Bi-Polar Disorder - Page 2

Plenty Fox · 11-07-2004, 05:32 PM

Available evidence suggests that not only is Bi-Polar a fairly common affliction, occurring in one to three percent of the general population, but that it runs in families and is inheritable. Close relatives of people suffering from bipolar illness are 10 to 20 times more likely to develop either depression or manic-depressive illness than the general population. Unlike major depression, which can occur at any age, manic-depressive illness generally strikes before the age of 35. Manic episodes are characterized by euphoria, constant talkativeness or movement, grandiose thoughts, need for less sleep, distractibility, and reckless behavior. When severe mania sets in, the dividing line between reality and fantasy is crossed. Delusional ideation, paranoia, hallucinations, and disorganized behavior may be seen in full-blown mania, with patients requiring hospitalization to protect both themselves and those around them. Untreated, the manic phase can last as long as three months. As it abates, the patient may have a period of normal mood and behavior. Eventually, however, the depressive phase of the illness will set in. In some, depression occurs immediately or within the next few months. But with other patients there is a long interval before the next manic or depressive episode. The depressive phase has the same symptoms as major or unipolar depression. Depressive episodes consist of feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness, inability to concentrate, thoughts of death or suicide, change in appetite or weight, and fatigue or loss of energy. Anyone who suspects they or a loved one suffers from manic-depressive illness should receive a complete medical evaluation to rule out any other mental or physical disorders. Once diagnosed, bipolar disorder is a highly treatable condition. Management is primarily medical and consists of drugs such as lithium. In addition to medical management, many affected patients will benefit from psychotherapy or counseling. It should be noted, if you are on ANY anti-depressant you should NOT be drinking alcohol. You are being treated for a chemical imbalance, why add more 'chemical' to the imbalance? In fact, some meds, when combined with alcohol, will make you nauseous to the point of throwing up. Also, Schizophrenia is a co-occurring disorder and not part of Bi-Polar. While they may seem to share symptoms (hallucinations, delusional ideation) there are differences and both need to be addressed separately.

Gail405 · 11-14-2004, 04:39 PM

You are very Knowledgeable in this area. WW. Keep on W/ your discussions. They appear to me to be very effective.IMO GES

Gail405 · 11-15-2004, 06:36 PM

I want to add.:determination of dosage of Lithium, and Depakote are determined, by levels in blood draws.Anywhere from weekly to monthly, to 4 months. This is were I'm at. This coming Wed. I will have a doctor visit for me. The last visit, my doc. about flipped, in the realization, I was on high Manic. 1st time for me this doc. He had a nurse in the room. She assisted me when I became a bit disoriented. My thoughts were stumbling. I'm glad she was on hand. I'm wondering if she will be in attendance this visit? GES

Gail405 · 11-15-2004, 06:57 PM

Another thought just came to me(recall) when 1st placed on Lithium, I was inpatient, at VA. Hosp. Omaha.I was given about a liter jug for my urine, when I had to go, as I recall, I urinated in this liter jug. I carried it for several days, maybe a week.Each day it would be sent to lab for analysis. At this time I was on some form of Lithium. There are several types, just like insulin for diabetics. Also another thought I was given an insulin shock treatment series over a period of time, before I was put on Lithium. Insulin shock treatment is no longer used to my knowledge. Now if used it's electric shock. I told my doctor then I didn't want electric shock, so I never received it. But my wife says I did. I don't think this. If I did I didn't know it. Wife was on top, pretty much, them days. We married when I was in patient. I was the one that took different attitudes(scattered thinking) she helped hold me together.GES

Plenty Fox · 11-15-2004, 07:11 PM

As always, it is important to remember when reading these 'health' threads that each individual is different, we don't have a medical history of anyone sharing information out here; thus, there is no substitute for getting a proper diagnosis and having an appropriate treatment plan with a licensed professional.

Gail405 · 11-15-2004, 07:57 PM

Agree WW. Different doc's interpret different ways, according what the patient, or sometimes called client discloses. And the doc's prior training. There are many examples that can be drawn on for treatment of any given. A doc w/ some experience under his belt has a better inkling of what is going on, W/ the patient. One of the pro's prime questions is (what's going on?). It actually is their favorite question, my experience. I've heard it many times.GES

Plenty Fox · 11-16-2004, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gail405

Agree WW. Different doc's interpret different ways, according what the patient, or sometimes called client discloses. And the doc's prior training. There are many examples that can be drawn on for treatment of any given. A doc w/ some experience under his belt has a better inkling of what is going on, W/ the patient. One of the pro's prime questions is (what's going on?). It actually is their favorite question, my experience. I've heard it many times.GES

I was not referring to doctors..I was referring to posters...like yourself. You are sharing alot of personal information and opinion. I was cautioning anyone reading these posts that any post by someone suffering from any disorder, need to be viewed as only one part of a complicated puzzle. Whether you call it perspective, bias, layman's understanding, info you've gathered from wherever; your comments are not the total picture. We are not privy to the facts and should not compare your experience to ours or someone we know. That is what I was saying.

