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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by jrbecker on October 20, 2004, at 9:16:20
not that this is a relatively new finding of course, but an interesting article nonetheless...
http://www.newsisfree.com/iclick/i,57543424,274,f/CPA: Distilled Alcoholic Beverages Worsen Symptoms of Bipolar Depression
By Louise GagnonMONTREAL, QUEBEC -- October 19, 2004 -- Consuming alcoholic spirits exacerbates the symptoms of bipolar depression, according to a study presented here at the 54th Canadian Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting.
"We found that 1 type of alcohol had a consistently negative relationship between symptoms and disability, and that is spirits," said principal investigator Benjamin Goldstein, MD, a psychiatry resident, University of Toronto. "Each type of alcohol -- beer, wine, and spirits -- has some suggestion of having a negative effect on illness. Spirits demonstrated the strongest association." Spirits are defined as distilled rather than fermented alcoholic beverages.
In this study of 84 bipolar patients (a subset of a larger sample population), Dr. Goldstein and his colleagues found statistically significant correlations between lifetime episodes of mania and intake of alcohol spirits, as well as a statistically significant relationship between subjects who drank wine and those who experienced more friction in the workplace. Beer was found to be negatively associated with depressive symptoms.
The subjects with bipolar disorder were measured on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, the Clinician-Administered Rating Scale for Mania (CARS-M), the Social Adjustment Scale, and the Khavari Alcohol Test. Their age of onset for bipolar depression was 21, and two thirds were female. Nearly half (42%) were employed. Their average was 41. Subjects had to have been on a steady dose of a mood-stabiliser for at least 4 weeks.
In comparison to other demographic groups that have been surveyed, bipolar patients consumed less alcohol: Nearly two-thirds of subjects consumed less than 1 alcohol beverage per week.
"This study is not necessarily representative of all bipolar patients, but we found there to be relatively low alcohol consumption compared to other populations, such as college students and veterans," said Dr. Goldstein. "Our next step is to look at a larger sample size of patients and see if the relationship between symptoms and alcohol consumption is predictive. That sample will include [a] follow-up date through 18 months."
The researchers decided to study the impact of alcohol intake on symptoms of bipolar disorder because it is estimated that half of patients with bipolar illness suffer at one point over the course of their illness with an alcohol-use disorder, characterised by alcohol abuse or dependence.
"If you suffer from bipolar disorder and alcohol abuse or dependence at the same time, the likelihood that you will spend more time in hospital [and] have a more severe course of the illness is increased, as is the possibility of suicide and suicidal behaviours," explained Dr. Goldstein.
[Presentation title: "Alcohol Consumption in Bipolar Disorder: Impact on Six-Month Outcome Among Non-Alcoholic Patients." Abstract 50]a
Posted by AdaGrace on October 20, 2004, at 14:22:16
In reply to CPA: Alcohol worsens symptoms of Bipolar disorder, posted by jrbecker on October 20, 2004, at 9:16:20
<In this study of 84 bipolar patients (a subset of a larger sample population), Dr. Goldstein and his colleagues found statistically significant correlations between lifetime episodes of mania and intake of alcohol spirits, as well as a statistically significant relationship between subjects who drank wine and those who experienced more friction in the workplace. Beer was found to be negatively associated with depressive symptoms.>
Does this mean that if I switch from drinking wine to beer that my depression will lessen?
Posted by saw on October 21, 2004, at 1:31:49
In reply to Re: CPA: Alcohol worsens symptoms of Bipolar disorder, posted by AdaGrace on October 20, 2004, at 14:22:16
Posted by Kay-Len on October 21, 2004, at 21:06:10
In reply to Re: CPA: Alcohol worsens symptoms of Bipolar disorder, posted by AdaGrace on October 20, 2004, at 14:22:16
> <In this study of 84 bipolar patients (a subset of a larger sample population), Dr. Goldstein and his colleagues found statistically significant correlations between lifetime episodes of mania and intake of alcohol spirits, as well as a statistically significant relationship between subjects who drank wine and those who experienced more friction in the workplace. Beer was found to be negatively associated with depressive symptoms.>
Hello AdaGrace!
If your serious I would say no....
I am an alcoholic...a real alcoholic...I am now happily sober {almost 10 years} and do not crave...desire...want alcohol anymore ...{AA}..
and ive been upgraded if you want to call it that from the worst case of manic deppression every doctor i went to see told me to today im am what they call hypo manic....no more halucinations...visual or auditory...I have my ups and downs but who doesnt??
oh yes and ...getting sober didnt cure all my problems....just a daily repreive from my alcoholism... life still happens..:)
Hi
>
> Does this mean that if I switch from drinking wine to beer that my depression will lessen?
Posted by Allen770 on October 30, 2004, at 8:09:49
In reply to Re: alcohol bi/polar » AdaGrace, posted by Kay-Len on October 21, 2004, at 21:06:10
This is the end of the thread.
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