Doctors diagnose bipolar disorder based on criteria of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). These criteria include the presence of manic, depressive, or mixed episodes, how frequently these symptoms occur, and how often they last.
When making a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, it is important that the doctor rule out other conditions that may be causing symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Distinguishing...
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The first psychiatric medication I ever took was amitriptyline. This was well before I was diagnosed with bipolar or even major depression... Read more »
Antipsychotic drugs were first developed to treat the delusions and hallucinations of schizophrenia. Since people with Bipolar I disorder... Read more »
Genetic or hereditary factors contribute to the risk of bipolar disorder. Studies have demonstrated that the prevalence of bipolar disorder is higher... Read more »
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Bipolar disorder treatment includes medication and non-drug therapy. The good news is that most patients respond to treatment and are able to control... Read more »
Source: ADAM Encyclopedia
AgeBipolar disorder usually first occurs between the ages of 15 - 30 years, with an average age of onset at 25 years. However, bipolar disorder can... Read more »
Two million Americans suffer from bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression. This very serious illness involves dramatic mood swings from high... Read more »