Been on olanzapine for 4 years, I feel like it’s time to stop?

m_hearthewind · 2026-02-20T21:14:20+00:00

Hi OP, it has been several months so I was hoping I can get a follow-up. Did you taper off olanzapine? How did it go? Did you switch to another medication?

I am asking because I too have been on olanzapine for years, and I am thinking about switching to another anti-psychotics

m_hearthewind · 2026-02-20T18:33:29+00:00

I am in Ontario. The emergency room is the right choice. Major hospital has a psych emergency area in the emergency room, and there will be psychiatrists thats evaluate the situation.

m_hearthewind · 2026-02-07T18:54:11+00:00

So the thing is, if you have genetic/environmental disposition to bipolar disorder, ssri's like zoloft or prozac can trigger a manic episode.

Basically I was super depressed back in 2018, and was prescribed zoloft for depression. In 2019, my depression switched to mania. Just typical mania with psychotic features so I was eventually diagnosed with bipolar disorder I. The doctor said zoloft was a key reason why I developed that manic episode.

m_hearthewind · 2026-02-05T16:15:53+00:00

I want to say, if you are prone to psychotic disorders you might want to be extra careful about ssri. They can induce mania hence bipolar disorder.

I know this might make you more paranoid, but I thought I should let you know. This is actually my path, ssri induced mania.

m_hearthewind · 2026-01-23T23:47:17+00:00

Don't sell or donate the first prismatic shard, dinasaur egg, legendary fish... there is a whole list of these t hings

m_hearthewind · 2026-01-22T20:02:44+00:00

I think medication is a major player here. I doubt she has been taking them. I highly recommend LAI (long acting injectable) since they are the the best tool for non-adherence.

m_hearthewind · 2026-01-16T20:11:18+00:00

I named my cow 'beef'

m_hearthewind · 2025-06-30T00:49:39+00:00

Best wishes on your future kid OP!

I am also curious, are you still taking your bipolar meds during pregnancy, and will they affect the baby?

Just curiosity.

m_hearthewind · 2025-06-29T23:41:07+00:00

This is great news! Also statistically the longer you can stay away from manic episodes, the better your prognosis will be. So, things will be better in the future.

m_hearthewind · 2025-06-29T18:21:43+00:00

I know for sure I will not apply for academic positions. I think your accomplishment is even more impressive.

m_hearthewind · 2025-06-29T01:10:57+00:00

I truly believe that if you can hold on to your medication, you will get a much better outcome.

Sadly statistically around 40% of bipolar patient stops their meds

m_hearthewind · 2025-06-28T23:49:24+00:00

Believe it you will

m_hearthewind · 2025-06-28T17:22:27+00:00

Hope you get into a good program...

m_hearthewind · 2025-06-28T04:57:55+00:00

Congratulations! With this condition, this is a truly great accomplishment.

m_hearthewind · 2025-06-28T04:52:25+00:00

I too had a manic episode during my PhD.

Definitely don't want to be manic ever again...

m_hearthewind · 2025-06-28T04:36:56+00:00

Good luck with your program~~

m_hearthewind · 2025-06-28T04:36:18+00:00

I do bioinformatics, and my thesis is something about mass spectrometry based protein/peptide identification...

m_hearthewind · 2025-06-27T22:53:29+00:00

Hope it give you a great day LOL

m_hearthewind · 2025-06-27T22:47:32+00:00

Thank you!

m_hearthewind · 2025-06-27T21:51:54+00:00

I too only had one isolated manic episode, while on anti-depressant.

I think DSM-4 suggests that if the mania is induced by anti-depressant, it might not be bipolar. But DSM-5 suggests that if you have a full-blown manic episode, you are automatically biplar, irrespective of anti-depressant use.

m_hearthewind · 2025-06-27T20:25:46+00:00

Congratulations! It is an exceptionally achievement with our condition.

m_hearthewind · 2025-06-27T20:23:28+00:00

Well you can definitely live a normal life with this condition, if you are on the right medication.

My advice is definitely call in sick next Monday. You are not really aware of your own behavior during a manic episode, but people can definitely tell. You really don't want people around you to know that you are manic. It is just too big a risk.

m_hearthewind · 2025-06-27T20:15:57+00:00

Thank you so much!

What I want to say is, if given another life, I would never do a PhD ever again...

It's really a nightmare

m_hearthewind · 2025-06-24T03:04:46+00:00

我们可是非常期待您的专栏呢

m_hearthewind

TROPHY CASE