What is bipolar?

http://www.moodswingscontrol.com/bipolar.aspx

What is the difference between Bipolar with psychosis (delusions and hallucinations) and Schizophrenia?

That is a very good question.

Bipolar with psychosis is a stage of bipolar, could be in the depressive stage or the hypomanic stage and can be induced by many factors. i.e. no sleep, drugs, withdrawl from meds, such as benzodiazapines,

With Schizophrenia, psychosis is the constant state.

Both are treated with antipsychotics, in bipolar it is only a temporary state of mind.


Bipolar disorder versus schizophrenia
Not every psychosis is schizophrenia (8). After somatic causes for psychotic symptoms (eg, hallucinations, delusions) have been excluded, the presence of a mood disorder should be ruled out before a diagnosis of schizophrenia is considered. A longitudinal course that includes depressive, manic, or mixed episodes concurrent with psychotic symptoms is not consistent with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. The prognoses of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder differ, in that schizophrenia is generally less likely to involve a robust response to treatment and a return to previous level of functioning. Hereditary factors also may differ, although recent information reveals some commonality between the two disorders that requires further research (9).

Medication approaches to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder appear to be converging now that second-generation antipsychotics are available and are approved by the FDA for bipolar mania (10). However, a correct diagnosis is still required to help anticipate the future course of the illness and better plan for long-term medication management. Patients with bipolar disorder may be well maintained on anticonvulsant or lithium monotherapy, whereas this treatment is inadequate for patients with schizophrenia.

RE:http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:dMMfai-fpxcJ:www.postgradmed.com/issues/2005/02_05/citrome.htm+What+is+the+difference+between+bipolar+with+psychosis+and+schizophrenia%3F&hl=en

I've been looking up as much as possible about bipolar and I fear that I have it.

I just don't know, because I meet several item's on the manic criteria, but I don't meet one requirement for the depressive state. Is this possible? Please let me know.

I know in the manic state someone can be irritated and have increased self-esteam. It also cause increased happiness and can invole risk taking.

I know that the depressive state of bipolar is very similar to "clinical depression", which involves hoplessness, guilt, and possibly wanting to commit suicide.

That's all I can contribute for now.

averity05 wrote:I've been looking up as much as possible about bipolar and I fear that I have it.

I just don't know, because I meet several item's on the manic criteria, but I don't meet one requirement for the depressive state. Is this possible? Please let me know.

I know in the manic state someone can be irritated and have increased self-esteam. It also cause increased happiness and can invole risk taking.

I know that the depressive state of bipolar is very similar to "clinical depression", which involves hoplessness, guilt, and possibly wanting to commit suicide.

That's all I can contribute for now.

To be dx'd bipolar you have to have at least one depressive episode lasting at least a week.

A simple question??? Do you find yourself rambling from subject to subject, rudely interrupting others, with connective thinking involved, i.e. "OHyeah, that reminds me of another story..." and then taking hours to get back to the beginning of what you were talking about, but remembering it, such as a full circle effect?

I am bipolar one, so my depressions are far apart, but hit harder than I can describe, because I'm not used to them. Bipolar one is mostly manic. This I have learned to see and control. With many years of self destruction and loss. I can't control my moods, but I can control how I deal with them.

Do you find yourself self medicating?
Do you go days without sleep?
Do you shop without thinking of the consequences?

None of this is meant as stigma toward anyone, as you all know I have been dx'd since my early 20's. So I am speaking from experience and by no means mean to stereotype anyone. I hate stigma

In addition to meds (if your on any...) How do you manage your bipolar episodes?

Hi all!

I've been diagnosed with Bipolar type II. I do recognise the depressive episodes, however the descriptions of hypomania don't apply. My social phobia gets somewhat better during my alleged "hypomanic" periods and I become more social, however I still feel nervous around people and can't relax and be myself. And after a while I redraw again until the next time I start feeling somewhat better and trie to 'enter the world' again. Is this really hypomania? Does it sound like I have hypomanic episodes or have I been misdiagnosed? Isn't one supposed to feel great during hypomania? I feel better yes, somewhat more sociable and start planning for the future, but it doesn't really last. Perhaps I am only 'normal' for a while and then become depressed again and what i really have is so called "dysthymia"? It's very confusing. I am also reluctant to take the medicines I've been prescribed. they are originally for epileptics(??) and can cause serious skin diseases and since I already have problems with my skin it's possible I have a greater risk for developing other diseases too.

A depressive episode is not required for a diagnosis of BP I disorder, is it? Am I missing something in the DSM?

I have never had a major depressive episode. Only manic.

DX bipolar with lithium and zyprexa...

Smile

Thanks for the info