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Bipolar Disorder/Bipolar II affective mood disorder

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Expert: Joyce A. Anthony - 10/22/2008


Question
Dear Mr.Anthony!

 I would like to ask for your opinion on a medical procedure. Three professional opinions have  been made based on psychiatry exam. Two of them found that the patient (myself) has bipolar II affective mood disorder. The third one disagreed saying that the patient shows no signs of bipolar II affective mood disorder.

                           Due to the disagreements a fourth opinion has been made.

                           However the fourth opinion was based only on the previous three  opinions and not on an exam and it says that the patient does not have bipolar II affective mood disorder.

                           I am most concerned about the fourth opinion and it’s method.

Would you please be so kind and tell me what you think ?

How accurate can the fourth opinion like this one be ?

Can it be accepted as a professional opinion at all (  since there was no exam ) ?

According to the Bipolar II expert(s) and you  what is the generally accepted principle for this type of cases?

                           Thank you for your time and I appreciate your help!

Answer
Hello Atti:

A professional diagnosis should have only been made after careful examination of the patient, including previous medical records.  An opinion based on other opinions should not be considered legal.

                    Joyce A. Anthony

Bipolar Disorder

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Joyce A. Anthony

Expertise

I can answer questions dealing with bipolar disorder in a parent, yourself or your child. I can give suggestions and insight into what can be expected of many medications for bipolar disorder. My most extensive knowledge is in children with bipolar disorder. Here I can give advice on dealing with daily events, schools, medication and professionals.

Experience

I am the daughter of a bipolar/schizophrenic parent, am bipolar myself and am raising a bipolar child. I have a background in Psychology from Gannon University, have run several parenting classes for those parenting bipolar children and have had extensive experience with medications, the school system, homeschooling a special needs child, dealing with counselors, doctors and other professionals in the mental health field. I write for a bipolar website, with the focus on educating the child with bipolar disorder on his/her illness.

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