Many times ADD/ADHD and bipolar are hard to distinguish from each other. ADD behavior is consistent and is driven more by interest than by importance. Bipolar is cyclic and behavior is driven by mood. Many people have both disorders. 60% of those with ADD will also be bipolar.
Bipolar Disorder
25 posts
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
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%
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
The spectrum of bipolar disorders is characterized by mood instability and impulsivity. About 1% (2 million) of the population is bipolar I. Bipolar has multiple forms. It ranges in severity from mildly disruptive to life destroying. As in other medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, the vulnerability to bipolar […]
Mood stabilizing medications treat depression and mania: Anticonvulsants Depakote* Lamictal** Tegretol Trileptal Gabitril Topamax Keppra Atypical Antipsychotics Zyprexa* ** Risperdal* **** Seroquel* Geodon* Clozaril Abilify* Other Options Lithium* ** Thyroid Symbyax*** FDA approval for: *Mania **Maintenance (Stabilization) ***Bipolar depression ****Mixed episodes