Prescribed Bupropion for GAD?

I have been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder in the past. I have recently started meditation, and it helped a lot, but I also wanted to try out some anxiety medications to see if they would help.

About 6 months ago I had a major depressive episode, I had suicidal ideation etc. It wasn't clinical depression, it was a panicked sort of depression where I desired to die to avoid having to face certain things at the time.

Fast forward to now, my third week on Bupropion, which is what I was prescribed for anxiety. First, I looked into it and this seems to be an off label use of Bupropion, since it is primarily used to treat depression. It seems to have helped with anxiety, but I have been having moments of depression that rival the ones I had 6 months ago. It seems to be variable on a day to day basis, but I have had some suicidal thoughts recently.

Is this a side effect of the Bupropion? It likely is, but does anybody know if these thoughts eventually dissipate with continued use?

Hi there

I have found in the past with antidepressants that I've taken that they've also had a significant effect on my anxiety as well as my depression.

Have you thought about asking your doctor about why they decided to prescribe the bupropion for you instead of somethingi else? If you feel it's making your depression worse and making you suicidal, then it would be a good idea to contact your doctor to discuss it further.

Most antidpressants usually come with a warning about an increased risk of becoming suicidal while taking them. I'm not sure if it can dissipate- the medication I took that made me suicidal it was considered too risky for me to be on it any longer- I didn't feel I could stay safe and the thoughts were pretty extreme. It's definitely something to chat with your doctor about.

Keep safe and take care
Lily

lilyfairy wrote:Hi there

I have found in the past with antidepressants that I've taken that they've also had a significant effect on my anxiety as well as my depression.

Have you thought about asking your doctor about why they decided to prescribe the bupropion for you instead of somethingi else? If you feel it's making your depression worse and making you suicidal, then it would be a good idea to contact your doctor to discuss it further.

Most antidpressants usually come with a warning about an increased risk of becoming suicidal while taking them. I'm not sure if it can dissipate- the medication I took that made me suicidal it was considered too risky for me to be on it any longer- I didn't feel I could stay safe and the thoughts were pretty extreme. It's definitely something to chat with your doctor about.

Keep safe and take care
Lily

Thanks for the reply.

I have a follow up appointment with my doctor in a week or so. It is starting to get worse, today I feel absolutely horrible and hopeless. I keep reminding myself its just the chemicals, I was fine before I started this $#%^.

Do you or anyone else have recommendations for anti-anxiety medication? I think I want to try a medicine specifically designed for treating anxiety, because I don't think I am clinically depressed, I just am prone to existential crisis etc.

You're welcome.

If it's getting worse, are you able to get in to see your doctor sooner? Those feelings are really awful to have to try to cope with.

I don't really have any recommendations for anxiety meds. The thing is that what works me might be terrible for you and vice versa, it really depends on the individual. I would definitely ask if your doctor has any ideas about using an anti anxiety med rather than an antidepressant though.

Take care- stay safe
Lily