Bipolar disorder-

[karebear1]

I have a family member that has been diagnosed as being bipolar. It was a pretty quick diagnosis- like made in 1 hour. Is that usual? Is there anyone out there that can give me the names of some books on this disorder so I can figure out how to deal with it? If there is someone out there that is bipolar and has it under control? I would really appreciate hearing from you- either via this thread or PM. I will keep any info sent to me privately , confidential. Thank you all so much.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

This is a drug company site and it is the drup my MIL takes for schizophrenia but I find it very helpful explaining mental illness.
This drug has been very helpful for my MIL. The site is good in explanation. Also has links.
http://www.zyprexa.com/managing/recognizing_bipolar_c_bipolar.jsp

 

[Tiggeroo]

I would exercise caution with someone receiving a diagnosis so quickly in one visit. This happened to dh, and dr. immediately put him on meds. No counseling, just monthly visits where he got another script. The medication made him much worst. He put him on both add and bipolar meds. I don't know whether this quick of a diagnosis is unusual but I was uncomfortable with it. If you are putting somebody on psych. drugs you should be very sure of the diagnosis, and probably order a physical and blood work as well. And the trial with the meds should be closely monitored.

 

[karebear1]

I should add that this diagnosis was made by a mental health professional. Tiggeroo- was your DH's diagnosis froma regular MD or by a psychologists/psychiartrist? What has happened with your DH?

 

[dcentity2000]

Also known as manic-depressive disorder.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/jeremygilbert1/main/curio/index8.html

Scroll down for info on the disorder. Muchos medication info on the page.



Rich::

 

[disneyworld!]

urggg...I really hate this!

It took them years to properly diganose me and my daughter.there are several different types etc....

I guess this is still Taboo ..and I HATE it!

 

[TigerBear]

Is this an adult or a child? I'm also curious who made the diagnosis.

 

[Tiggeroo]

Yes it was. But in retrospect there were other reasons I wasn't confident with the person who made the diagnosis. And it's still unclear whether the diagnosis was incorrect or just the meds. We are going to be seeing another psych. One of the reasons I talk about the problems with the meds and the lack of medical info is that the med they put him on for add can cause high blood pressure and dh has high blood pressure.

 

[chrissyk]

Check out www.nami.org . It's the website for the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. I've gotten a lot of good information there.

 

[ginna74]

WOW! It took years for me to get this diagnose right. Finaly found the right meds for me. I can't even count the diff ones I have tried. Yes there are dif kinds of "bi polar" too. "normal bipolar people" have their highs and lows and highs and lows. I am like low low low high low low lol. I think it is either bi polar 2 or B, I forgot, all I know is I don't have the "common" type.

Just my opinion, I would get a second opinion. I have been through a few docs and this one for a while now and I really like her. Just because they may be a "professional" doesn't mean they always know what they are doing. I personally would be VERY skeptical if someone made a diagnosis that quick. Get a second or third opinion and that way you will surely understand what is going in

 

[cgcw]

In my experience, it took years of struggles and not being right before my brother was diagnosed bi-polar. It's not something that can be decided on in one visit.

As others have said, there are many different types of medications and not all will be best for some. I'd be concerned of anyone taking medication with a side effect of increase blood pressure when they already have high blood pressure. Is your DH on meds for his blood pressure? Is the doctor who prescribed the meds for the apparent bi-polar aware of the blood pressure?

Personally, if you are not comfortable with the doctor, you probably need to find another one. Mental illness is not something that can just be treated. There should be a lot of follow up between the doctor and patient.

Best of luck.

 

[Sheree Bobbins]

I heard that Dr. Schuller (author & pastor) is going to be on Larry King tonight. I think he will be discussing the suicide of his music director (the director had bipolar disorder for years). You might want to catch it, I'm going to playing a band concert tonight so I can't watch it.

It took about 3 years until I was properly diagnozed with bipoloar. It began with depression and psychosis and I was admitted to emergency at the psych. facility. But it wasn't until I was put on lithium and zyprexa that I began to thrive again. My doctors tell me I'm on a small dosage for maintenance.

 

[karebear1]

Thank you all so much for your help. I will try to watch Larry king tonight- maybe they'll talk about it a little.

Disneyworld!- I don't think this is a taboo subject. Some people just like to keep things private.

tigerbear- this is an adult and the diagnosis was made by a psychologist.

