I always kind of thought it was like Fibromyalgia: Something they know is there but can't quite put their finger on.
Bipolar Disorder
- Thread starter JLM
- Start date
I concur. Everybody has their "break down" at least once in their lives but if you get labeled bi-polar you become a permanent ward of big pharma and Mental Health. Not only do you become a cash cow for pharma, you become a job justification for health bureaucrats.
A health beaucrat pays half the bills around here but she has little belief in the scope of the DSM-IV's inclusions for diagnosis.
SSRI's have created more alleged manics than any other substance or real life situation to date.
SSRI's have created more alleged manics than any other substance or real life situation to date.
Sometimes, a cash cow for pharmaceuticals means they are just addressing a need...the bipolar spectrum affects millions around the world, directly and indirectly. Some drugs work well, others don't. Some work well for some people and not at all for others. That doesn't mean it's fake, or made-up, it just reinforces the need which Curio already mentioned, consultations with health professionals. Ignoring the situation certainly won't help anything...
Bi-polar illness can be traced to heredity factors but those are smaller in number than the issues which seem to be caused by environment and/or development of cells within the brain. It is complex and highly individualistic in its treatment - exhausting for the sufferer and the family members (if they haven't given up help) and doesn't affect recovery without a trial of many drugs and behavior changes.It presents like a mad hatter for a person who has no idea whether Monday will be a frenzied screaming day - a regular day which passes well - or a day of unremitting depression and anger.Many families have to concede and place a sufferer under outside care - but that is in the extreme - and some fortunate people find the right combination of medications and are able to manage a life of normal days although challenged constantly.
OUr niece has had BP for about 15 years and has generally up until the last episode been generally pretty stable, often going for a year without episodes, but invariably sooner or later goes off her medications and that is "fatal". I don't understand why -knowing full well what the results will be (getting really violent and smashing up furniture and appliances resulting in the neighbours calling the cops) she would even think of going off her medication. On them she's absolutely fine, holding down a good job and a very sensible person. Making things worse she's a single mum with an 8 year old boy. My heart just bleeds for my wife's sister and bro-in-law.
Info from National Institute of Mental Health:
NIMH · Bipolar Disorder
Perhaps the info might clear up some confusion with people.
NIMH · Bipolar Disorder
Perhaps the info might clear up some confusion with people.
Over prescription is a problem - so is receiving the correct diagnosis - I have had a number of friends return from afar and SSRI saved them - or they would have as they say done themselves - some are on now off the SSRi's and others are still on them.
Proper counseling along with correct diagnosis and SSRI's have their place as well.
Everything has to change - diet - exercise - lifestyle - and on it goes.
new class out now from what I understand SNRI's -