 |
|||
|
|
Bipolar disorders/Major depression From my personal experience, I think that it is vital for people to have an understanding about the spectrum of bipolar disorders and what makes them distinct from major depression. Bipolar 1 Disorder, previously known as manic-depression, is associated with a period of mania which is characterized by the following signs and symptoms: increased energy, euphoric mood, grandiosity, racing thoughts, little need for sleep, poor judgment, spending sprees, increased sexual drive, abuse of drugs, particularly alcohol and sleeping medications, denial that anything is wrong, impulsivity, and in its most severe form, frank psychosis with delusions and hallucinations. There is also a depressive phase which mimics the clinical picture of major depression. Some of the symptoms often seen in this phase include: markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all acitivties, most of the day, nearly every day, chronic depressed mood, significant weight gain or loss, insomnia or sleeping too much, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, poor concentration, and recurrent thoughts of death and suicide. The signs and symptoms of the hypomania associated with Bipolar 2 Disorder are similar to the manic symptoms seen in Bipolar 1, but less severe in intensity and are of shorter duration. Chronic anxiety is a hallmark of Bipolar 2 as well. This disorder is also associated with severe depressive episodes. In major depression, there are no signs or symptoms of any form of mania. However the depression common to all three conditions can be equally devastating. The depression associated with Bipolar 2 is often misdiagnosed as major depression because the hypomanic symptoms can sometimes be subtle and are easily missed by physicians. But at times, even the more overt symptoms of the mania associated with Bipolar 1 go undetected or unreported by the patient, and as a result, studies have shown that as many as 40% of both inpatients and outpatients diagnosed with depression are subsequently found to have bipolar disorders. In addition, the prevalence of this psychiatric disorder which was previously believed to affect two million Americans, actually affects close to ten million individuals when both bipolar disorders are considered. Patients like myself, with Bipolar 2, are more frequently misdiagnosed with major depression than those with bipolar 1 for several reasons: 1) Often the patient feels remarkably well when hypomanic and is, therefore, unlikely to spontaneously report these episodes. 2) Patients with Bipolar 2, in contrast to Bipolar 1, do not present with any psychotic symptoms which allows them to fly under the radar screen of clinical detection. Both of these factors were true in my case. A thorough case history as well as an in-depth knowledge of Bipolar 2 Disorder is vital in making the proper diagnosis, particularly since the consequences of misdiagnosing this illness can sometimes mean the difference between life and death. Functional impairment and suicide are substantially greater in bipolar disorders than in major depression. Lifetime risk of suicide attempts among patients with bipolar disorders ranges from 25% to 50%, while estimates of completed suicide are between 10-15%. In addition, the antidepressants used to treat major depression are usually ineffective in the treatment of bipolar disorders, and some studies suggest that they can actually trigger mania. Another class of drugs known as mood stabilizers is used in the treatment of bipolar disorders. Furthermore, if this mood disorder is not properly diagnosed and treated, the illness can increase in severity and intensity. |
||
|
|
|||
 |
|||
|
Home | Excerpt | Bipolar/Depression | Order | Contact |
|||
 |
|||
