Posted by Larry Hoover on September 6, 2008, at 12:08:50
In reply to Bipolar Spectrum: Very long but very accurate., posted by SLS on September 5, 2008, at 11:15:08
A very complex and challenging issue, no doubt.
I remain concerned about the process, despite some progress, nonetheless. A patient presents at a doctor's office with symptoms, seeking treatment for those. The doctor makes a diagnosis, and treats accordingly. However, the treatment options all arise from the diagnosis, with all its defining characteristics, which match very few patients precisely. We just don't fit cleanly into the theoretical cubbyholes. That model works great for e.g. bacterial infection, or myocardial infarct, but mental illness? Blurring the boundaries (which is how I see this trend towards bipolar spectrum) *may* lead doctors to return to treating presenting symptoms. I only hope that it does.
BTW, I am an exception to what appears to be an absolute statement:
"Although these schema differ in numerous respects, the authors point to a commonality regarding:
Individuals with hypomanic reactions to antidepressants. (Two long-term follow-up studies found that 100 percent of these patients ultimately manifested overt bipolarity.)"
I suppose it is still possible that I might 'manifest overt bipolarity', as I ain't dead yet, but so far......nope.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:850483
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080903/msgs/850643.html