Gail405 · 11-16-2004, 05:04 PM

Agree. I run my mouth a lot , lot. It's my way of compensating. I like to share what my experience s are so others may have a measure or gauge to guide them. I'm not forceing anyone to do or act in any way that is contrary their convictions. I try to speak the truth as I understand it for me. If it is beneficial to others or not, I'm giving it my all.People do take offense to me. Which when I'm up, most of the time, and I consider it constructive critisism, for me. I will acknowledge it if at all possible. If no more than virtual pat on the back.IMO GES

crowtribe · 06-26-2006, 07:29 PM

I think my sister is bi-polar and i confronted her about it but she refuses to do anything about it. Can you tell me what the symphoms are for this kind of disease. All i wanted to do is help her.

crystalclear · 09-08-2006, 07:53 PM

Hi all,
I have bipolar type one there are different types. 1,2and 3 and I think the docs are coming out with a type 4.

Type 1 is what everyone calls manic depression, or used to. High's, lows, somepsychosis sometimes. I have all three, high's lows, inbetween and psychosis (I hear things and see things that are not there, I also become delusional).

Type 2- not so high high's called hypomania, mostly depression, no psychosis.

Type 3_ cyclothymia, mostly depressed with some hypomania not alot, no psychosis unless it is with depression.

I spent years ahsamed of myself for being sick, now I am nolonger ahsamed. I stand in front of people and readily tell them I am sick, I take meds, abilify and seroquel. I live as low stress a life as I can, I work full time and go to school part time.

I have a normal life augmented by meds. I have a hubby, 2 step children. my life is good, I am gratefull for it.

Jazzman, while I agree some of us are hard to be around while sick, not all of us are. many of my friends you'd never kn ow we were sick even if we were off our rockers, we have learned to hide some of the traits. mania is still easy to see in me. I talk fast, move fast, spend too much, etc.

People with bipolar should not be pittied, pitty does no good. They have a chemical imbalance pertaining to dopamine and seratonin. some anidepressants like wellbutrin wil probably make them manic. usually a low dose of an antipsychotic will bring us down to normal level.

I tend to be manic more than I am ever depressed, so I have to watch my stress levels because those trigger an episode.
also having a spiritual path has helped ground me.

can't think of anything else to say so I'll go.
peace all chris

SuzzeQ4 · 11-05-2006, 01:42 AM

I am bi-polar (type 1). I was diganosed as a pre-pubecent child (which I believe is unusual).
My life was an uncontrollable hell. The manias were great while I was in them but They were what I regretted the most after.
Now that I religously check in with the doc & see if any of my meds need to be adjusted i am able to live a normal life, be a good mom & wife.
I still fell the pulls of mania & depression, but they are slight & I can generally control myself: like spending $40 instead of the $200 i don't have. Also sticking to my meds & checkin in means I don't "self medicate" (to put it nicely) anymore (so glad thats over!)
But what I do worry about is my kids. I think my oldest may be more like me then I'd like. I know what warning sighns to look for with in me, but since I'm not in my kids head, I'm not sure what to look for in her.
Any help would be nice, my oldest has a different Dad then my other kids & her dad doesn't want to deal with her issues, probably because he considers my condition to mean that I am crazy rather then looking at it as an illness that I happen to have.
Suzze

Smokinghawk · 11-18-2006, 02:30 AM

I'm a licensed profession who is qualified to diagnose and treat mental illness. I'm not familiar with this screening questionaire; is it a clinically-based survey? Many of the inquiries seem unspecific for bipolar; notice, for example, the number of people who've commented along the lines of "gee, nearly all of these apply to me!"

Bipolar is diagnosed using several screens, and self-reports about occasional moods is actually a rather scarce assessment tool. Generally, a daily log of quantified reports over a period of time is taken to determine whether these responses indicate the normal moods that all of us experiences, versus an observable rhythm of extreme variance between the two poles of mania and depression.

Once assessed, a mental health profession can provide treatment and a psychiatrist will manage medications.

Hope that contributes something to this interesting thread!

Smokinghawk · 11-18-2006, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuzzeQ4

I am bi-polar (type 1). I was diganosed as a pre-pubecent child (which I believe is unusual).

