Medical treatment can be very successful. Some studies report that 70% of those adequately treated with antidepressants recover completely. One of the keys to successful treatment is finding the right medication for the type of depression an individual has. It is also important to select an antidepressant that helps relieve […]
Daily Archives: November 16, 2004
30 posts
? Depressed mood • Loss of interest/pleasure • Change in appetite or weight • Insomnia or hypersomnia • Fatigue • Slowed thinking/concentration • Feelings of guilt/worthlessness • Suicidal thoughts • Psychomotor agitation/slowness
Do you feel sad or down? Do you have crying spells and/or lost interest or motivation? Do you have low mental energy or lack normal enjoyment of life? If the answer is yes to any of these questions you could be depressed. Clinical depression is not just a feeling. It […]
Fred Goodwin, M.D., an expert on bipolar disorder, cautions that antidepressants can trigger symptoms of bipolar disorder in a person that has never had symptoms in the past. What does this mean? When an individual goes to the doctor suffering from symptoms of depression the genes could be present for […]
70% of persons with two bipolar parents will be bipolar Untreated bipolar disorder will worsen over time becoming more frequent and severe Bipolar often begins with depression Antidepressants can induce a manic response in a person that is bipolar Bipolar is a serious disorder with a 15% rate of suicide […]
Bipolar is a lifelong disorder. At this time, there is no known medication that can cure or eliminate it. Medication only manages and controls the symptoms. Bipolar disorder must be constantly attended to just as the person with diabetes must do the things necessary to keep it under control. Along […]
DYSPHORIC MANIA AND MIXED STATES – It is possible to have the symptoms of major depression and mania at the same time. This is called a mixed, or dysphoric state. It is estimated that 31% of patients presenting with mania have a mixed state. It is characterized by distinct periods […]
Highly recurrent major depression, especially if onset is early in life, tends to do better on mood stabilizers than antidepressants. These people tend to have more frequent and severe episodes, have a positive family history for Bipolar, and not do well on antidepressants. They are probably genetically related to someone […]
One study found patients to be on the following to control symptoms: One medication – 19% 2 medications – 28% 3 medications – 28% 4 or more – 25%
Alcohol Abuse/Dependence Lifetime: • 13% in general population • 21% in depressed population • 46% in bipolar population Drug Abuse Lifetime: • 6% in general population • 18% in depressed population • 41% in bipolar population