WHAT ABOUT BPD TREATMENT USING LEXAPRO WELLBUTRIN OR CYMBALTA? Ask The Doctor Dr. Leland Heller Biological Unhappiness WHAT ABOUT BPD TREATMENT USING LEXAPRO WELLBUTRIN OR CYMBALTA? Question: What About BPD Treatment Using Lexapro Wellbutrin or Cymbalta? Dr. Heller’s Answer: Lexapro is in the SSRI class. Its a form of Celexa (citalopram). Clearly increasing serotonin has some benefits for the BPD, as all SSRIs help to some degree. The uniqueness of Prozac (fluoxetine) is likely due to its effects on the brains glial cells. While the other SSRIs occasionally work as well as Prozac (fluoxetine), its uncommon. For most individuals with the BPD, Lexapro (escitalopram) is more expensive and less effective than Prozac (fluoxetine). At the right dose, Prozac (fluoxetine) eliminates unprovoked mood swings, chronic anger and irritability, emptiness, and inappropriate boredom. It also dramatically reduces rejection sensitivity and chronic unhappiness. All SSRI antidepressants can worsen the cognitive generalized anxiety disorder if it is present. They can also cause difficulty with orgasms, although this is usually treatable. Lexapro causes this side effect less often. Wellbutrin (buproprion) appears to work by increasing dopamine and noradrenaline. It can be very stimulating and can help with ADHD and the “blahs” (particularly those caused by SSRI medications). It can make the cognitive generalized anxiety disorder worse. Without first treating the BPD, Wellbutrin (buproprion) often increases the frequency and severity of BPD dysphoria (anxiety, rage, depression and despair) episodes – presumably by increasing limbic system dopamine levels. Its a great medication for the right person, and it can extraordinarily helpful for orgasms and/or the “blahss” that can be caused by SSRI medications when taken in combination with the SSRI medication. Cymbalta is a newer antidepressant that seems to affect both serotonin and noradrenaline. Its marketed for helping reduce diabetic neuropathy pain. Overall Ive been disappointed in it. Cymbalta does work for some individuals, with or without the BPD, but not commonly. The few with the BPD who have done extremely well have been on very high doses. In my experience, those without the BPD respond approximately 20% of the time to Cymbalta. For those 20% it works extremely well. 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Ask the Doctor Home MENU: Screening Test “Ask the Doctor” (BPD)Borderline Personality Disorder Annual Updates Biological Unhappiness Disorders & Official Criteria Dr. Heller’s C.V. & Picture How Dr. Heller Got Involved If You Want to See Dr. Heller as a Patient Testimonials Table of Contents for the Book ‘Biological Unhappiness’ How to Order “Life at the Border” Why Read ‘Biological Unhappiness’? Goals AD(H)D and Relationships BPD, Bipolar or ADHD? Suicide What if BuSpar makes me anxious or ill? A Suicide Attempt Per Minute in the US Grandparents raising Grandchildren Information About Children What Signs are there that Someone May ‘SNAP’? TV & Cartoon Characters with Depression & Other Disorders Dr. Heller’s Office Website Dr. Heller’s Lectures Mentally Healthy People Retraining the Brain Today is a Gift Reviews Links Webrings Site Index Home Video DVDs now available! You can watch and listen to Dr. Heller in the comfort and convenience of your own home. Provides full explanations and treatment descriptions of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) – 90 minutes, other Biological Unhappiness disorders – 90 minutes. Click here to find out more about Dr. Heller’s educational videos. “Biological Unhappiness” “Open this book and it will open your mind. By combining proven medical procedure with hope and inspiration, Dr. Heller has made a significant difference in thousands of patients who had little hope for recovery. “Biological Unhappiness” contains critical information for those who have lost hope.”Zig Ziglar, motivational speaker, author, See You at the Top, Over the Top, Success for Dummies, Raising Positive kids in a Negative World. Dr. Leland Heller Dyslimbia Press, Inc. 1713 US Hwy 441 N, Suite E Okeechobee, FL 34972 863-467-8771 Email: Hours: M-Thu. 8:30AM-5PMFri. 8:30AM-12 Noon*(*During November through April, the office is open until 3PM on Fridays.) All material not explicitly credited otherwise is copyrighted © 1999-2011 Dr. Leland Heller. All Rights Reserved. May not be duplicated without the permission of Dr. Leland Heller or Dyslimbia Press. Biological Unhappiness, BiologicalUnhappiness.com, & Dyslimbia Press are trademarks of Dr. Leland HellerDesigned and/or hosted by the webmasters at: US-Webmasters.com (TM) Start here to find it FAST!(TM)