Bipolar and Antidepressants

Hello everyone, I just wanted to recount a negative experience I had with a psychiatrist and medication. I was on Cymbalta 60mg for 6 months by order of my pcp, I finally got in with a psychiatrist in December 2025 and she immediately increased my Cymbalta by 30mg and gave me Lithium. I was diagnosed with Bipolar and Borderline, I already have severe anxiety and depression and have struggled with that my whole life.

During the period of increase of antidepressants I started feeling mentally unstable, my manic episodes were so bad and self harm was through the roof. I ended up trying to end my life on 01/15/2025, I spent a couple of days in involuntary hold and stitches with a nice scar to remind me everyday. I’m much better now but what I was told at the psychiatric unit terrified me and haunts me. He told me that whoever increased my antidepressants should have never done that, he told me to immediately stop taking it.

He told me there’s some research coming out that has correlated antidepressants increasing the likelihood of self harm/su*cide in bipolar patients. Specifically with Cymbalta. So please reconsider or research if you are on Cymbalta with bipolar, I wish I did.