Bipolar Disorder QA: SSRI Induced or True Bipolar?
Maura asks…
Hi Dr. Fink. My husband of 30 years has just been diagnosed “possible Lexapro-induced hypomania/possible true BPD” After a very difficult and abusive childhood with alcoholic parents, he has been seasonally depressed as long as I have known him. Usually starting around November, and not clearing until late spring.
Although fully functional, he was having somatic complaints and once, an episode of chest pain severe enough to take himself to the hospital for evaluation. Two years ago, he agreed to begin treatment with our family PMD for his depression and did EXTREMELY well mentally on Zoloft 150 mg. He stayed on Zoloft for a year but reluctantly changed to Lexapro 20 mg. qd, due to severe, unremitting heartburn with the Zoloft.



