arrrrrgggghhhhhh!!! Someone please convince me...

...that all this hype about bipolar disorder and bipolar depression and that most all depression is "now" bipolar disorder...IS NOT just the drug companies pushing their profit margins???!!!!!

I am going absolutely bonkers over all the advertising and pop ups and unders and inserts into most any site I go to and on tv and in the magazines and newspaper...about how "MY" depression is probably really bipolar disorder.

Someone give me some data that isn't funded by pharmaceutical companies. PLEASE.

Sorry Sky can't, read the same stuff but it really did not sound like me. Ask your T. Please hang this up in the closet for now. It ain't worth worrying about.

well...it's really a campaign I believe to make those who might "just" be depressed to tell their doctors they need something for bipolar depression or something yeah, you're right no reason to allow it to affect me (it just does.)

Someone give me some data that isn't funded by pharmaceutical companies. PLEASE

thats like me asking you to point to where the elusive chicken macnugget is on a live chicken, i dont think there is a whole lot of impartial information out there, if any, for us that is not funded by at least 1 pharmaceutical company someware down the line, i will do a web search for you but please dont hold your breath, it could take a while

Sky, I agree with you.

Who but the pharm companies has a vested interest in the studies, so of course they sponsor them. They love to tweak diagoses and symptoms to 'fit' their drugs... the 'designer' drugs are here.

I stopped psych meds a year ago and it has been a battle, but it my battle now and I am counting on therapy to give me lasting results. My friends and family don't agree but I have to do what I have to do.

I hope you and your docs will talk about this so you can feel you trust them to not buy into the latest thing. Be sure he knows of your concerns about this. It does get harder and harder to stay informed and to feel that we are being informed properly and correctly! It's unnerving.

ECHOES

Thanks. I'm not having any problem with MY doctors...just the advertising brainwashing and I want to know where's the data behind this effort????

I figure since it looks like they have run into some "snags" with depression, are advertising you may need "two" meds :-) they figure they might as well turn it into something else similar and start over? :-)

Researchers (versus the drug companies) are learning more all the time and it looks like they may have not been "exact" enough in the past?

http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/...ract/163/2/225

guess I'm just tired of the hype? I'll ask my T if I ever get a moment for the "unimportant stuff"

I have bp. My mother had bp. I've seen the Abilify ad (I take Abilify as well as some other stuff) & I think it gives a good description of the manic, depressive & mixed episodes. I don't think someone with unipolar depression would read that ad & think, "Hey, that's me." I was being treated for "regular" (unipolar) depression for years without good results. Then my internal med doc saw me at a physical where I was crying & deeply depressed, but highly agitated & speedy at the same time. She said, considering my family history, she thought I had bp, put me on Depakote & sent me to a pdoc. It has been the best thing that has happened to me. I can't believe what great results I had on the bp meds. The AD's I had been on pooped out after about 6 weeks & the depression would return. (Plus I never went to the doc when I was manic or hypo manic cuz that feels really good. I didn't know it was a symptom of bp even though my mother had it. She was basically in mental institutions most of the time & finally committed suicide so I didn't really know her). I've had a few relapses (it's been 5 years since I was dxed), but my therapist & pdoc say this is a disorder that you have to manage but you can't cure & you have to be on guard for the signs that you are going into an episode. I would rather have just plain depression cuz that is more accepted in our society. People with bp are often thought to be dangerous due to the news reporting of people committing crimes who have bp, but that is a small percentage. Unfortunately, suicide rates are pretty high with bp people. I've had my share of attempts. Anyway, I don't think bp is the newest fad, but I do think some people who have been treated for unipolar depression are now finding out they really are bp.--Suzy

