Bipolar Disorder

Antipsychotics Best for Controlling Mania

The manic episodes experienced by those with bipolar disorder are better controlled by antipsychotic drugs than mood stabilizers, a new, large study suggests.
Researchers from Italy and the United Kingdom also found that three antipsychotics — first-generation haloperidol (Haldol) along with later formulations of risperidone (Risperdal) and olanzapine (Zyprexa) — outperformed 11 other drugs. The scientists analyzed results from 68 randomized, controlled trials with more than 16,000 participants over a 30-year period. Read More

Can Steroids Cause Bipolar Disorder?

Experts still aren't sure of all the causes of bipolar disorder. But some medical professionals believe that one trigger can be the use of steroid medications.
Steroids, a class of medications that reduce inflammation in the body, are given for a variety of conditions, from asthma to arthritis. Certain people may find that these medications trigger a cycle of behavior typically associated with bipolar disorder, says Donald Freeman, MD, a psychiatrist in Beverly Hills, Calif.  Read More

Anxiety and Bipolar Disorder

Everybody feels anxious at times, and it's only natural to have mood swings in response to the daily ups and downs of living. For some people, however, periods of depression, restlessness, irritation, and anxiety may become so severe that they interfere with work, relationships, and the ability to function normally in society. These may be symptoms of bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, or a combination of both disorders. Read More

Bipolar Disorder: Questions to Ask Your Doctor

While your doctor usually asks the questions during an exam, you can respectfully and proactively take charge, too. In fact, asking the right questions can make a big difference in the way you manage your bipolar disorder. Your health is important both to you and to your doctor, so don't hesitate to inquire about any topic you feel is relevant to your condition, whether it's a question about your bipolar diagnosis, something regarding your bipolar medication, curiosity about complementary or alternative therapies for bipolar disorder, or concern about your emotional health, your financial health, or any other lifestyle issue. Read More

Causes of Bipolar Disorder

Like many other mental illnesses, bipolar disorder tends to run in families. People with this condition often have first-degree relatives (parents, siblings, or children) with the same diagnosis, says Dr. Ruth Wolever, a psychologist and clinical director at the Duke Center for Integrative Medicine at the Duke University School of Medicine. Read More

Can a Person Be Diagnosed with Simultaneous Depression and Bipolar Disorder?

Depression and bipolar disorder are virtually never diagnosed together in the same person at the same time. Both are serious mental disorders that have many treatment options available to a person diagnosed with one of them. However, the treatments between depression and bipolar disorder are fairly significantly different, and the wrong diagnosis could start a person down a road of frustration and lack of improvement in how they're feeling. Read More