Question:
I have severed, by mutual agreement, the relationship with my psychiatrist
of the past several years. My objective herein is to describe myself and my
my treatment to become a better informed patient. I will be seeking a
replacement psychiatrist and feel that I would like to possibly recognize if
the one I choose is right for me.. QUESTION: what are the differences in the treatment of bi-polar versus
the treatment for clinical depression?
Any suggestions on picking a mental health
professional without going into the task "blind"?
Answer:
I was diagnosed with depression on my teens. Nearly twenty
years later my marriage broke up as a direct result of the true
situation being uncovered. I'm severely Bipolar with a 9-day
cycle, and even with the usual drugs I can't fully control it.
I'm a keen ham radio operator (callsign GM3POI) and it's
the only thing that's kept me together for more years
than I can remember. I can recommend radio as something
to focus on. It works for me during the spells when I'm not
sure how to get through another day and the world terrifies me.
If they had diagnosed me correctly all those years ago as
Bipolar and not simply depressed then maybe it would have
been easier to cope. Who knows. I haven't read others' responses, so when you consider everyone's
responses, consider mine to be independent. If it should agree with
others', that would be great. Bipolar II
Differences in treatment:
Lithium vs. antidepressants (one possibility).
Lithium vs. xanax (another possibility)
Lithium vs. xanax AND antidepressants
In other words, if you are bipolar, any competent practitioner would
try you on lithium. Xanax can be devastating (and a depressant) to
people who are bipolar rather than unipolar depressed. I know this
because I've seen it, but it's rare. Xanax plus bipolar can MIMICK
depression. Anti-depressants plus lithium can cause rapid-cycling
(more manic) illness than otherwise (especially if you're type II).
This is a delicate business. There are other treatments as well -
that one would try BEFORE xanax or antidepressants. I'm hoping
you can see how far down the chain the xanax and/or antidepressants
would be, with the differential diagnosis.
None of these states are true for all bipolars or all depressives, but
I've seen it and observed it closely in some bipolar II's who were
treated as anxious and/or depressed instead of properly.
Lamictal is working pretty good for me with zero side-effects
now that I've ramped up to therapeutic dose.
