Escitalopram for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews

• Scj...
• July 16, 2013

Escitalopram "I have been severely bipolar since I can remember. My emotions controlled me instead of the other way around my whole life. It's tough to convey my struggles in a short quip. I am on 20mg of Lexapro and for the first time in my life (34 yrs) I feel normal. I take it before bed with Unisom. My life has changed drastically in one month. I went from drinking and drugs 2-4 times a week to waking up at 7 and keeping a schedule. I notice and feel a huge difference in my thoughts, not racing. I noticed that symptom gone immediately. Mood swings, gone. Depression, still shows itself but more moments of peace and clarity. I am a happy gal."

• Joh...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 22, 2013

Escitalopram "This is the only medication that has really helped me. I am able to concentrate much better. I have no problems with losing my temper. I have no panic attacks anymore. My moods alternate within a smaller interval without intense manias or deep depression. This has been true now for 5 years."

• Nic...
• April 10, 2013

Escitalopram "I wanted to give this medication a go, but was pretty scared at the same time. The reason for that was because I had used Zoloft (another antidepressant medication in the same class) before with severe anxious mixed manic psychosis. Me and my doctor agreed to be very careful and increase the dosage in small steps. What happens? It brings me complete depression relief and improves all of my anxiety (social anxiety in particular). In the beginning, there were some sleep disturbances and initial anxiety, but it subsided quickly. It began to work very fast for me, but maybe it took about 6 months before full effects had come into play. I've never had any episode since then, and no sign of overstimulation either. Great experience!"

• Mr ...
• April 24, 2016

"I have been taking Lamotrigine and have started on escitalopram for bipolar 2. What an amazing turnaround. Where I used to be extremely reactive and explode into a rage at any little thing, I now feel calm and at peace with the world. I have actually started to feel happy. I always suffered from hypo-sexuality, and it was so exhausting to be fighting with sexual thoughts and tension constantly. It's such a relief that since being on escitalopram, this too has stopped. I now see everything from a much more rational perspective. I've even begun to really 'feel' in love with my wife. Sure, its one big drawback is that it is an orgasm killer, but I'm finding this is a small price to pay compared to all the benefits. It's given me my life back."

• Anonymous
• April 13, 2012

Escitalopram "I have had bipolar since I was 10 years old, and Lexapro is the only medicine that helps me. If it wasn't for Lexapro, I wouldn't have my three wonderful kids and a good man in my life. I'm only 22, and out of the 12 years I've been taking medicines, Lexapro is the only one that has helped me. The other ones make me meaner than being off my medicines."

• Anonymous
• October 22, 2010

Escitalopram "My first psychiatrist misdiagnosed me with depression, panic disorder, and anxiety disorder and put me on Lexapro. He continued to increase the Lexapro amount from 20 mg/day up to 60 mg/day. Great for depression; however, as I said, I was misdiagnosed and I'm bipolar. The Lexapro triggered a manic episode. The episode also was extremely severe, and my new psychiatrist diagnosed me correctly, took me off the Lexapro, and indicated that this class of drugs can amplify bipolar issues, particularly at the high level I was on. It nearly cost me everything because of the severe manic episode."

• Anonymous
• October 28, 2010

Escitalopram "Lexapro has helped me in a lot of ways. Maybe because I paired it with a mood stabilizer... I don't know. I feel numb a lot of the time, but I have found that I am calmer and respond better than I used to in certain situations I couldn't face before. It has also controlled my appetite, and I don't feel like stuffing my face all the time, like I used to. My only complaint is that it makes it hard to sleep sometimes, and I am very addicted to it. If I go over 24 hours without taking it, my skin starts to crawl and my mind starts to race. But, hey, being on Lexapro is the only thing that works for my bipolar disorder. And those who have bipolar disorder, like me, know what living with it is like. Pretty awful."

• tha...
• July 27, 2019

"After battling anxiety and depression since childhood (recently diagnosed as bipolar II), and trying countless drugs as therapy, Lexapro is the first to have such a profound effect on me. I feel like myself, and not just every now and then, but every day. Things that would have thrown me for a loop of overthinking in the past no longer do, I can rationalize and talk myself out of negative thinking, and I'm not constantly spiraling. I feel like I have my life back thanks to this miracle of a medicine. I recently applied and got accepted for my dream job, am moving to my dream city, and am handling it like I've wanted to but never could. Finding the right medication is a journey and can be such a frustration, but stick with it because when you do, it helps so much. Also, my only downside thus far (I have been taking it for 3 weeks now) is that I am very sleepy."

