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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by joe f on May 15, 2014, at 18:56:52
is bipolar nos a serious illness and does it usually require medication? does ant one here suffer from it and what is there treatment?
Posted by burial on May 16, 2014, at 7:07:33
In reply to bipolar nos, posted by joe f on May 15, 2014, at 18:56:52
hard to tell, probably you'll need a mood stabilizer like Lamicatal with an optional antidepressant if you have depression
Posted by Christ_empowered on May 16, 2014, at 9:22:53
In reply to bipolar nos, posted by joe f on May 15, 2014, at 18:56:52
I think lamictal is the go to med for bipolar II. Maybe it'd work for bipolar nos?
Posted by Phillipa on May 16, 2014, at 9:30:55
In reply to bipolar nos, posted by joe f on May 15, 2014, at 18:56:52
Isn't it when it doesn't fit a a particular category? Phillipa
Posted by joe f on May 16, 2014, at 12:46:06
In reply to Re: bipolar nos » joe f, posted by Phillipa on May 16, 2014, at 9:30:55
is it a questionable category when a dr doesn't know whats going on?
Posted by Beckett on May 16, 2014, at 12:47:27
In reply to bipolar nos, posted by joe f on May 15, 2014, at 18:56:52
Hi Joe,
It can be debilitating, and therefore serious, depending on how the illness expresses itself. For example, the disorder can present as constant small fluctuations that create mood instability that does not necessarily look like dramatic peaks and troughs. This constant variation can be very disruptive.
BPNOS can coexist with dysthymia. Also it could respond negatively to inappropriate treatment such as antidepressant use without a mood stablizer.
I was reading Jim Phelp's site last night. Here is a page on the bipolar spectrum:
http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/02_diagnosis.html
( not too good with links; hope it works)
Not everyone is a fan of Phelps, but I like him. Good luck :-)
Posted by LouisianaSportsman on May 16, 2014, at 14:47:21
In reply to bipolar nos, posted by joe f on May 15, 2014, at 18:56:52
> is bipolar nos a serious illness and does it usually require medication? does ant one here suffer from it and what is there treatment?
Hey, joe!
I thought I'd chime in here.
I'm diagnosed Bipolar NOS. My PDOC changed my DX from my previous PDOC's DX of BP2 to Bipolar NOS. I was almost diagnosed with cyclothymic disorder or, but my episodes simply aren't frequent enough. We also looked into my once dissociate, solipsistic viewpoints and couldn't really determine how they fit within the diagnostic spectrum but those viewpoints suggested something besides BP2, but they have since faded away. I think my PDOC made the right call with sticking with the BPNOS dx.
I fit all the criteria of the BP spectrum, but I do not fit within the definitions of BP1 nor BP2. (I could have borderline personality disorder misdiagnosed as BPNOS or concomitant with BPNOS.)
My PDOC is at the top of her field and you do not simply "get an appointment" with her, and I am successfully treated with: Brintellix 20mg.; Desoxyn 30mg.; Klonopin 1.5mg.; Latuda 80mg.; Nuvigil 250mg.;, and Topamax XR 400mg.
I would say that if I was at a score of say 30 before polypharmacology, it would now be at a 17.
BPNOS is a serious illness, but people with BPNOS may not have as much mania (thus less harmful activity) and soporific depression as others within the bipolar spectrum, but it varies as BPNOS encapsulates individuals who may display bipolar tendencies due to another disorder that might be very destructive.
Every BP illness is serious, no matter how it is labeled, joe. I think you may have the wrong idea about the NOS aspect of it, and I hope that the posts here have clarified this for you.
Have a good one!
Posted by phidippus on May 16, 2014, at 16:35:40
In reply to bipolar nos, posted by joe f on May 15, 2014, at 18:56:52
It means bipolar "not otherwise specified". A label given to those bipolar patients whose symptoms do not fit in a type 1 or type 2 classification.
It requires the same medications as those diagnosed bipolar I or II.
Eric
Posted by Phillipa on May 16, 2014, at 21:10:17
In reply to Re: bipolar nos » joe f, posted by phidippus on May 16, 2014, at 16:35:40
That's what I thought it meant. But wouldn't the meds be different? Phillipa
Posted by joe f on May 16, 2014, at 21:23:02
In reply to Re: bipolar nos » phidippus, posted by Phillipa on May 16, 2014, at 21:10:17
thanks louisanna
Posted by phidippus on May 17, 2014, at 17:21:46
In reply to Re: bipolar nos » phidippus, posted by Phillipa on May 16, 2014, at 21:10:17
No. Mood stabilizers would still be front line medication.
Eric
This is the end of the thread.
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