Changing Diagnosis

[paranoid_cataclysm]

Yeah so I was wondering, if my diagnosis, which seems to change constantly because apparently I'm like a square peg trying to fit in a round hole, changes from schizophrenia to bipolar disorder, will they potentially mess with my medication regimen and get rid of my antipsychotic in favor of a mood stabilizer?  I'm scared to death of this prospect, perhaps I'm just being too paranoid as my username hints at, but right before I took antipsychotics I was staring for hours at walls while shadow people shambled up and stopped to stare at me and I thought people in cars were working together to try to kill me just because they were driving in certain ways.

[paranoid_cataclysm]

Yeah I think I'm as stable as it's going to get.  We recently switched my medication to taking it in the morning as per the doctor's recommendation and no one notices a difference but I think I'm able to think more clearly and be more extroverted.  I never really cycle between highs and lows and I especially never have emotional highs so I think a mood stabilizer would be needless.  I was prescribed an antidepressant however for anxiety, which I didn't even know could be done until it was done for me, alongside my antipsychotic for psychosis.

[Anneinside]

They probably will add a mood stabilizer but not necessarily remove your antipsychotic as you are sometimes psychotic (hallucinations).

[lindahand]

If you go on Lamotrigine it is pretty weight neutral. It may increase fatigue, at least temporarily. If you aren't stable it may be worth a shot to see if it helps. If you are stable, fight not to get meds changed.

[paranoid_cataclysm]

That's another thing I'm worried about is them adding a mood stabilizer because I already gained weight from Abilify and I don't feel like dealing with more side effects.  Hopefully my previous psychiatric records help them realize they don't need to do anything except maybe tweak the doses of the meds I take already.

[Amy4891]

I am on an antipsychotic as well. I don't think they will take that away they will probably just add a mood stabilizer.

[lindahand]

Bipolar disorder is often treated with antipsychotics. More likely they would add a stabilizer but keep the AP's on board too if you get worse. If you are stable they will likely stay the course. I take both.