong off-label tranquilizer for these symptoms is a positive thing in some regard.
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I wonder if Wellbutrin/Zyban/bupropion is underutilized. It's well known that people with chronic mental illness, particularly schizophrenia, tend to smoke, as it seems like nicotine helps somehow. So I wonder if a "quit-smoking" drug is really a good treatment, because it enhances the sensitivity of the brain to whatever normally stimulates those receptors.

However, I know a lot of times this and similar drugs seem to stimulate impulsive, almost manic behavior when they are first started. A family member of an acquaintance took Chantix to quit smoking and nearly wrecked his life through uncharacteristically reckless behavior.

Anything is possible I guess.

It's amazing what medicine can and cannot do. While it's great to think that medicine and diet and exercise arranged in some unique fashion will place Schizophrenia/Bipolar into remission, there are an incredible number of variables in play in mental health and physical health overall, and they seem to vary in everyone.

So I take most of these articles with a huge grain of salt. Perhaps this is a nudge in the right direction, and maybe it will encourage further research into diet and mental illness. Personally I would support this as I'm far from enthusiastic concerning psych meds in general, but unfortunately they're the best we have it seems.

And yes, if you have had manic episodes, taking an anti-depressant should be done with care. Actually I would suggest doing everything possible and would recommend using any psych medication as a last resort for any health related situation.