Posted by Caedmon on June 2, 2006, at 19:17:56
In reply to Re: What Do You Think Of All the New Types of Bipo » Caedmon, posted by Phillipa on June 2, 2006, at 18:39:15
Okay, thanks Phillipa. Well as far as the bipolar spectrum/ BP-III-V or however high the number goes, I don't have a problem with it. The spectrum concept makes some sense to me. If you chart people's moods over time, there probably is a spectrum in how they vary, ranging from flatly unipolar with little variation, to more "atypical" depression, bipolar II, to classic "manic-depression".
I guess my main concern would be the notion of applying bipolar I treatment strategies to the more "downwind" disorders. The idea of prophylactic mood stabilizer use, for example. To my knowledge, it's not even that well studied in bipolar II let alone the experimental mixy-topsy-turvy mood disorders.
The other problem would be using the diagnostic classes to justify lots of off-label use of atypical antipsychotics. But enough has surely been said on this matter.
I think right now it's mostly a theoretical discussion. If it helps clinicians find better drugs for their patients, then that's good. Hopefully it is doing just that, I guess that's my point.
- Chris
poster:Caedmon
thread:651955
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060530/msgs/652111.html