[msrenee]

I've been tried on lithium and lamotrigine for treatment-resistant depression in the past. It doesn't necessarily indicate bipolar disorder.

I'm floored by the combo of modafinil and xanax. Adding pramipexole to the mix seems insane to me. I'm prescribed modafinil for narcolepsy and depending in the dose, it can sure make you look hypomanic just taken by itself. I had a very productive month after having to go off armodafinil for 2 weeks prior to a sleep study. My exhausted self didn't even think to taper back up to the old dose and went straight back to 250mg. My psych initially diagnosed it as hypomania. Turned out it was just way too high of a dose after losing my tolerance.

I'm no psych, but those 3 meds prescribed together seem like borderline malpractice to me.

[runnerup]

Amphetamine and Modafinil have also caused these types of behavior in myself but none moreso than Methylphenidate.

Everyone responds to drugs differently, for me cocaine was relatively mild in its compulsive/forced behaviors compared to methylphenidate.

Compulsion from methylphenidate nearly ruined my life, I’m lucky to have rebuilt somewhat unscathed. I still take Vyvanse every day though, and for the most part the compulsive behaviors aren’t too destructive.

It’s difficult for me to moralize about these because they really do transform so many peoples lives to allow them to function and achieve, but they can be very hazardous in a particularly sinister way.

[hirvi74]

> Amphetamine and Modafinil have also caused these types of behavior in myself but none moreso than Methylphenidate.

Why is this the case?

I too have been legally prescribed such substances for medical reasons, and I have some of the same issues. The medications do help alleviate some symptoms, but during the initial ramp-up (like shortly after ingestion) I have worse symptoms for about an hour or so. Some of which occasionally include compulsive behaviors.

[tbalsam]

Very good points, it's scary to me that psychs with access to medications like these (and public trust too) can so casually make what seems to be such an incredibly dangerous decision, but I guess every system will have its bell curve outliers (though I feel many of us suspect that we feel that the tail is much bigger than we would want it to be....)

I have a private pay psychiatrist who is pretty good, something I need because I have a number of conditions and good polypharmacy is possible but hard. I trust him, but I also have a sinking feeling in my gut wondering about how the people going to the psychiatrists/etc that I saw before him are going to be treated. If I'm not in that patient slot, someone else likely will be.

I guess that's one motivator for such rigidity in prescribing medications on some sides of the field. As a lesser sin to prevent this sort of particular madness.