Suzze

This did indeed used to be unusual; Bipolar was once thought to be an adult disorder. Today, most clinicians recognize it in younger people and some research suggests it may even be one of the most common disorders in adolescents (usually misdiagnosesd as ADD/ADHD which, when treated with those meds, WORSEN true bipolar! That's a lot of fun, huh?)

Some clinicans are arguing that bipolar can be diagnosed in children as young as four; this is still controversial.

I'm including an article on bipolar in young people below:

------------

Bipolar Disorder More Common in Teens Than Thought--
Up to 20 percent with psychiatric problems may have the condition, study suggests

FRIDAY, Dec. 30 (HealthDay News) -- Bipolar disorder is more common than expected among teens hospitalized for psychiatric problems.
Doctors at Bradley Hospital in Providence, R.I., found that up to 20 percent of adolescents in psychiatric units may have the condition, also known as manic depression.
The disorder is characterized by dramatic mood swings -- extreme elation to irritability, sadness and hopelessness, then back again.
"There are often periods of normal mood in between, but there is always accompanying serious impairment in functions," said study co-author Dr. Jeffrey Hunt, a child psychiatrist at the hospital and an assistant professor at Brown Medical School.
The report appears in the December issue of the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology.
The disorder was considered to be rare in children and adolescents, but the authors say that screening patients for bipolar disorder immediately after they are admitted to a psychiatric unit can lead to better diagnosis and treatment. Frequently, patients are admitted and treated for symptoms of depression, but the medication can have an adverse effect for someone who suffers from bipolar disorder, the authors said.
The disorder can be difficult to diagnose because some of the symptoms can also be seen as regular traits in children, among them impulsivity, irritability and hyperactivity.
The researchers used a two-pronged approach to diagnose 391 admissions to the inpatient unit at Bradley. They took medical histories of the patients and their families, along with K-SADS, the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia, a series of questions that lead to a mania rating. In this way, they determined that about 20 percent were manic-depressive.
Previously, the common rate was thought to be about 1 percent.
The authors also found that bipolar patients were more suicidal and aggressive, and needed higher levels of care than patients with depression.

SuzzeQ4 · 11-25-2006, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokinghawk

I'm a licensed profession who is qualified to diagnose and treat mental illness.

Both of your posts were indeed interesting.

Ok, well obviously you can't diagnose over the internet but maybe you could tell me if my worrying about my one daughter is something that needs to be assesed or if I'm over reacting. So my one child that I worry about, she is either alot of fun, or a total nightmare, definatly agressive, phisycally so. Now sure there are always issues between siblibgs, but she'll lash out because one of the kids was annoying. she also sometimes lashes out at other children, not just siblings. She goes from being excited about her friends, to angry & suspicious of them. She is either up half the night, or sleeping early. She is also vary difficult to motivate. It's not like this behaviour is new & so related to her age, she has always been like this, although it's been worse since she started puberty, kinda feels like the terrible 2's all over again. So should I worry & take her for testing? Or deal with the fact that the teen years are close at hand, & it just ain't fun?
Suzze

Smokinghawk · 11-25-2006, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuzzeQ4

Both of your posts were indeed interesting.

Ok, well obviously you can't diagnose over the internet but maybe you could tell me if my worrying about my one daughter is something that needs to be assesed or if I'm over reacting. So my one child that I worry about, she is either alot of fun, or a total nightmare, definatly agressive, phisycally so. Now sure there are always issues between siblibgs, but she'll lash out because one of the kids was annoying. she also sometimes lashes out at other children, not just siblings. She goes from being excited about her friends, to angry & suspicious of them. She is either up half the night, or sleeping early. She is also vary difficult to motivate. It's not like this behaviour is new & so related to her age, she has always been like this, although it's been worse since she started puberty, kinda feels like the terrible 2's all over again. So should I worry & take her for testing? Or deal with the fact that the teen years are close at hand, & it just ain't fun?
Suzze

Definitely worth an assessment. Actually, I was the exact same way--same dizzying mood swings, sleep problems, etc. As it turns out, it was caused by an allergy to milk!

