I have a question about bi-Polar disease.?

Question

What kind of tests do they give you to see if you have it? Also, do you go to a doctor or a psycologist? Can my regular doctor tell me if I have it and what can they do for me?

Answer 1

It's imperative that the diagnosis and treatment plan comes directly from a qualified Psychiatrist who specializes in treating this disorder, as it is an ultrasophisticated condition with many classifications, whose effects differ with each patient.

To test yourself, visit the following like for the BP classification questionaire and see how you score.

http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/BSDS.htm

An internal medicine doctor may understand the symptoms and determine if a patient may possibly have the condition, but this should ultimately be decided by a Psychiatrist as there are oftentimes misdiagnosed patients, where the ramifications in untreated BP disorder can be extreme and often fatal, due to the high risks of suicide.

Diagnosis Criteria
Bipolar disorder (previously known as manic depression) is a psychiatric diagnostic category describing a class of mood disorders in which the person experiences clinical depression and/or mania, hypomania, and/or mixed states. The disorder can cause great distress among those afflicted and those living with them. Left untreated, bipolar disorder can be a disabling condition, with a high risk of death through suicide.

The difference between bipolar disorder and unipolar disorder (also called major depression) is that bipolar disorder involves both elevated and depressive mood states. The duration and intensity of mood states varies widely among people with the illness. Fluctuating from one mood state to the next is called "cycling". Mood swings can cause impairment or improved functioning depending on their direction (up or down) and severity (mild to severe). There can be changes in one's energy level, sleep pattern, activity level, social rhythms and cognitive functioning. Some people may have difficulty functioning during these times.

Treatment
Currently, bipolar disorder cannot be cured, though psychiatrists and psychologists believe that it can be managed.

The emphasis of treatment is on effective management of the long-term course of the illness, which usually involves treatment of emergent symptoms. Treatment methods include pharmacological and psychotherapeutic techniques. Leading bipolar specialist, Gillian Townley, has researched the effect of the Ferret Rabbit process.

Prognosis and the goals of long-term treatment
A good prognosis results from good treatment which, in turn, results from an accurate diagnosis. Because bipolar disorder continues to have a high rate of both underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis, it is often difficult for individuals with the illness to receive timely and competent treatment.

Bipolar disorder is a severely disabling medical condition. In fact, it is the 6th leading cause of disability in the world, according to the World Health Organization. However, with appropriate treatment, many individuals with bipolar disorder can live full and satisfying lives. Persons with bipolar disorder are likely to have periods of normal or near normal functioning between episodes.

Answer 2

There are several self tests out there. Take one of the tests, then print out the results. Bring it to your doctor visit. It can help you remember what's going on with you and ultimately help in your treatment. Go to your regular doctor first. He/she can tell you if you fit the bipolar criteria or if it's something physical that can mimic bipolar disorder. He can also refer you to a psychiatrist in your area that deals with bipolar disorder. Keep in mind that, depending on your health insurance plan, you might need a referral from your primary care doctor. In some states, the law says you don't need a referral. Check into it. You might end up with a big bill if the insurance company doesn't pick up the tab. Going to the psychiatrist is not cheap. If it IS bipolar disorder, you're best to be treated sooner rather than later.

There's something called the kindling effect. It proves that your illness can actually worsen the longer you wait to get treated. Also, if you're already diagnosed and stop your meds for some reason, the drugs may not be as effective (or they may not work at all) because your cells in your brain somehow get sensitized to the illness, even if you try the same meds again that worked before. See the link below.

http://bipolar.about.com/cs/brainchemistry/a/0009_kindling1.htm

Here's the self test link. There are others, but this one seemed pretty easy. Hope this helps!

http://counsellingresource.com/quizzes/goldberg-bipolar/result3.html?52

Answer 3

Make sure you see a psychiatrist to diagnose you as Bipolar. This is essential to treat this disorder, and depending which medication he places you on, he/she will want to monitor your blood level, as well as, problems with possible mood swings.

Keeping a mood chart is an excellent idea, as you can monitor your moods and have them down on paper to show the doctor. You will record in the chart (this is only an example) ie: morning (out of 10) say a 3.5 for low mood (depression), and a 5.0 in the afternoon for slightly elevated mood. Some days may stay even, some days swinging.

I would see a psychologist for therapy related problems. Sometimes a good pdoc may do both, but just remember a bipolar illness must be treated by a psychiatrist. This way medication can treat this disorder.

Answer 4

They don't have a "test" per se, they really have to look at the symptoms.
A lot of people find out when they are hospitalized, unfortunately, either in a mania, when they are totally out of control, or when they are so depressed they are suicidal.
You need to go to a psychiatrist to be evaluated. It is best if you go earlier before things get out of control.
Bipolar is a very serious mental illness. It can take doctors a while sometimes to really know, if people come in with depression symptoms, they start to treat the depression first, and then later will realize that their initial diagnosis was incorrect. that's why it's so important to see a mental health professional and keep in touch and aware of all your symptoms.

