Posted by Dr. Bob on March 9, 2003, at 18:58:08
In reply to Bowden: Guest expert on bipolar disorders, posted by jaby on March 4, 2003, at 9:48:40
Dear Jaby,
In general ECT should only be considered for unequivocal bipolar I (full mania at some point) disorders. The II does not mean mild suffering or functional problems, however. It does mean mostly depression. Usually, some combination of a mood stabilizer (lithium, Depakote) needs to be combined with a drug that aids depression (Lamictal, Celexa, Parnate). Re the photic hypersensitivity, it may be unrelated to bipolar disorder. However, one of the fundamental features of having bipolar disorder is to be more sensitive than the non-bipolar person to various stimuli. This can be a good thing (more attention to aesthetic, pleasurable experiences) or a problematic thing (overreaction to stress, to light that interferes with sleep). It is possible that your visual sensitivity is some expression of that hypervigilance that goes with the disorder.
Charles L. Bowden, M.D.
poster:Dr. Bob
thread:205791
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030306/msgs/207553.html