There are two FANTASTIC books about exactly what you're dealing with, and both are paperback (cheap) and easy to read (as opposed to clinical textbooks):

The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and

11-07-2004, 05:32 PM	#21 (permalink)
Plenty Fox meeeeeeeeeeee Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Upstairs Posts: 951	genetics Available evidence suggests that not only is Bi-Polar a fairly common affliction, occurring in one to three percent of the general population, but that it runs in families and is inheritable. Close relatives of people suffering from bipolar illness are 10 to 20 times more likely to develop either depression or manic-depressive illness than the general population. Unlike major depression, which can occur at any age, manic-depressive illness generally strikes before the age of 35. Manic episodes are characterized by euphoria, constant talkativeness or movement, grandiose thoughts, need for less sleep, distractibility, and reckless behavior. When severe mania sets in, the dividing line between reality and fantasy is crossed. Delusional ideation, paranoia, hallucinations, and disorganized behavior may be seen in full-blown mania, with patients requiring hospitalization to protect both themselves and those around them. Untreated, the manic phase can last as long as three months. As it abates, the patient may have a period of normal mood and behavior. Eventually, however, the depressive phase of the illness will set in. In some, depression occurs immediately or within the next few months. But with other patients there is a long interval before the next manic or depressive episode. The depressive phase has the same symptoms as major or unipolar depression. Depressive episodes consist of feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness, inability to concentrate, thoughts of death or suicide, change in appetite or weight, and fatigue or loss of energy. Anyone who suspects they or a loved one suffers from manic-depressive illness should receive a complete medical evaluation to rule out any other mental or physical disorders. Once diagnosed, bipolar disorder is a highly treatable condition. Management is primarily medical and consists of drugs such as lithium. In addition to medical management, many affected patients will benefit from psychotherapy or counseling. It should be noted, if you are on ANY anti-depressant you should NOT be drinking alcohol. You are being treated for a chemical imbalance, why add more 'chemical' to the imbalance? In fact, some meds, when combined with alcohol, will make you nauseous to the point of throwing up. Also, Schizophrenia is a co-occurring disorder and not part of Bi-Polar. While they may seem to share symptoms (hallucinations, delusional ideation) there are differences and both need to be addressed separately. __________________ Damme ape’semmai, "Andabichidaiboonee’ gimmadu’i.Wihyu memme hainjinee’ nahandu’i. Enne wizha sudei’ tsaangu mabizhiahkande," mai. The Creator said, "A foreign race of white people will come, who will become your friends. You should treat them well." The Creator sure had a strange sense of humor!

11-15-2004, 07:11 PM	#25 (permalink)
Plenty Fox meeeeeeeeeeee Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Upstairs Posts: 951	As always, it is important to remember when reading these 'health' threads that each individual is different, we don't have a medical history of anyone sharing information out here; thus, there is no substitute for getting a proper diagnosis and having an appropriate treatment plan with a licensed professional. __________________ Damme ape’semmai, "Andabichidaiboonee’ gimmadu’i.Wihyu memme hainjinee’ nahandu’i. Enne wizha sudei’ tsaangu mabizhiahkande," mai. The Creator said, "A foreign race of white people will come, who will become your friends. You should treat them well." The Creator sure had a strange sense of humor!

09-08-2006, 07:53 PM	#30 (permalink)
crystalclear Pow Wow Visitor Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 10	bipolar Hi all, I have bipolar type one there are different types. 1,2and 3 and I think the docs are coming out with a type 4. Type 1 is what everyone calls manic depression, or used to. High's, lows, somepsychosis sometimes. I have all three, high's lows, inbetween and psychosis (I hear things and see things that are not there, I also become delusional). Type 2- not so high high's called hypomania, mostly depression, no psychosis. Type 3_ cyclothymia, mostly depressed with some hypomania not alot, no psychosis unless it is with depression. I spent years ahsamed of myself for being sick, now I am nolonger ahsamed. I stand in front of people and readily tell them I am sick, I take meds, abilify and seroquel. I live as low stress a life as I can, I work full time and go to school part time. I have a normal life augmented by meds. I have a hubby, 2 step children. my life is good, I am gratefull for it. Jazzman, while I agree some of us are hard to be around while sick, not all of us are. many of my friends you'd never kn ow we were sick even if we were off our rockers, we have learned to hide some of the traits. mania is still easy to see in me. I talk fast, move fast, spend too much, etc. People with bipolar should not be pittied, pitty does no good. They have a chemical imbalance pertaining to dopamine and seratonin. some anidepressants like wellbutrin wil probably make them manic. usually a low dose of an antipsychotic will bring us down to normal level. I tend to be manic more than I am ever depressed, so I have to watch my stress levels because those trigger an episode. also having a spiritual path has helped ground me. can't think of anything else to say so I'll go. peace all chris

11-14-2004, 04:39 PM	#22 (permalink)
Gail405 Junior Dancer Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 104	You are very Knowledgeable in this area. WW. Keep on W/ your discussions. They appear to me to be very effective.IMO GES