 

[Crankyshank]

It is a really fast diagnosis, but that doesn't mean it was incorrect. A good friend of mine was diagnosed correctly within an office visit, but it took years to get her medication right. In her case there was an extensive maternal family history of bi-polar disorder, she was 17 (which is a common time for diagnosis), and her symptoms were textbook (high high low high).

However I have other people in my life that have taken years for the correct diagnosis to be made because there are so many variations of symptoms.

 

[Tiggeroo]

I'd be concerned of anyone taking medication with a side effect of increase blood pressure when they already have high blood pressure. Is your DH on meds for his blood pressure? Is the doctor who prescribed the meds for the apparent bi-polar aware of the blood pressure?

This was a recommended psychiatrist who prescribed this med for dh. He didn't even ask him his medical history. When I saw my dh's reaction to the meds I went online and saw the side effects. Told the dr. and was brushed off. Also, dh had a history of drug abuse (speed), many many years ago. He told the dr. this but the med the dr. prescribed is a stimulant (speed). This brought cravings to the surface my dh hadn't even thought about for decades. I am very angry over this and am currently trying to get an attorney to look into the situation.
By the way a psychologist can say, he believes it is bi-polar but a psychiatrist must make the diagnoses and handle the scripts. So you will have to get another opinion from a psychiatrist. Perhaps call a major teaching hospital and get some names of drs. on staff.

 

[donnajon]

I am a psychiatric social worker and there are many psychiatrist here that I would not let treat my dog! There is only one child and adolescent psychiatrist around that I would let see my children if they needed it. Unfortunately, if you don't know them, there is no way to know who is good or not.
You may want to look at the DSM-IV. That is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual which list the diagnostic criteria required to make a diagnosis.
I actually saw someone a few weeks ago diagnosed ADHD and Bipolar Disorder and I thought it was an odd combination. I'm not saying it is not possible but I just thought it was strange to be diagnosed both. Usually, the bipolar part would encompass the ADHD part. And I would RUN from any doctor who did not ask about past medical history before prescribing medication and who shrugged off a history of addiction. Anyone with any type of history of an addiction should never be put on any medication that is addicting. We advise people to inform medical doctors of this if they ever need something for pain in the future so that it doesn't start the addiction process over again.

 

[Deesknee]

Allow me to say I am in no way a medical professional, nor am I on any medication for these types of diseases.

I am in a social circle that encourages me to be around alot of people with all sorts of different mental/chemically unbalanced diseases.Many have had to try different meds before finding the right balance for them. Some have found it right away. Some gain alot of weight because of meds. Some need meds changed periodically (almost as if their bodies build an immunity to the meds).
Of all the 100's of people I know on these meds, once balanced properly, noone else would ever guess they have any type of problem.

Again, I am not a medical person, but with any diagnosis, it is never a bad idea to get a 2nd opinion.

Good luck

 

[disneyworld!]

no, what I mean is anytime anyone finds out I am bi-polar with clinic depression etc...they look at me like I have 3 heads..and they keep there distance from me!!

In this day in age...I wish people would STOP treating us that way!! It is just like if someone has high blood pressure, or is diabectic.....

and I DO know I have lived with it for over 30 years...so unless you suffer from it...you cannot and will not ever understand!

and no matter how much you "study" about it...you still will not know unless you have walked in my shoes!

and I am so sick of being treated "different" if peopel find out!
so untill here...I will NEVER tell anyone ever again!

 

[ericamanda01]

I have found that some doctors, not all, are a little to quick to dish out meds. Where as some others ignore the problem all together. With a disorder like bipolar is it best to get a second opition becasue of how strong the meds can be. Better safe than sorry. I hope everything works out.

 

[poohandwendy]

I would get a second opinion by a doctor (psychiatrist) who:
a) takes a complete medical history
b) combines therapy with medicine
c) works closely with the person who he will be in therapy with
d) regularly schedule visits to reevaluate his condition/ side effects, etc

Be proactive by calling different doctors and 'interviewing them', ask about their practices regarding diagnosis, medicine and therapy. Then make an appt. If they won't answer your questions or concerns (a mamber of their staff can answer these questions), I would pass on them and keep looking.

As far as the quick diagnosis, I'm sure it is possible depending on his symptoms. I don't think that is the real reason to be concerned. The dispensing of medication without therapy and lack of medical history interest is totally unacceptable. And, as previously mentioned, I cannot recommend Nami (national alliance for the mentally ill) highly enough.

Good luck to you and your DH, bipolar disorder can be treated very successfully. I wish you all the best!