[Uykulu]

My father is discharced from hospital today.and diagnosed atypical affective disorder
It is atypical bipolar.he has to take lithium.i searced online but i didnt find any information.where can i find detailed article,or do you know this illnes.thank you all

[Tucson]

Maybe it’s lingo that is used between psychiatrists in the field. Like the term “malignant narcissist”. I do not believe “malignant narcissist” can be found in the DSM. Personally, I have not heard of such a thing as atypical affective disorder. Maybe this means that this is an unusual, uncommon form of affective disorder. If this is the case, I would think this is more of a descriptor than a diagnosis. But then there is “atypical depression” being used as a diagnosis that comes with a specific set of symptoms.

FWIW

[Uykulu]

Thanks it is atypical features with bipolar disorder i guess

I think it’s just old DSM III language.

It would probably either be bipolar type II or bipolar NOS now (something other than bipolar type 1).

Maybe the pdoc doesn’t believe in BP II. My regular doc says he thinks that’s why I have different dxs from different pdocs. He said some of them don’t believe BP II is a legitimate dx.

It doesn’t matter, really. Some people say it is for insurance purposes. I guess.

I was curious about this, too, so looked in my DSM-5. I'm assuming your dad is from the US? The DSM-5 might not be completely the same as the diagnostic manual outside the US.

According to the DSM-5, I'm guessing (he should confirm this with his psychiatrist) that the "atypical" is based on a specifier for the bipolar type that he has (1, II, Cyclothymia, etc.). By specifier, I'm referring to extra descriptions like "with mixed features", "with rapid cycling", "with anxious distress", etc.

On page 151 of the DSM-5, the specifier "With atypical features" is described as follows:

"With atypical features: This specifier can be applied when these features predominate during the majority of days of the current or most recent major depressive episode.

A. Mood reactivity (i.e., mood brightens in response to actual or potential positive events).

B: Two (or more) of the following features:
1. Significant weight gain or increase in appetite
2. Hypersomnia
3. Leaden paralysis (i.e., heavy, leaden feeling in arms or legs).
4. A long-standing pattern of interpersonal rejection sensitivity (not limited to episodes of mood disturbance) that results in significant social or occupational impairment.

C. Criteria are not met for "with melancholic features" or "with catatonia" during the same episode.

Note: "Atypical depression" has historical significance..."

[I won't finish typing the note on this specifier. It's too much typing for me. They pretty much expand a little on the above.]

I think that if his doctor is not exactly referring to the above, that Tucson may have a point in the idea of a "lingo" or something similar. Given that, if I were your dad, I'd definitely ask why this "atypical" designation was given to him.

[Tucson]

This is very interesting! You have a copy of the DSM-5? Nice. Is the description on specifically the “atypical” modifier itself new to the DSM-5?

As an aside, I found both the complete DSM-5, ICD, and the DSM-5 Update on the Internet in the form of PDFs. I have some reading to do. It will take some time to just figure out where everything is in the book. I am glad GoodReader has a search function.

Yes, I decided to buy the DSM-5 when taking an Abnormal Psychology course. It is very helpful. That's good that the update is available online.

I'm not certain if "atypical" is a new description. I never read the DSM-IV. I know that the way the specifiers are used is new compared to in the DSM-IV. I've seen a bit of the coding, but would need to learn more.

Here is an article about classic vs. atypical.

I find it interesting—classic is what a book I listened to on YouTube called classic bipolar aka bipolar type 1.

Atypical seems more common indeed:

Two Categories of Bipolar Disorder That Can Change Treatment | Psychiatric Times

[*Laurie*]

An excellent article, k_t. Thank you for that link.

Yes, thanks for sharing that, key tones!

[Uykulu]

Thanks very much all all information you gave me helped a lot.we are not from us or english speaking country sorry for bad english . it diagnosed with DSM-5 criteria.atypical mood disorder they say i dont know it is just limo.but when i search it is categorised fourth titled bipolar i mean not bp 1 or 2 and third is cyclotymic and fourth is mixed doctor said whey they think that my father is angry, anxies,when he has no attack .for example he loves us very much ,tried to make us have good education. but he beated us ,insult us when we are a children i get slapped even when i was 22 to protect my sister because my father was beating her,and it was our religious day.and he is a religion man he beated my sister only she was making noise she was 15 then when my father was sleeping,he cant beat us anytime but in our religious day it is pittier.because everyone should be more polite with eachother on that day for our religion.

***trigger***

I don’t think bipolar is the only problem with your father.

