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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Kari1 on October 30, 2004, at 12:52:50
I was diagnosed Bi-Polar, but as I've read, their are a few catagories...I, II, III, etc. Should I know which one I fall into???? Does everyone fall into one....or in between? or something like that??? Should I ask my doctor???
It's never been mentioned to me...and no doctor has ever asked....thanks
Posted by linkadge on October 30, 2004, at 13:24:01
In reply to Should everyone who has bi-polar be catergorized??, posted by Kari1 on October 30, 2004, at 12:52:50
Personally, when I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder it didn't seem to fit me very well at all. I knew my mood was always fluctuation from normal to suicidal. I would also have days where I would feel very good, but never really "out of controll good"
Anyhow, I suppose the megadoses of fish oil I had been taking, minimized the disorder and perhaps even prevented some of its ugliness.
Anyhow, mood stabalizers work better for me. I am dumb as bricks on them, but my mood dose not take that continuous suicidal fluctiation. I still need a little bit of antidepressant, but I hope that as my life settles down I will not need that.
Linkadge
Posted by SLS on October 30, 2004, at 13:27:42
In reply to Should everyone who has bi-polar be catergorized??, posted by Kari1 on October 30, 2004, at 12:52:50
Determining what subtype of bipolar disorder one has can be helpful when choosing treatments. For instance, lithium is the preferred mood stabilizer for bipolar I, while Depakote is preferred for bipolar II. It is good also to understand the course of the illness that one can expect. Manias do not become that severe when one has bipolar II. If one is a rapid-cycler, it is often necessary to combine mood-stabilizers. Lamictal is often helpful in these situations.
Things can be a bit more complex than this, but categorization of bipolar subtype can be a good place to start, and might ultimately provide a guideline for future treatment options.
Technical Descriptions:Bipolar I: http://www.mentalhealth.com/dis1/p21-md02.html
Bipolar II: http://www.mentalhealth.com/dis1/p21-md05.html
- Scott
Posted by Newwife on October 30, 2004, at 15:27:54
In reply to Re: Should everyone who has bi-polar be catergorized??, posted by SLS on October 30, 2004, at 13:27:42
i have been diagnosed with bipolar 1. i am have an issue with mood swings. i go from mean to nice and so on to frequently. i am on zyprexa. from what i understand bi-polar one is the lowest one, i dont know how to put that in words, i hope that make sense. my doc said it means i am not manic depressive or i would be bi-polar 2. hope that helps.---jess
Posted by Clarinette on October 30, 2004, at 18:41:47
In reply to Re: Should everyone who has bi-polar be catergorized??, posted by SLS on October 30, 2004, at 13:27:42
Here is a link which outlines the two principal systems of catagorization, DSM-IV and Akiskal
http://www.psycom.net/depression.central.lieber.html
I agree that knowing the category helps orientate the doctors choice of treatment. It can also help in the acceptance of the illness.
Knowledge is a powerful weapon for overcoming the difficulties of living with bipolar disorder, the more you know about your own illness, the better prepared you will be for facing the ups and downs.
Bon courage,
Clara
This is the end of the thread.
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