[FerretGuy5]

When I first began treatment for depression, several doctors seemed bent on diagnosing me as bi-polar, though I had no trace of elated, maniac or active episodes. So failing to make that diagnosis, they decided to call it mono-polar and treat it like bi-polar with a combination of Prozac and Lithium. So far I have yet to hear of mono-polar as a DSZM-IV diagnosis. That got dropped on the diagnosis about 19 years ago. I keep thinking the early treatment was with a bunch of billed poultry though. (quacks)

[Berries]

never heard of mono-polar. I've heard of uni-polar. I just assumed it was another word for major depression. Maybe I'm wrong though.

Is mono-polar or uni-polar a type of bipolar and not just another word for major depression?

You got me thinking, Budy!

[skeeweeaka]

Originally Posted by FerretGuy5

When I first began treatment for depression, several doctors seemed bent on diagnosing me as bi-polar, though I had no trace of elated, maniac or active episodes. So failing to make that diagnosis, they decided to call it mono-polar and treat it like bi-polar with a combination of Prozac and Lithium. So far I have yet to hear of mono-polar as a DSZM-IV diagnosis. That got dropped on the diagnosis about 19 years ago. I keep thinking the early treatment was with a bunch of billed poultry though. (quacks)

I think misdiagnosis happens quite often unfortunately. Doctors mean well but many people are given diagnoses of bipolar or depression, etc. only to find out that they have other conditions down the road... There are some that NEVER find out...heavy sigh!

I know that you are a man, but you could still have something else going on that is not psychiatric-related...the symptoms you are having COULD be related to something else! The problem is getting doctors to delve into these matters, as well as interpreting the lab testing CORRECTLY. Sometimes you can be told that your hormones...in my case...thyroid is normal. But when I asked for copies of the tests they were at the LOW END of the normal range... Now upon further investigation and further research, I learned that the symptoms were consistent with bipolar disease...hyperthyroidism.... Unfortunately, it is hard to find a doctor to treat the symptoms unless the labs are COMPLETELY out of the range... So most people have to see Alternative/DO's/Naturopaths to get proper treatment!

Check out this post...http://forums.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=89438

TJ

[browneyedgrl3333]

heh. sounds like your original doc was a little crazy him/herself.
mono-polar?
That would literally mean you were either manic or depressed all of the time and you wouldnt even be capable of feeling otherwise... At least, that would be my impression of the term 'mono-polar'
To answer your question, no. I have never heard of the diagnosis of mono-polar.
I've never even heard that term before.

Good luck otherwise