Is mania provoked by drugs still considered grounds for a bipolar diagnosis?

Question

Specifically, speaking off a young person in their twenties, with a family history of bipolar disorder and a personal history of periods of severe depression. They've described mania-like experiences such as persistant racing thoughts including nonsense phrases rapidly cycling through their head, aggitation, and restlessness. However, at the time they were also on an antidepressant and also likely aggitated by a depressant leaving their body, alcohol specifically.
Would such a 'manic' experience be grounds for a diagnosis of bipolar disorder?

I am aware that antidepressants have been known to exacerbate the problems of someone in a manic or mixed state. The person in question uses Effexor and has had success with it in the past, and has never experienced an episode of this type in previous occasions of mixing alcohol and antidepressants.

Answer 1

No, it's not grounds for a diagnosis.

However, it is a clue!

The young person needs to journal their moods, including events and medications, and if they are having manic-like side effects they definately need to be talking to their doctor about a change.

Answer 2

Probably yes. "Manic" episodes are much more visible for psychiatrists to make a diagnoses with those expected to have bipolar. They almost have a checklist, such as racing thoughts, irritability, insomnia,etc. With a family history of bipolar disorder, (depending on how close the relative is) it increases the chances of having bi-polar. Periods of having severe depression, the person being in their twenties and what sounds like an episode of mania would probably be sufficient grounds for a diagnoses. Alcohol & antidepressants never mix, but I've never heard of a manic episode from the combination. If they're concerned about false diagnoses see another psychiatriatrist. Bipolar.com is a great web-site if you would like to learn more about mania or Biploar Disorder in general. I wish them good mental health.

Answer 3

People with Bipolar disorder are often misdiagnosed at first. the doc may treat the person with antidepressants, thinking that they are depressed. Often, it is at this time that a manic episode comes on. For many Bipolar people, antidepressants can trigger mania.

Different doc's have varying opinions about this, but most things I've read indicate that antidepressants can be the wrong med for a manic-depressive.

A doctor would have to be consulted about the case you are talking about. Yahoo answers isn't the place to get a diagnosis.

I've been treated for bipolar I for over twenty years. I had the same type of experience on antidepressant med's.

Answer 4

If the mania is clearly due to drugs or medications then it's considered a Substance-Induced Mood Disorder.