Bipolar 101 -- Answers to basic questions

Hi, The best way to find out is to see a doctor who will ask many questions and there are tests (questionnaires) to get a broader picture : Type of bipolar.
After that, some treatment will be given in relation with the current situation.
Other professional help could always be added, such as Psychotherapy, group therapy, social worker and so on.
Good luck and take care.

Unfortunately Lots of medicine for the rest of your life..

this was proposed for me but my husband and I chose not to go through with it because of possible memory loss. Research this online B4 going through it.

is this heradatory? do you start as adhd then go to bipolor or schizo? my kids have devloped mental illness and the dr said we wil worry when the time is right.. drives me nutty..

Is it really hereditary with ADHD? Because I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was but a baby, and about a year and a few months ago I started worrying about being bipolar, due to my humongous mood swings from angry to sad... That would give me one more reason to look for help!

I'm new to this too, but the sooner you ask for help, the better....wouldn't hurt to hear the words "nope, you don't have bipolar"!

Bipolar Disorder is often misdiagnosed as ADHD in children as was the case with me. Dr.s juggled me from on ADHD med to another and never found on that worked for me but as an adult I started seeing a therapist and got diagnosed as Bipolar. FYI, among the many symptoms I have, one of the things that made her realize I was BP was the ADHD meds make me violent.

ME TOO! i just found out im BP2 and im 28

Yes, manic depression/bipolar disorder is hereditary. I speak from personal experience, as I am a fourth generation battling this illness. I've suffered for 25 years.

As a parent, you need to know that more often than not, a child may be diagnosed ADHD and they'll throw several other things into that, be wary if it is not fully explained to you. It may be an accurate diagnosis, but it could also be something else entirely. If a doctor isn't listening to you or your intuition is telling you that the diagnosis might be wrong, seek a second opinion, or a third. Many people have to "shop around" until they find the right doctor(s) who isn't afraid to correctly diagnose, as well as medicate if it is truly necessary.

Bipolar has many facets to it, which is why it sometimes takes years for an accurate diagnosis. Schizophrenia is something else entirely. My recommendiation is to get on-line, do as much research as possible, and always research your doctors ahead of time. I make it a habit to ask a doctor's employees whether or not they would go to him/her if they were faced with the same problem(s). That advice has helped me find people that truly care. Most importantly, communicate to your children that this is not, in any way, their fault. I hope this helps.

I have been bipolar for 17 years (diagnosed and treated with medications). I was born bipolar but was not treated for the illness until I was 23 years old. What I have learned is that it is a mental illness that is genetically passed to us from our parents and their parents. You can break down genetic to genes inherited from our parents and also behaviors we learn from our parents and surroundings. In my opinion IF your kids are properly diagnosed they will keep their diagnoses for life. Mental illnesses are not like the cold or flu. They are not contagious. They do not go away. I do suggest you use a mental health care for the diagnoses and treatment because they deal with nothing but mental illnesses. It takes a lot of research and reading and asking questions. I have read alot and know a lot but I still dont have complete control of my bipolar 1 with mania. Wish you well.

my son has a mental illness as well and no diagnosis because of his age. However his illness( what ever one it is) is keeping him from learning in school being able to attend regular classes and cant engage in summer camp or school activity's. He's been on numerous meds and the doc is lost. I need help too! It's making me crazy!

I just read a great article online about bp in children....and the importance of them getting treatment early on....otherwise they will, because of mood swings, etc be set apart from there friends and feel self conscious (my words, but this article described me to a T.) I suffered all my life with this....my words of advise, get them help, fast, the sooner the better...don't wait until things are out of control.

Yes its genetic. I've read a new theory that researchers have narrowed down the genetic code more closely. There is strong evidence of different brain structure and physiological differences as well.

My therapist said that Bipolar often seems to be ADHD in children and when older the mood swings become more apparent. he also said that adults with ADHD lose their hyperactivity thus, a hyperactive adult, ruling out stimulant or high caffeine use, is probably a hypomanic or manic episode. I told him without depression I'm always hyper so it must be ADHD, he said no that I just normally float on the high side. It makes sense.

Not sure if it's exactly heraditory or not, but you are more likely to have it if someone else in your family has it. At the same time, it is possible to have it even if no one else in your family has it; I guess it's a "yes" AND "no." I think sometimes when someone is raised by someone with a mental illness, it is possible to pick up some of the parents' traits, even if the child doesn't have the MI. Of course, I have no proof or research to back that up, but I think it is possible.

As far as the ADHD, I have heard that many people with Bipolar are often misdiagnosed as having ADHD, and/or schizophrenia. But outside of that, I'm not sure.

Hello, Bipolar is usually hereditary and is known for "skipping" generations. It DOES NOT start out as any other type of disorder and progress into Bipolar
(example: HIV progresses to AIDS)

Can you clarify the "developed mental illnesses" please.

