Expert: Joyce A. Anthony - 9/18/2007

Question
QUESTION: Respected Sir/Mam, I have an Anxiety Disorder with(social phobia) but one my symptoms is rather than Anxiety is <sometimes i feel sad, disappoint, frustrate and sometimes i dont feel sad, feel talkativeness, overreactive> or this is also some kind of Anxiety ? i feel that this is the symptoms of Bipolar i am not sure, how can two mental disorder be present simultaneously in one person ? does my worry make any sense ? it is difficult to diagonise Bipolar from so far but i request to give me some solution for this, thats the only symptoms i have of Bipolar, being an anxious person how can i have Bipolar also or i am in misunderstanding pls let me know.

ANSWER: Hi Manzar:

Yes, a person can have two psychological disorders at the same time.  In fact, bipolar disorder and anxiety are often present.  The only way to know for sure if these symptoms are just part of the anxiety (and they very well could be) or part of something more, is to make an appointment with a doctor and discuss it with him or her.  
         Joyce A. Anthony

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Respected Mam,
         Presence of only one or two Bipolar symptoms like talkativeness, feel sad, mood swings can confirm Bipolar ?

Is there cure available for Bipolar or just only treatment for long life ?

Answer
Hi Manzar:

A diagnosis of bipolar disorder will not be made solely on one or two symptoms.  What will happen is that the doctor will take a history and see if their is a pattern to the mood changes, how long they have been going on and what might trigger them.  Then he or she will be able to make a decision.

Anxiety disorders often appear the same as bipolar, so the doctor will also take that into account when making a diagnosis.

Bipolar disorder can be controlled, but it does not go away.  If theat is the diagnosis, you will most likely be taking medicine the rest of your life.  However, today's medication can be taken without many side effects, unlike those in the past.
         Joyce A. Anthony