Maybe it's the docs mostly,they can easily slough off peoples more time consuming to DX physical problems, by saying, "I think you are suffering from depression, here is a script for Zoloft,Wellbutrin,Celexa,etc.", and there goes another person, most likely underdiagnosed for one thing and overdiagnosed/misdiagnosed.
Then if a GP is playing psychiatrist, his or her's lack of expertise in the field of psychiatry, leads to patient dosing and follow ups not precise as it most likely would if patient was seeing the right kind of doc.
Now, new issues come up, patient may still not feel better or even worse, symptoms mimicking "bipolar" behaviour when actually could have been induced from wrong medication(s) along with the wrong DX. This is a growing thing, and it's sad, I'm getting tired of "bipolar" being the new catch all, like ADD/ADHD was a few years ago.
Both disorders exist, they are real, but I think the label is being overused and misused, which in turn more meds become popular.
I have no answers to "why and where" all this is coming/growing from,but personally feel some,not all,is partially the blame of GPs misdiagnosing.
Makes sense, isn't it easier than taking the time and doing a "real" evaluation, ruling out physical issues,one for instance, hypo and hyper thyroidism (both common and yet, under or untreated)both having so many symptoms mimicking the behaviours of depression,mania,and/or hyperactivity.
I'm not taking pharmaceutical companie's sides, even though hubby works for one and I know a little more cause of that, but it's all business,if docs prescribe stuff and it works,the drug companies will make it and vice versa.
We do have to keep in mind,and I know for a fact for his company, a lot of research is put in the makings of medications,years spent for one drug alone,etc.
We all want good mental and physical health and many of us often need some sort of medication,unfortunately,but it's good to know there are ones available.
Yeah, I'm rambling here, I must say I'm tired of all the hype,advertisments,for bipolar meds and stuff making everyone think they are bipolar if they self-test or read all the hooplah.
Years ago I never remember seeing commercials for all these prescription meds.,I'm use to seeing them,but when they first started airing I thought it was cheezy, ha!ha!
I cannot stress enough, that people really need to have a true psychiatric evaluation by a real psychiatrist and then work with whatever the DX is, not some GP,or online self-tests suggest. I was DXed with Bipolar-II(mild) in 2000,before that my Internist would just always say my symptoms were of depression and stress,that all my labwork was fine, "take this pill,try that pill" so I never really was DXed properly till 2000, and it wasn't till 2006 that a physician's assistant found my thyroid nodules,sent me for ultrasound,it took 3 endocrinologists before I found one that listens,and works for you. The medication for the thyroid also helps reduce my depression, cause it "physically" is addressing my thryoid problem, that for too many years went untreated. I don't know if I am making any sense right now,but this post brought out something similar that runs around on my mind too.
Sky, wish I knew what to say, but don't know myself.
Thanks for allowing me to chime in,even vent a bit.
Just my own opinion, not intended to offend anyone.

Sky, as a nutty nurse I feel it is just like all the other drug ads. It is amazing how many ppl think they have this or that b/c they saw some ad (in print or TV) that made them think they had it. Happenes every day and the docs are not really happy with pts who come in and say "well I saw this add and I think I need that med!" ;(

Unfortunately I believe what you're trying not to believe is true. Everywhere you look, offices, articles, websites, anywhere a depressed person may look the ads are there. They stalk you, so it feels. This is target advertisement...and believe it or not doctors will exaggerat what's really wrong with you for the pharmaceutical companies. Look at the doctors pens, clip boards, tissue holders, name tags, soap bottles, toilet paper. It's all funded by pharmaceutical companies.

Believe what you must, but personally I'm beginning to believe everyday that these disorder labels are intentionally diagnosed for "money" reasons. I've noticed that any person that says "I'm sad this day, and happy the next", is diagnosed bi polar...I always tell my husband "everybody and their mama is bi polar". I'm sure you get what I'm saying there.

Oh, I have no doubts of what you are saying,I agree with you in many ways, I just feel it's not only the drug manufacturers, but the doctors should be included that are manipulated by them.
I also feel the advertisment(s) trigger people to wonder if they have any of the disorders they are advertising,which in turn the person(s) will contact their doctors,get checked out,etc.
They are both businesses (sp?), business is about making money,it's odd when you apply this to pharmaceutical,medical health care professionals and organizations,but it is a reality like any other kinds(s) of business.
I personally don't allow myself to let every ad, and or commercial influence me, it all gets played out after awhile,heck,all this stuff can turn people into hypochondriacs. Oh yeah, then the doctors treat your true physical problems as if you are hypochondriac and hand you a script for antidepressants or some other kind of med. that may be gaining popularity. Such practice is leaving many without a true,thorough DX, and getting the right treatment.
Oh, I am rambling on, I apologize for that, I can get going on such topics, so I stop myself here. We should also try to keep in mind not all docs fall into this, and it is important not to lose faith, it is good though, to get 2nd opinions, and/or go with your gut feelings (no pun intended) and be the one to make the choices.
Many meds like cleaning supplies,detergents,basically have the same stuff in them with different names,with claims to be "the best", I usually try to see what one has been the leading,longest selling one for years and I personally like the best, in the past I use to be a sucker for all the new stuff that had all these claims,soooooooo I tried them and remain with what works best for me.
Oh, how I wish I had the answer to all of this,sadly I don't,but was compelled to adding to this post.

DE

((((((((( everybody on this thread )))))))))))