If in the future, your kid(s) "develop" or show signs any type of mental illness, there is nothing you can currently do at this moment. And worrying about it will not prevent it or make it happen. There is no "cure" or medicine that can prevent any future illnesses. So yes your doctor is correct, it is something to be looked into in the future, if any symptoms and signs arise.

I have Bipolar I (and a few side effects from it). My uncle was severely schizophrenic, my grandfather had Bipolar I, and my Aunt had a depressive disorder. One of my brothers suffers from major depression. My other brother has some pretty big mental issues but we can't convince him to see someone about it (he is 38).

I hear varying accounts about the genetic link with Bipolar/Schizo. Most of them seem to be converging towards: THERE IS A HEREDITARY COMPONENT. My example, is purely anecdotal and does not prove anything.

I have read that there is no single gene that has been isolated.

I did not know this. Could you provide a reference? I would love some extra reading.

My understanding, as with so many other things, is that there are so many grey areas. There is no black and white. You may be predisposed to developing this imbalance of chemical production and regulation that we call bipolar disorder I/II. You could be born with this, but by life's circumstances, not develop enough of the conditions to fall under the category of BP I/II.

The example I've heard before related this to Diabetes. People are born with certain predispositions. Some will easily develop it later in life. This susceptibility is genetic, among other things. Lifestyle or life events may also bring on the onset of diabetes. The continuous "misuse" of the body's organs and systems leads to hard-to-reverse or irreversible condition.

Bipolar I/II is "almost" like that. Some exceptions being:
- one single life event could "trigger" BP. All of a sudden, your brain may not be able to regulate these chemicals. Leave it untreated and it can get worse. The worse it gets, the more your brain will have problems getting back to a more normal state.
- Sometimes, regardless of what you do, it just starts to develop. Unregulated chemicals create a mess, this mess causes life messes, which in turn make your chemicals go all over the places, and the cycle continues.

And once you see the first symptoms (don't jump the gun) there are things you can do to decrease the probability of a quick progression of the illness. You can stabilize earlier, rather than later. It's not 100%. But it beats waiting around to see what happens.

I fear for my daughter given my family's history of mental illness AND my wife's. We gave her a raw deal. But it's not all doom and gloom. I am a successful professional and have embraced the positive side of Bipolar Disorder. The creativity and even the mania have helped me achieve many things. It is now controlled so I am not sure what will happen. I am on four medications, almost at full strength, and it does numb the power I used to feel. The alternative (pre-meds), although fantastic at points, is not worth the negative and disastrous effects on my life.

For the most part mental illness can be directly linked to family history of mental illness. Meaning that if your Mother had diagnoses of Bipolar Disorder you, her daughter/son is more likely to exhibit symptoms of bipolar disorder. But only more likely, other things like environment child is raised in and which genetics child obtains from parent can determine likelihood of symptoms developing in child. Age of onset of symptoms of bipolar disorder is mid teens early 20s as far as i am aware.
Also one does not start with having symptoms of ADHD and then end up with Bipolar Disorder, the two disorder are connected like that. Although with some disorders there is a high likelihood that you will have one and the other. For example there is a high rate of individuals who have symptoms of depression AND symptoms of anxiety. We call that co-morbidity, when two disorders have a high chance of dual diagnoses. In the same respect ADHD does not result in schizophrenia.
As someone who has minimal experience in behavioral health and is NOT a doctor I would recommend taking your doctors advice to heart and not worry about what could or will happen down the road. If your child is exhibiting symptoms of ADHD then worry about THAT now, and maybe do some research on coping mechanisms for children with ADHD, for example maybe your child NEEDS to move in order to learn, or pay attention. Personally I know if I am in a lecture I need something to do with my hands otherwise I can't focus. Maybe talk to his teachers and see if it would be ok (if not too distracting for the other children) if he stands in the back, or has something to fiddle with at his desk. Maybe that will help. But like I said, I am not a doctor, nor am I counselor. Please take your doctors advice.

quote=mysteriousstar;791263]is this heradatory? do you start as adhd then go to bipolor or schizo? my kids have devloped mental illness and the dr said we wil worry when the time is right.. drives me nutty..[/quote]
From what I understand, it could be. I know that you're more likely to have it if someone else in your family has it. Like, I have it, and my late nephew had it [he passed away several years ago]. I also have another nephew with schizophrenia, another one with PTSD and chronic pain, and another who's a psychopath. I'm pretty sure that my son and one of my sisters have some type of un-diagnosed MI. There is also a lot of alcoholism and drug addiction in my family.

Sorry for the rant. I am rooting for you. I know it can be nerve wracking.

Bipolar Disorder can be hereditary. As far as starting as ADHD & going into Bipolar, I'm not 100% certain, but I have read some articles where they do talk about how they can go hand in hand in some cases at least. If you are concerned about them I would maybe seek a second opinion.

I do believe bipolar is genetic.
With regard to ADHD becoming bipolar, I think that's a case of misdiagnosis and revision when the pattern of cycling becomes clear at a later age.