My son was just diagnosed bipolar. And was put on medicine for it but I am not convienced he is bipolar. The diagnoses was made by a MD.
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Q: What if my son was misdiagnosed and is on a bipolar medicine?
Answers (2)
4/12/10 10:27pm
Hi Linda
Just wanted to add to the excellent advice given to you by Donna by letting you know that we have a Bipolar site here on Health Central. It might be a good idea to go over and check it out...read the information there or ask a question.
The other suggestion I have is to ask the doctor who made this diagnosis some questions you may have. I know it must be a shock to hear that your son may have Bipolar Disorder but did want to tell you that there is treatment and there is support. It will be possible for him to manage this with help.
If you feel that the diagnosis is not accurate...you can always get a second opinion from another doctor.
Good luck to you and please let us know how things go okay?
4/11/10 6:21pm
From the information you have supplied, it is difficult to answer. Is your son a teenager? What convinces you he is not bipolar? Obviously he must have been having some symptoms that led your doctor to make that diagnosis. But you do say the doctor is in general practice, and not a psychiatrist. If I were you, I would try to get your son a referral to a local psychiatrist to get a second opinion. Many people are given a diagnosis that changes over time. I was first diagnosed with bipolar disorder, then schizophrenia, then schizoaffective. They can all look similar in the way they are manifested.
Is the medication taking care of the symptoms? Sometimes it takes trying several medications before one works. I take an antipsychotic and two antidepressants in order to control my symptoms. But believe me, it is best to get into treatment as early as possible. The earlier his symptoms are treated, the less chance that they will become severe. And it is important that he take the medication exactly as prescribed, every day.
Best wishes.
4/11/10 8:40pm
Being depressed and having anger issues are often a sign of bipolar disorder, unfortunately. Bipolar doesn't always mean you constantly have major ups and downs -- you can have mostly depression or mostly mania. From my own experience, I know there are often side effects like the ones you mentioned. A couple have made me feel that I can't breathe right and anxiety. (Of course, it does make one anxious if he or she can't breathe!) Some cause weight gain and sleepiness. Some cause major agitation. He needs to work with a psychiatrist as his medication manager. I was diagnosed in 1995 and still see my psychiatrist every 3 months for a medication review. And it is not uncommon to need dose adjustments once in a while.
I tried Lithium, Eskalith, Tegretol and Depakote when my psychiatrist thought I was bipolar. None of them helped. So he started trying antipsychotics, and I finally got some relief with Zyprexa.
Donna
I suggest that you read everything you can about bipolar disorder. Knowledge gives you a base from which to start understanding.
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By Linda— Last Modified: 12/26/10, First Published: 04/10/10
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my son is gonna be 33 years old soon. I don't know either way that he is or is not bi polar.He is taking medicine but he just started it a week ago. Side effects that he is clogged up in the nose and can't breath right. I truly feel that he is depressed and has a anger problem. I really don't know about being bi polar.