Whether you're a newly diagnosed patient, a friend, or relative, this book offers help. The only volume to provide both the doctor's and patient's views, 100 Questions & Answers About Bipolar (Manic-Depressive) Disorder, gives you authoritative, practical answers to your questions about treatment options, coping strategies, sources of support, and much more. Written by a prominent psychiatrist, with actual patient commentary, this book is an invaluable resource for anyone coping with the medical, psychological, and emotional turmoil of this debilitating condition.

Introduction

v

Contributing Patient Biographies

ix

Part I: The Basics

1

(28)

Questions 1-10 give background information about bipolar disorder with such topics as:

How does the brain affect behavior and regulate emotional states?

What is bipolar disorder?

What causes bipolar disorder?

Part II: Diagnosis

29

(28)

Questions 11-24 outline the steps in determining whether you have bipolar disorder, including:

What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?

How is bipolar disorder diagnosed?

Are there different types of bipolar disorder?

How does bipolar depression differ from major depression?

Part III: Risk/Prevention/Epidemiology

57

(20)

Questions 25-34 explore details of bipolar disorder, such as:

What are the risk factors for development of bipolar disorder?

Are people from different ethnic backgrounds more susceptible to bipolar disorder?

Is there a link between epilepsy and bipolar disorder?

I have been treated for bipolar depression in the past. Can I prevent an episode in the future?

Part IV: Treatment

77

(70)

Questions 35-66 discuss the methods for treating bipolar disorder and concerns about medications, including:

What are the different types of treatment for bipolar disorder?

What are the different types of talk therapies and what do they do?

What are the different types of medication used to treat bipolar disorder? How does my doctor choose a medicine?

Can I take other medicines while I am on an antidepressant?

Are there long-term dangers to taking medication?

Part V: Associated Conditions

147

(14)

Questions 67-73 provide information for bipolar patients with more than one condition, such as:

I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and anxiety. How is the combination of conditions treated?

How are alcoholism and bipolar disorder connected?

What are the similarities and differences between borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder?

Is there an overlap between ADHD and bipolar disorder?

Part VI: Special Populations

161

(34)

Questions 74-88 address children, family planning, and other considerations, such as:

Do children get bipolar disorder?

I want to get pregnant but take medication for bipolar disorder. What can I do?

Are there any medications I should avoid if I have bipolar disorder?

Are there any medical conditions that can cause mania or depression?

Part VII: Surviving

195

(26)

Questions 89-100 address personal rights, family involvement, and survival issues, including:

Will I get manic or depressed again after I have recovered?

What is the risk of suicide when someone is diagnosed with bipolar disorder?

Where can I find out more information about bipolar disorder?

Appendix A: A list of web sites, organizations, and literature to help bipolar patients and their families find additional resources on general and specific topics related to bipolar disorder

221

(4)

Appendix B: Medications used in the treatment of bipolar disorder with dosing ranges and average costs

225

(2)

Appendix C: Antidepressants with dosing ranges and average costs

227

(4)

Glossary

231

(12)

Index

243

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