• Anonymous
• February 24, 2009

Escitalopram "I'm 27 years old and have been on Lexapro for about 2 1/2 years now. It has really saved my life. I fought depression and anger problems for most of my life. I tried all kinds of other medicines, and nothing helped. I went through a really bad divorce about three years ago and got very depressed. I never really knew how I was treating people until I started taking Lexapro and getting better. I felt good about my life. Lexapro saved my life when I thought there was hope. I'm so thankful. The only side effect I've had is a little weight gain. I don't like the weight gain, but I wouldn't give up Lexapro for anything."

• Twi...
• August 26, 2018

"This drug caused me one of the worst times of my life. While it seemed good at first, and I thought it was, people began to see a difference in me. The difference was I entered the manic phase, which lasted for months. It caused me quite a few friendships, my life savings, and nearly had me jailed. I have now been off of Lexapro for several months and am trying to piece my life back together...if it ever happens. Taking this med led to a living nightmare."

• anx...
• January 10, 2011

Escitalopram "Anxiety City update last comment 9 December, now it's a month on 10 January. Think I'm adjusting well on Lexapro, but I'm only on 5mg. Seeing specialist regularly to get the right level, not going up higher dose, as 5mg is good. I feel no different, just don't get so angry, stressed, manic, overwhelmed. Still got some social anxiety to sort, but the doctor didn't say it was a magic pill. I'm managing a healthy diet and starting to work out again, and alcoholic benders are now a bad memory, as the Lexapro is helping me to not binge on food or drink. Only have a couple of drinks with waters in between socially, so all good. Doing the best I can, always room for improvement, being less critical within and hoping I'll adjust 100%."

• dre...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 19, 2019

"This (escitalopram) is the third drug I tried for anxiety and depression before I was diagnosed with bipolar II. I feel like myself. I no longer overthink minor setbacks or inconveniences and have an easier time managing stress. I’ve been taking Lexapro for two years. I tried other mood stabilizers in conjunction but stopped as they didn’t help. Side effects: I get very tired early evening always and experienced nausea the first few months."

• ran...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 7, 2017

"I took Lexapro for 10 years. Yes, it helps with depression, but my vision became impaired. I have had three unexplained strokes. I had an inflamed bladder on a regular basis. I had unbelievable weight gain. I forgot how to use simple household appliances. I have been off Lexapro for over 8 months now, and I have lost 65 lbs, and most of the other issues have cleared up. I didn't realize what was causing all these issues I was having until I came off this drug. On the upside, while I was taking Lexapro, I didn't care."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2018

"I am bipolar and manic-depressive. I generally drink to keep my mood swings level. I’ve been on Escitalopram for over a month, which has been rough. I'm drowsy and started noticing that instead of holding in any aggression, I just immediately snap. Mood swings did shift away, and I’m finally focused in life and calmer each day. I am pretty much the same person, just now generally chill. It’s been a life changer and has helped me and my fellow employees, lol. However, low libido has been terrible. I feel numb a lot, but that does improve, and it will be worth it! Also, the dreams are crazy and super intense. Best of luck to you, lucid or active dreamers, you are in for it!"

• Mor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 27, 2020

"I've been on escitalopram for a month now, and I can't explain it, I just feel so... okay. I'm bipolar type II, and before starting therapy and the meds, I used to deeply love or hate myself. I used to think I was amazing, beautiful, great at everything, and then the hypomania would pass, entering the depression and hating myself for being rude to others, arrogant, talking too much, believing that was me. Anyway, the drug made me nauseous and sleepy for the first week, but after that, I'm really happy with it. I'm calmer, I'm stable, and I feel in control of my life and emotions for the first time ever. The only negative point in my experience is that it makes me drunk way faster, but since I only drink occasionally and with friends, it isn't a huge problem."

• Tru...
• January 16, 2010

Escitalopram "I'm a 28-year-old male. I was always depressed every day and hating everything in the world. My girlfriend forced me to get help, so the doctor put me on Lexapro 10 mg. This is my third day on it. I have to say I feel better. The only side effects I am having are stomach pains, sweating, and feeling very tired. But I am feeling more positive about things now. I am just shocked how fast it has helped me. The only setback about this pill is not being able to orgasm. I would recommend this pill to anybody that is depressed all the time."

• mah...
• March 15, 2011

Escitalopram "Lexapro made me feel good. I was able to control lashing out and crying. However, after a week of taking, something triggered me again. A horrible thing happened to me and made me take too much alcohol while on this medication. Messed me up, and after that, symptoms kept coming up. Lexapro really made me hold on to my sanity, but suicidal thoughts came up with the symptoms."

