can fluoxetine cause cyclothymia?

previous to starting the prozac and abilify, i had always thought i just had clinical depression. after a another depressive episode I was put back on antidepressants (prozac) which then led to hugely rapid mood swings. within one day i could cycle between moderate mania to moderate/severe depression, sometimes cycling 2 or 3 times making me absolutely exhausted. The swings were getting too destructive so I went to a psychiatrist who told me I had cyclothymia and put me onto the abilify which I am currently raising the dosage of.
Previous to the prozac I never had these swings. My depressive episodes usually last between 3 weeks and 2 months and will result in some sort of suuicide attempt or self-harm. I believe I've had several hypomanic episodes of the same length after doing some research. I'll go for about 2 months without much sleep, be doing a million different things, taking a million different exams, getting the highest grades without revising, and going out way too much. I will be very energetic, often speaking very fast having racing thoughts and saying profound things which other people think is just me being funny.

Do you think the prozac has made me cyclothymic? I'm being taken off it, but we won't really be able to tell because the abilify is working quite well for me and the dose will be going up. (I'm 16 by the way, just for background info)

YES SSRIs like Lexapro, Prozac, Paxil, etc can cause hypomanic episodes. Absolutely.

I've always been lead to believe that any antidepressant on its own can cause unsteady mood changes in those with bipolar, and lets not forget that they can also cause suicidal feelings (even in depression) especially within the first two weeks. your doctor should inform you of these risks beforehand.

Im on mood stabilizers that my pdoc wanted me on before he started prozac (fluxentine) to be safe in case they sent my manic...... (iam bp2 rapid cycler).....

I would mention this to your doc next time u go that u are finding this with your meds.....

I've been where you are! I wasn't diagnosed with cyclothymia until I was 43! I was on a quit smoking drug called Chantix. I, like you, jumped on the hypomanic train. The fine print said do not take this if you are manic depressive, may cause hypomanic episodes. Like your antidepressant, the fluoxetine... You get all manicky... Require little sleep, thoughts racing, mouth can't keep up, creativity heightened, cyberchondria? high irritability, perhaps outbursts and fits of rage? Loss of appetite? My psychiatrist explained that fluoxetine kicks you into a hypomanic state and the symptoms of your condition get extreme. You need a mood stabilizer like lithium carbonate to balance it out (the SSRI). I know that every person reacts differently to medication. For me, the med cocktail that has transformed my life is lithium, wellbutrin, xanax and lamictal. It may seem completely terrifying at 16 to wrestle with this "label" this mood/personality disorder... You're sooo fortunate to find out young so that you can learn all about our disorder, how to manage, cope, and live with the symptoms. You have the opportunity to lead a relatively normal life. Shoot! This disorder, untreated, is devastating to one's self-esteem, your relationships, your lousy track record at work.... Our symptoms are mild so you can fly right under the radar, like I did, and never know you have this disorder that explains your spooky mood swings and "artistic temperament.". Always remember... Don't allow the disorder to define you, and overly impact your identity... the symptoms are treatable with the right combo of meds just for you. If you don't feel good with your present psych doc, get another one who's a brilliant chemist. Your brain is deficient in lithium.... Isn't that way more comforting than living with the belief about yourself that youʻre temperamental and difficult to work with? I went all my life self-medicating with alcohol, marijuana and cigarettes. You don't have to go this route!! With early detection, you have a fighting chance of getting a handle on the symptoms. Journal about what triggers set you off and learn/apply strategies to avoid those triggers. Try to establish a set routine everyday and follow it. Learn all you can about our disorder... "knowledge is power." I was moved to tears when I read today about Catherine Zeta-Jones speaking out about her struggle with bipolar II... Millions of people deal with the spectrum of manic-depressive disorders and never get treated or even know they have a condition. Hopefully her brave and courageous statement will inspire many more to seek help My doc said genetics are a major factor for developing all forms of bipolar, so the Prozac would not CAUSE cyclothymia... Look back in your family tree, both sides, and you'll most likely see it in your family history. All the best to you on your journey...
Be well and fight to keep your joy and enthusiasm for life!!!

brilliant post, thankyou! In terms of a diganosis, we got something completely unexpected! Because I'm so young they don't like to give a dignosis but say that I am showing borderline and histrionic personality traits. It seems to explain everything that has been going on my whole life. The short mood swings, the depression, the unstable relationships, my switching in black and white views, being over-dramatic, my expansive way of speaking etc.

I'm hoping I have the strength to carry on the right path now I'm out of the in-patient unit. It all gets too much and I become absolutely ready to give in. This is what I'm afraid of and what is probably making things difficult.

Ditto to all prior.

Meds don't cause the illness. Meds can exacerbate the illness and amplify the symptoms.

Agitation and irritability can be Borderline/Histrionic symptoms, or they can pop out during depressive/hypomanic episodes - hallmarks of Bipolar illness. Cyclothymia is a baby form of the illness, however still difficult to live and deal with. Then there is BP2 and BP. And you can rapid cycle - which isn't the same as cyclothymia, especially when your meds aren't right, e.g. Prozac.

Sounds like you are very involved in managing your mood and so is your doc.

Good move to watch, report and change up!!

I had a brilliant psychologist suggest I was at least cyclothymic years ago, referred me to a Psychiatrist who felt I was only major depressive and prescribed Prozac. Fairly new to the market. Caught the depressive piece of the illness in my early 20's and at least treated for that. Prozac not well known for exacerbating bipolarity at the time. I was fortunate in that it did not cause me greater problems so I would medicate when i felt a depressive episode coming on and then back off when the depression was gone. Had been mood swinging for years, very much like you describe your experience - hey that's normal right? It was normal for me anywho.

Now I have a brilliant therapist and a really good psychiatrist who watched me closely as I started treatment for suspected Bipolar 2- they both felt this was the problem but wanted to start treatment slowly - If I Could Tolerate the depression and mood swings for just a bit longer - Hoping to get a proper diagnosis based on my response to mood stabilizers.

Well - I am off the Prozac this week, first time in years. I have been working on healing for 5 months now, slowly so as to not set off another intense episode on either side of the spectrum. The mood stabilizer is agreeing with me. And, I am using Wellbutrin now, and the swings and sleep patterns are lessening every day. My reserves of emotional energy are renewing slowly.

Hope my story helps you. Hope for hope.

Light and Love.

Dear Kate123,
I canʻt imagine the horrific road youʻve traveled at such a young age. You can do this!!! Never never never give up! The great mountains you climb now are strengthening you within so that you can not only live with your condition, but learn to harness the gifts within you, the brilliance and unique personality youʻve been born with, and make a significant difference in this world. Your life will be a testimony and an inspiration to other teens who are walking through the same refining fire!! I love love love what Aphrodite shared!! Not only deep insights through her own journey... but the hope, love, and light that sustains us all and gives us the courage to face a brand new day with a brave new hope! Itʻs comforting to know weʻre not alone, yeah? Strength and courage!!