Hi and advice needed!

Hi,
Just a quick hello from me.
I'm 41 and currently surviving bipolar 2 and bpd with some ADHD etc thrown in.

I'm struggling right now with many things but the most troubling issue is this...I am super intelligent and obsessive with my research and development projects but to be a much nicer mannered person, I have to take citalopram. Problem is this, If I take 20mg I'm only 80% sharp at critical thinking, if I take 40mg I am a nice, very compliant zombie who just nods at the right cues.
I can't take any of the antipsychotic meds as I get allergic to them so I'm stuck with citalopram.

How the heck do I stay sharp and nice at the same time?

To clarify, I'm not abusive, violent etc just a tad harsh and abrupt.

Thank you for reading,

M

Hi and a warm welcome to the forum from me! I'm sorry you're struggling with a lot of stuff right now. As for the Citalopram, are you taking it without any other medications? As far as I understand it, it's not recommended that those with bipolar take antidepressants without at least a mood stabiliser (and sometimes an antipsychotic, too) on board, as they can trigger (hypo)mania and more mood cycling.

I've only ever taken a small dose of Citalopram alongside my mood stabiliser, Carbamazepine/Tegretol, to combat bipolar depression, though I don't remember it making me less sharp. It just slowly treated the depression without sending me high.

I'm no expert but it sounds as if it'd be a good idea to discuss your meds with a psychiatrist, and perhaps to consider adding a mood stabiliser if you're not already on one. Good luck, and hopefully someone with similar issues with Citalopram will weigh in and give you advice.