• Ros...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 5, 2020

"I have cyclothymia and I’m under 18. I was also in a depressive episode at the time. I’ve tried other SSRIs, and all they did was make me depressed. My doctor put me on Lexapro because I have really bad anxiety. It caused me to be in a very dark place, very depressed, emotionally numb, and felt almost robotic-like. I was also on Seroquel and Lamictal. I think SSRIs just make me more suicidal for some reason."

• pot...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 4, 2020

"I've been long diagnosed with bipolar II (since a preteen). I've tried many medications with awful outcomes, escitalopram has been the only thing that has ever helped. I started out on 10 mg, which was eventually increased to 20 mg, which I continue to take to this day. My disaster plan with my doctor is to start quetiapine once daily along with my escitalopram, which has worked great. This plan has kept me out of the hospital and psych ward. My only complaint about escitalopram is the sexual dysfunction side effect. I am lucky that I am still able to achieve orgasm, but it takes 4x as long as I do unmedicated. I know this is such an awful side effect, but you have to look at the pros and cons... don't give up on your medication for a partner."

• Ali...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 27, 2021

"Bipolar can be managed 100% to a very good level on this so that now it is like I have no bipolar disorder. Everyone needs to find the correct medicine for their bodies. I highly recommend escitalopram 5 mg. I took it first and then stopped because of side effects. Then I tried it again, and after 2 weeks of taking it, all symptoms went away after 15 days. So escitalopram has been a 100% cure for my bipolar at a dose of 5 mg per day. I also have recommended it to other patients, and they got the same results and are living a very healthy life. It is a very strong mood stabilizer when taken at 5 mg, and if taken at 10 mg, it will cure depression. Give it a go, your life will be changed."

• vol...
• May 14, 2011

Escitalopram "I took Lexapro for 3 months at 10 mg to treat bipolar disorder type I. I noticed a slight change in my mood, but not significant. I discontinued this medication due to nausea and trouble achieving orgasm."

• Bel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 30, 2016

"It's almost a week since taking 2.5 mg Lexapro in the morning and a quarter Seroquel at night. The first few days, I was irritable and very on edge. The third day, I had an anxiety attack while watching TV. It came over me slowly and didn't leave that night. I have slight hypomania. If I am in a really challenging situation, I still feel slightly vulnerable and anxious. I hope that when my body is used to the medication, that will sort itself out. I do have ringing in my ears, which is annoying. I'm not as hungry and use the toilet a lot more. I can deal with that. I may even lose some weight, which I've been battling for years now. I don't think I'll be stopping Lexapro. It seems to be getting better."

• aan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 24, 2020

"Escitalopram gave me extreme diarrhea, and I couldn't eat for 2 days after taking my first dose because the sight of food made me nauseous! I was on 10 mg, and within 7 hours of taking my first dose, I was hypomanic! I couldn't sleep for 24 hours and was constantly tired/yawning. Then I only got 3 hours of sleep, and the cycle continues! I only took the Lexapro since that's all my psychiatrist suggested, but if you take this, make sure you're on a mood stabilizer beforehand! Or else you will go hypomanic/manic."

• Chu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2018

"Very disappointed after seeing so many positive reviews and a positive drug average rating! After trying to go the “natural route,” which lasted about a year, I found myself spiraling into a hardcore relapse of depression, which is my murky, grimy pest. Along with unpleasant ruminations, I just couldn’t stand it anymore. I decided to see my doc and accepted that I need meds. Put me on 10 mg. Day one, wow! Went into what seems to be a hypermanic episode: increased energy, motivation, sociability, desire to be out there! I really fooled myself into thinking, “my gosh, I was so imbalanced that it’s gonna help from day one.” Come day 2 and 3, horrible anxiety! Insomnia! Melancholic features 10 times worse! I even tried 5 mg, and no difference, everything sucked! I could not stand being like that for 3 to 4 weeks, no way! I would’ve walked out of my job and lost it. I’m gonna see my psych next week and accept I need some kind of mood stabilizer. SSRIs just won’t work for me :("

• Moo...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 7, 2024

"I've been bipolar all my adult life, but was not diagnosed until I was 32. I really enjoyed the manic phases of bipolar, where I was super productive and fortunately never psychotic. I struggled through the depressive phases as best as I could, but my professional and personal relationships did suffer during these times. Aside from mood swings, the biggest problem I've had continuously was nonexistent circadian rhythms. My clock is all over the place, with me sometimes wide awake during the day and sometimes during the night. I've never been able to control my sleep patterns — still can't! I've been on just about every psychiatric medication and combination of medications available. But for the past four years, I've been on maintenance dosages of 200mg of Lamictal with 20mg of escitalopram, and it's worked very well for me, though it hasn't fixed the circadian rhythm issues."