Bipolar Disorder/bipolar delusions

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Expert: - 10/6/2008


Question
hello,im jessica. i've been diagnosed bipolar. i currently am taking medication, i havent had an episode in a few months,the last one was a severe depressions that lasted not even two days. a few weeks ago, i started an ADD medication that was not good for people that have mood disorders and i had the common side effects. it triggered one of my most severe eppisoded, i had what appears to be racing thoughts(i was hooked on the same two thoughts,to the point i could not sleep) i had "voices" which i labalize as uncontroled thoughts, i had one very hooked on dellusion. i recently fell outof this,i had relized i had an episode,i freaked out because i had thought i had developed shizsophrinia(excuse my typos) are these symptoms common in these kinda of eppisodes?should i get on an anti physcotic?or stick to my medication?

Answer
Since it seems (from what you've told me) that there's a good possibility that the medication for ADD that isn't recommended for use with bipolar patients, I would strongly suggest making an appointment with your doctor to discuss what your options are for changing the medications you take to control your bipolar symptoms.  I'm not certain why exactly you began taking the ADD med, though I have some concerns with the fact that your doctor made the decision to introduce something that has clearly been advised against use with bipolar persons - knowing that you'd been diagnosed as such.  It may not be a terrible idea if you were to look for another doctor to take over your treatment.

Hope this helped, let me know if I can answer anything else or if what I've said needs to be clarified.

Bipolar Disorder

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Jennifer

Expertise

I am available to answer questions of a general nature about bipolar disorder, provide online resources that address bipolar disorder in a more in-depth manner and sources to serve as a starting point for those looking for substantial information on the illness from a healthcare professional approach. I am not a doctor or a psychiatrist, my background is based in personal experience and extensive reading in my own process of understanding my diagnosis. I can also take questions that deal with the social issues surrounding bipolar disorder such as relationships; coping for family, friends, and the patient; marriage, choosing to start a family and related. Answers to questions of a legal nature will provide general information but anyone with a serious legal problem should consult an attorney licensed to practice in their jurisdiction.

Experience

I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder type II in 2000; as a SSI beneficiary, have experience and knowledge of the limitations and processes involved with the program; I understand the moods, the feelings, the worries, the doubts, and a lot more that there's not enough room to express - from the personal experiences of being bipolar. I have first-hand experience with the challenges of returning to college following hospitalizations and various combinations of medications that were tried before my doctor and I finally arrived at the most effective medication program for my treatment. My family and I have learned so much about each other in the process of dealing with the highs and lows that followed my diagnosis. I've had relationships with someone who also is bipolar and someone that is not - romantic relationships are no easier on either side! I feel that many of the ideas and beliefs that people have regarding bipolar disorder and those who have the condition promote the continuation of social stigmas associated with mental illness in general, and after learning from others with bipolar disorder, hope to guide others who may be trying to navigate the government health care system,& share information on other possible means of obtaining assistance with the cost of medications and/or mental health services and limited financial assistance programs for meeting basic living expenses for qualified individuals, dealing with problems from or with family & loved ones, co-occurring substance abuse problems, medications and side-effects (and when it feels like nothing will work, or why it's not helping the situation to ask whether or not a patient has taken their 'meds' when they seem hostile or moody to those around them).

Education/Credentials
I have a B.A. in Liberal Arts and will earn my J.D. upon completion of the Spring 2011 term after which I will be preparing to take the multi-state bar exam.

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