My mother was like that—she beat me and kicked me down the basement stairs on my 10th birthday just because I asked where my birthday cake was? She had always gotten me one before, and we were wealthy at this point (we had a crazy existence—sometimes wealthy, sometimes poor). She said I was fat and ugly, and she hated me, wished she and I were both dead...so forget about a birthday cake and presents.

She blew at me weekly like this, and holidays, especially Christmas were dangerous days especially in my teen years. She would have physical screaming fights with my stepfather. When I was in my late 30s, the police told me my stepfather called them a lot because she would not stop attacking him, and he would be bloody with welt marks when they showed up. She would be a maniac throwing things and screaming...

I had problems with her assaulting others too (getting into disputes with people).

So yes, when she wasn’t having these fits, she could be a loving person. She put me through college and bought me a house.

She was bipolar, schizophrenic, really paranoid, she was depressed, constantly anxious (often screaming, “I’m so nervous!!”). She had a very extreme case of borderline personality disorder. She had a raging temper she couldn’t control. She claimed that she didn’t remember anything about beating anyone. Her social worker told me she believed her. I don’t know if she really had amnesia. She was a big liar and never felt any remorse, because she never did anything wrong!! She believed she was perfect and the most beautiful person and people, strangers, showed up wherever she went because of her. Frankly, she also fits narssistic personality disorder too.

I never understood which diagnosis was the reason for her to assault people in her rage attacks, which could happen at *any* time, not during a specific period of mania. Anyone or anything could set her off at anytime. How can this be bipolar?? Bipolar is episodic.

The only med that resolved her rage attacks was a hefty dose of the drug orap (this is important—orap is an antipsychotic). She was on a fistful of other drugs too. Nothing resolved her depression. She made a suicide attempt that could have done her in, and six years later she completed suicide. They had tried many, many drugs but nothing touched her depression.

Anyway, I’m bipolar, and I do not do beat people no matter what stage of bipolar I’m in. My daughter has never been spanked. I do not even swat my cats. Never. I’m a classic type I bipolar.

I think you should look at personality disorders and talk to the doctor if he has behavior patterns that fit those too.

My mom refused therapy that I think would have helped her with rage—like DBT therapy.

[5150DirtDiva]

THIS.

Being abusive is not part of bipolar.

Key tones is right other help is required.

Originally Posted by key tones

***trigger***

I don’t think bipolar is the only problem with your father.

My mother was like that—she beat me and kicked me down the basement stairs on my 10th birthday just because I asked where my birthday cake was? She had always gotten me one before, and we were wealthy at this point (we had a crazy existence—sometimes wealthy, sometimes poor). She said I was fat and ugly, and she hated me, wished she and I were both dead...so forget about a birthday cake and presents.

She blew at me weekly like this, and holidays, especially Christmas were dangerous days especially in my teen years. She would have physical screaming fights with my stepfather. When I was in my late 30s, the police told me my stepfather called them a lot because she would not stop attacking him, and he would be bloody with welt marks when they showed up. She would be a maniac throwing things and screaming...

I had problems with her assaulting others too (getting into disputes with people).

So yes, when she wasn’t having these fits, she could be a loving person. She put me through college and bought me a house.

She was bipolar, schizophrenic, really paranoid, she was depressed, constantly anxious (often screaming, “I’m so nervous!!”). She had a very extreme case of borderline personality disorder. She had a raging temper she couldn’t control. She claimed that she didn’t remember anything about beating anyone. Her social worker told me she believed her. I don’t know if she really had amnesia. She was a big liar and never felt any remorse, because she never did anything wrong!! She believed she was perfect and the most beautiful person and people, strangers, showed up wherever she went because of her. Frankly, she also fits narssistic personality disorder too.

I never understood which diagnosis was the reason for her to assault people in her rage attacks, which could happen at *any* time, not during a specific period of mania. Anyone or anything could set her off at anytime. How can this be bipolar?? Bipolar is episodic.

The only med that resolved her rage attacks was a hefty dose of the drug orap (this is important—orap is an antipsychotic). She was on a fistful of other drugs too. Nothing resolved her depression. She made a suicide attempt that could have done her in, and six years later she completed suicide. They had tried many, many drugs but nothing touched her depression.

Anyway, I’m bipolar, and I do not do beat people no matter what stage of bipolar I’m in. My daughter has never been spanked. I do not even swat my cats. Never. I’m a classic type I bipolar.

I think you should look at personality disorders and talk to the doctor if he has behavior patterns that fit those too.

My mom refused therapy that I think would have helped her with rage—like DBT therapy.