Posted by JohnX2 on June 2, 2002, at 19:44:32
In reply to rediagnosis: bipolar II, posted by bonnie on June 2, 2002, at 1:00:23
> hi. after two years of being diagnosed as depression (medicated with zoloft), ive been rediagnosed as bipolar II (to take lamictal and some neurontin now as im experiencing a lot of anxiety about...stuff). in speaking with other people about this, ive found that a fair number of folks seem to have been rediagnosed in this way recently. what do you all think: is this for real? is this some sort of doctor-inspired trend? im just wary that docs are finding well, not everyone's responding to depressive meds so let's try this next diagnosis. thanks.
I think this has partially occured.
I think part of what has happened has to do with the
introduction of the new medicines:- Lamictal (a mood stabilizer with antidepressant properties and no sexual side effects).
- atypical APs Zyprexa,Geodon,etc. (Quick acting medicines that can treat anxiety,depression,bipolar,psychosis).
- Neurontin (a tolerable non addictive anti-anxiety medicine, previously classified mainly as bipolar).These medicines all can be used very effectively strictly to treat
unipolar depression. They have in many cases advantages over the
older SSRIs, etc in terms of patient complience, etc. This may lead
to greater efficacy and the illusion of less instability.Also these medicines are anticonvulsants (clasically viewed as bipolar
meds) and APs (classically viewed for schizophrenia and now bipolar psychosis),
so there may be a disassociation from an indication for depression usage.Just my take.
John
poster:JohnX2
thread:108402
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020602/msgs/108472.html