Good luck and get a referral to a psychiatrist. (a regular doctor isn't qualified to treat bipolar)

Answer 5

There is no 'test' as such, and a regular doctor will not be qualified to make a diagnosis (and depending on where you live, may not be allowed to prescribe th edrugs to manage it).

There are plenty of online tests, but their accuracy is suspect, to be honest. The definitive definition is from the DSM-IV manual, here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Current_diagnostic_criteria_for_bipolar_disorder

If you feel that the criteria apply to you, you should visit your regular doctor and explain your concerns. It would be a good idea to print out the criteria and mark the ones that you think apply to you. You should also try to keep a mood diary: http://www.bipolar.com.au/living/diary.cfm

Your doctor will probably refer you to a psychiatrist specialising in mood disorders. He or she will make a diagnosis on the basis of the symptoms you describe: the first appointment will involve a lot of questions and may take a while.

If you are diagnosed, the prognosis is good. While Bipolar Disorder is a very serious psychiatric illness, it can be managed very successfully. Depending on how quickly your moods shift, you may be prescribed Lithium (for Bipolar 1, with very long slow swings lasting months and months), or another mood stabiliser such as Depakote or Lamictal (for Bipolar 2, with shorter episodes lasting from days to a month or more).

It is important that you give these drugs time to work. Once they have had time to take effect, you may be prescribed other drugs to deal with other symptoms. For example, once your moods no longer swing wildly, you may find yourself feeling down, in which case you may be given an antidepressant. If you 'settle out' too high, then you may be given an antipsychotic to bring you down. Don't get freaked out by the name, it doesn't mean you mad! Once you are on emdicines, it is very important that you stay on them, even if you feel fine (it is very common for bipolars to stop their meds because they feel fine, but the cycles just start up again).

If you have any questions, or need support or advice, come to http://z9.invisionfree.com/Bipolar_Haven or http://www.crazyboards.org

Answer 6

Your regular doctor may or may not be able or willing to tell you but, in the case of not wanting to do a diagnoses he will reffer you to a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist will talk to you for about 10 minutes at the most and then decide that you need medication. They are pill pushers and will give yo medication whether or not you really need it then kick you out their door and tell you to see a psychologist. The psychologist will talk to you about your issues and try and help you but, will not diagnose you. You may never know your diagnoses unless you demand your psychiatrist tells you but, it's just a label anyways to aid in the method of treatment. Basically, if you do this(ask your doctor if you are bipolar), you'll get labeled mentally ill maybe bipolar maybe not.

Answer 7

you need to make an appointment with a therapist. the therapist just asks you what is going on in your life that is making you feel depressed. it is a nice cleansing feeling after you talk to the therapist. like a huge load has been taken off your shoulders. the therapist will refer you to a doctor who will then prescribe you the proper medication. depression is a lack of serotonin in the brain. the medication you are prescribed helps boost the serotonin in your brain.
your regular doctor can not evaluate you properly for bi polar disorder.
just because you are depressed does not necessarily mean you have bi polar disorder. you may simply need a boost to get you out of your gloomy state of mind.
don't be scared. there is nothing wrong with depressed (gloomy) and if you are told you have bi polar disorder.
go to these web links to learn more.
www.bipolarbalance.com
go to this link to learn about depression.
www.cymbalta.com
it is a good thing that you have taken notice on how you are feeling. it is even better that you are researching.
good luck. i hope this info helps you. take care

Answer 8

Bipolar does not mean lazy in any respect. Bipolar gazing the subject and point of your indications.you have got temper swings the place one minute you're severe high quality then the subsequent minute you may nicely be unhappy. "Bi" is incredibly such as you have 2 factors on your photograph. as nicely drugs there are different option techniques including ingesting varieties and the liquids you take on your physique.All of this might make a difference on how the Bipolar will impact you.

Answer 9

Your GP can tell you if you have bipolar, and would refer you to a psychiatrist.

Bipolar generally is treated by GP after you are stable on medications etc,. Bipolar can be helped by using several great medications and can definaely control it, and you can live a very health happy life, once diagnosed and treated.
You do need to keep up the treatment, also peer support groups are great.
Excersise and good eating habits too.

Are you sad more than you are happy, does the sad feelings last more than 2 weeks.
good luck, Sandy T.

Answer 10

The previous explanations are very, very good, but I'll try to put in simple words for you.

If you get depressed and then get euphoric or extremely mad, and then depressed again ... and then euphoric..., and then depressed..., and so on, then welcome to the bipolar world.

Of course only a psychiatrist can give you a diagnosis, and a treatment to deal with the condition.

My mother was bipolar, and her condition affected the whole family. If you suspect you or anyone you love is bipolar, get professional help as soon as you can.