Depression & antipyschotics

[Mares73]

Hi all

I'm just interested to hear people's experience those who suffer from depression (unipolar) & take an anti psychotic for "offlabel" reasons.

I suffer from unipolar depression in that I have never suffered from any format of psychosis or other mental illness other than anxiety & Post traumatic Stress Disorder. 

However some time ago my psychiatrist put me on an anti psychotic as she said they help the antidepressant work better & also help with anxiety. 

I've put up with this for a year now. But the only effects I can note are weight gain & sedation. I tried to stop taking it this week as she said it was something you could just stop. I question that as I didn't sleep for 3 nights & felt terribly sick before getting a script made up again & the chemist telling me to wean myself off them not to stop suddenly.

Does anyone else have experience of being put on such a medication when their actual diagnosis is depression?

Thanks

Mares

[Girl_Anachronism]

Hi Mares, 

I am on an antipsychotic, even though my diagnosis is depression, anxiety and borderline. I use it to help me sleep at night and for anxiety during the day. My doctor has to put it on special authority as it is only on PBS for schizophrenia and bipolar diagnoses, neither of which I have. 

I have been on it since April but haven't noticed any side affects. It actually gives the best sleep since insomnia started in November 2013. Each to their own though, I have been told the dose I am on should flatten me, but instead it just keeps my anxiety in check.

Hope I could help in some way.  

GA

[Chloekat84]

Hey Mares,

I take anti psychotic medication atm as i have borderline personality disorder and dysthymia. I have been told to wean off them slowly b4 going on a different anti phychotic. U cant just stop taking them suddenly, its says so on the pack. U can et very bad withdrawal symptoms thats y over then next few weeks im doing it very slowly. The only side effect i dont like is weight gain as it makes ur appetite increase and the sedation but i take it at night so that doesnt really bother me. Well thats my experience with it anyways x