11-15-2004, 06:36 PM	#23 (permalink)
Gail405 Junior Dancer Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 104	I want to add.:determination of dosage of Lithium, and Depakote are determined, by levels in blood draws.Anywhere from weekly to monthly, to 4 months. This is were I'm at. This coming Wed. I will have a doctor visit for me. The last visit, my doc. about flipped, in the realization, I was on high Manic. 1st time for me this doc. He had a nurse in the room. She assisted me when I became a bit disoriented. My thoughts were stumbling. I'm glad she was on hand. I'm wondering if she will be in attendance this visit? GES

11-15-2004, 06:57 PM	#24 (permalink)
Gail405 Junior Dancer Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 104	Another thought just came to me(recall) when 1st placed on Lithium, I was inpatient, at VA. Hosp. Omaha.I was given about a liter jug for my urine, when I had to go, as I recall, I urinated in this liter jug. I carried it for several days, maybe a week.Each day it would be sent to lab for analysis. At this time I was on some form of Lithium. There are several types, just like insulin for diabetics. Also another thought I was given an insulin shock treatment series over a period of time, before I was put on Lithium. Insulin shock treatment is no longer used to my knowledge. Now if used it's electric shock. I told my doctor then I didn't want electric shock, so I never received it. But my wife says I did. I don't think this. If I did I didn't know it. Wife was on top, pretty much, them days. We married when I was in patient. I was the one that took different attitudes(scattered thinking) she helped hold me together.GES

11-15-2004, 07:57 PM	#26 (permalink)
Gail405 Junior Dancer Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 104	Agree WW. Different doc's interpret different ways, according what the patient, or sometimes called client discloses. And the doc's prior training. There are many examples that can be drawn on for treatment of any given. A doc w/ some experience under his belt has a better inkling of what is going on, W/ the patient. One of the pro's prime questions is (what's going on?). It actually is their favorite question, my experience. I've heard it many times.GES

11-16-2004, 05:04 PM	#28 (permalink)
Gail405 Junior Dancer Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 104	Agree. I run my mouth a lot , lot. It's my way of compensating. I like to share what my experience s are so others may have a measure or gauge to guide them. I'm not forceing anyone to do or act in any way that is contrary their convictions. I try to speak the truth as I understand it for me. If it is beneficial to others or not, I'm giving it my all.People do take offense to me. Which when I'm up, most of the time, and I consider it constructive critisism, for me. I will acknowledge it if at all possible. If no more than virtual pat on the back.IMO GES

06-26-2006, 07:29 PM	#29 (permalink)
crowtribe Pow Wow Visitor Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 25 Blog Entries: 1	I think my sister is bi-polar and i confronted her about it but she refuses to do anything about it. Can you tell me what the symphoms are for this kind of disease. All i wanted to do is help her.

11-05-2006, 01:42 AM	#31 (permalink)
SuzzeQ4 Senior Dancer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: next door to Timmies...Jealous? Posts: 564	I am bi-polar (type 1). I was diganosed as a pre-pubecent child (which I believe is unusual). My life was an uncontrollable hell. The manias were great while I was in them but They were what I regretted the most after. Now that I religously check in with the doc & see if any of my meds need to be adjusted i am able to live a normal life, be a good mom & wife. I still fell the pulls of mania & depression, but they are slight & I can generally control myself: like spending $40 instead of the $200 i don't have. Also sticking to my meds & checkin in means I don't "self medicate" (to put it nicely) anymore (so glad thats over!) But what I do worry about is my kids. I think my oldest may be more like me then I'd like. I know what warning sighns to look for with in me, but since I'm not in my kids head, I'm not sure what to look for in her. Any help would be nice, my oldest has a different Dad then my other kids & her dad doesn't want to deal with her issues, probably because he considers my condition to mean that I am crazy rather then looking at it as an illness that I happen to have. Suzze

11-18-2006, 02:30 AM	#32 (permalink)
Smokinghawk Pow Wow Visitor Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 12	I'm a licensed profession who is qualified to diagnose and treat mental illness. I'm not familiar with this screening questionaire; is it a clinically-based survey? Many of the inquiries seem unspecific for bipolar; notice, for example, the number of people who've commented along the lines of "gee, nearly all of these apply to me!" Bipolar is diagnosed using several screens, and self-reports about occasional moods is actually a rather scarce assessment tool. Generally, a daily log of quantified reports over a period of time is taken to determine whether these responses indicate the normal moods that all of us experiences, versus an observable rhythm of extreme variance between the two poles of mania and depression. Once assessed, a mental health profession can provide treatment and a psychiatrist will manage medications. Hope that contributes something to this interesting thread!