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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by hundredhugs on March 16, 2004, at 5:30:27
I have heard that untreated bipolar gets worse over time but does treated bipolar get worse too? I have gone from bp2 to bp1 (not a severe bp1) and am concerned I am going to continue to get worse. Anyone else hear this?
Hundredhugs
Posted by shiraz on March 16, 2004, at 8:00:24
In reply to Does treated bipolar get worse over time?, posted by hundredhugs on March 16, 2004, at 5:30:27
According to my doctor, untreated bp does get worse
over time in the sense that it leads to rapid cycling which is more debilitating than infrequent
mood swings. For people who respond to meds, bp can
be fully stabilized (12 years in my case). I don't think a doctor would say that you have gone from bp2
to bp1 but that you were bp1 all along and have just
had your first (known) hypomanic episode. I believe
there is some evidence that bp1's respond better to mood stabilizers (lithium, valproic acid) than bp2's so there is a good chance that you have nothing to worry about.
Posted by judy1 on March 16, 2004, at 11:07:48
In reply to Does treated bipolar get worse over time?, posted by hundredhugs on March 16, 2004, at 5:30:27
when you say 'not severe', all manic episodes (in comparison to hypomanic episodes)are considered severe and that is the prerequisite for bp 1. did you mean you did not have to be hospitalized? there is about a 10% rate of crossover from bp2 to bp1 according to the literature. I've been 'treated' for bp 1 for 15 years and have gradually gotten worse. but then nothing really works for me. the mood stabilizers cause depression and the APs have too many side effects-I take them for as short a time as necessary, to relieve my psychotic symptoms. I think one of the biggest contributions to stability is to keep stress levels as low as possible. sorry, you've caught me at a negative time, my pdoc just terminated me.
take care, judy
Posted by HappyGirl on March 16, 2004, at 13:37:48
In reply to Does treated bipolar get worse over time?, posted by hundredhugs on March 16, 2004, at 5:30:27
Hi:
In my case, at the beginning of dx'ed with Bipolar, I had no idea/knowledge as to Bipolar, itself, except more than depression. Quite frankly, I was totally happy with Depakote only med. therapy. However, with more knowledge and information earned from the reading and hearing, I DID need more than Depakote as seeing my symptoms, more than milder form.
Therefore, I believe that without a right med./med. combo., your symptoms getting worse like any other illness, such as Diabetes, heart trouble and the like.
H.G.
Posted by Sebastian on March 17, 2004, at 18:15:30
In reply to Re: Does treated bipolar get worse over time? » hundredhugs, posted by judy1 on March 16, 2004, at 11:07:48
Why does your pdoc just terminate you?
Posted by psychosage on March 17, 2004, at 18:40:53
In reply to Does treated bipolar get worse over time?, posted by hundredhugs on March 16, 2004, at 5:30:27
> I have heard that untreated bipolar gets worse over time but does treated bipolar get worse too? I have gone from bp2 to bp1 (not a severe bp1) and am concerned I am going to continue to get worse. Anyone else hear this?
>
> HundredhugsHey, hundredhugs! Good luck with yourself, and here is a big link to many other links, so when you have time you can hunt for more comprehensive information if there is more you want to know. It is hard to find good info on the web.
Meds are great when they work. I take a mood stabilizer myself. I'm sure you've heard that you need to also consider psychotherapy and maintain general health in terms of nutrition and exercise. Naturally, substance abuse which half of bipolars experience is something to avoid or address. That alone created most of my symptoms, and even after a few years of abstinence I have a more sensitized brain that can become manic or depressed without extra substances, booze or even psychiatric drugs {when SSRIs or stims switch a person into mania or an antipsychotic or other sedating agent produces depression and apahy}.
Family, friends, support, knowledge help!
If you want to learn more about the prognosis of bipolar people, try out some books written by them too like Dr. Kay Jamison's _An Unquiet Mind_.
Posted by hundredhugs on March 17, 2004, at 22:05:36
In reply to Re: Does treated bipolar get worse over time? » hundredhugs, posted by judy1 on March 16, 2004, at 11:07:48
I have been in the hospital with my mania and been psychotic. I guess I look around and see other ppl with bipolar 1 with symptoms alot more severe than what I have. My hospital stays are usually short 1 to 1 1/2 weeks. That is why I say I am not as severe.
Hundredhugs
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