Difference between relaspse and recurrence of mood disorders?
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This is a very good blog, a beginner’s guide to abnormal psychology. \nShort, clear and simple; and you can even post your question and contact the author regarding particular subject you are interested in\n\nhttp://sensitive-psychoworld.blogspot.com/
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There is no cure for bipolar disorder; the emphasis is on management of the symptoms. A variety of medications are used to treat bipolar disorder; many people with bipolar disorder require multiple medications (sometimes up to five). Some people with bipolar disorder add to or replace their Western medication with herbal or holistic options. Still, even with optimal medication treatment, many people with the illness have some residual symptoms. Cognitive therapy may work to lessen the severity of mood swings by recognizing and managing triggering symptoms or events.
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Bipolar and mania are MILD mental disorders?  I'd like to know how you came up with that definition!\n\nPeople with bipolar are usually aware of when they are depressed, but not necessarily when they are manic, as mania is often experienced as a positive feeling - being ultra happy, feeling invincible etc
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An anxiety disorder manifesting with recurrent anxiety. It can be so serious that the anxiety and fear take over the life of the affected person.\n\nThere is no known single cause.
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Not everyone dies from anorexia. Some people get better eat well and gain weight back only to relapse years later.My mother was anorexic years before I was born when she was young and she was very sick but after treatment she gained weight again. When I was a kid she relapsed and again stopped eating. I think anorexia can return at any time as you are never really 'cured' its always there, a constant battle. My mother is now 59 and she is still paranoid about what and when she eats, I'm always nagging her to eat better, to stay healthy. Most can eat enough to stay alive but still be slim although the long term damage caused by lack of proper nutrition is not good.\nMaybe your friends sister is bulimic if she's recently lost alot of weight and was a compulsive overeater? Bulimics and anorexics have the same goal (to lose weight) but bulimics eat then throw up where anorexics just don't eat much if anything at all.
325415
they say it is stress induced, the reoccuring. You can get medicine to help shorten the heal time such as abreva. the other less costly ones do not work nearly as well. It will be OK it is a very common condition. It is aggravating, but it is no big deal. Good luck
559660
The value of treatment is to offer you a chance to get a little relief from your emotional stress (it is EXHAUSTING to change moods fast, control anger, maintain relationships with family and friends, hold down a job, etc. when all of these goals conflict.) The world isn't easy for anyone, but it's exponentially harder when you're fighting depression, the desire to cut and maim yourself, uncontrollable compulsions, extreme anxiety and miscellaneous other pressures. You can choose not to continue therapy, but honestly you can live a more balanced life. You might have to change doctors a few times, and will DEFINITELY change medications more than a few times. Bipolar disorder is a chemical imbalance that requires medication to balance. And PTSD can be controlled with therapy. But you have to be willing to work with someone, and be patient. Its a long, hard road. But you have every right to a happier life. And I urge you to pursue it.
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Sometimes the symptoms are the same. The difference is the diagnositc criteria. The following is the D. C. for schizophrenia as stated by the DSM IV.\n\n   1. delusions\n   2. hallucinations\n   3. disorganized speech (e.g., frequent derailment or incoherence)\n   4. grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior\n   5. negative symptoms, i.e., affective flattening, alogia, or avolition\n\nNote: Only one Criterion A symptom is required if delusions are bizarre or hallucinations consist of a voice keeping up a running commentary on the person's behavior or thoughts, or two or more voices conversing with each other.\n\nSocial/occupational dysfunction: For a significant portion of the time since the onset of the disturbance, one or more major areas of functioning such as work, interpersonal relations, or self-care are markedly below the level achieved prior to the onset (or when the onset is in childhood or adolescence, failure to achieve expected level of interpersonal, academic, or occupational achievement).\n\nDuration: Continuous signs of the disturbance persist for at least 6 months. This 6-month period must include at least 1 month of symptoms (or less if successfully treated) that meet Criterion A (i.e., active-phase symptoms) and may include periods of prodromal or residual symptoms. During these prodromal or residual periods, the signs of the disturbance may be manifested by only negative symptoms or two or more symptoms listed in Criterion A present in an attenuated form (e.g., odd beliefs, unusual perceptual experiences).\n\nSchizoaffective and Mood Disorder exclusion: Schizoaffective Disorder and Mood Disorder With Psychotic Features have been ruled out because either (1) no Major Depressive, Manic, or Mixed Episodes have occurred concurrently with the active-phase symptoms; or (2) if mood episodes have occurred during active-phase symptoms, their total duration has been brief relative to the duration of the active and residual periods.\n\nSubstance/general medical condition exclusion: The disturbance is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition.\n\nRelationship to a Pervasive Developmental Disorder: If there is a history of Autistic Disorder or another Pervasive Developmental Disorder, the additional diagnosis of Schizophrenia is made only if prominent delusions or hallucinations are also present for at least a month (or less if successfully treated). \n\nDrug induced psychosis wears off when the drug leaves the system and the type of psychosis is different depending on the drug. Onset is sudden and the most common psychosis is paranoid and aggressive in nature. Hope this helps.
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There are two major Bipolar types (I and II).. There are also some subsets.  All have to do with type and frequency of mood changes.  Doctors use something called the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual.  You could get a copy and read all the choices, but then, if you're like me, you'll probably think that you fit all of them.  Ask your doctor about it and he/she will be able to explain it clearly and to explain your particular diagnosis to you.
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If your therapist is good, he/she will keep working with you and work even harder because of the setbacks. Don't feel bad or hopeless because the 4 sessions haven't worked. I have bipolar disorder type I and OCD. My therapist recommended that I wear a rubber band around my wrist and everytime I get the urge to do one of my "rituals," pop the rubber band. This sends a pain signal to the brain, which helps to block the obsessive thinking. Don't worry. OCD is very hard to overcome and may never go away completely, but with the right medications and therapy, it can be tolerable. Good luck to you and hang in there. Don't give up. Hope this helps!
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Layperson's Definition of Manic Depression\nOne textbook definition describes bipolar disorder as: "a major affective disorder in which an individual alternates between states of deep depression and extreme elation." This is misleading in that bipolar disorder - also known as manic depression or manic-depressive illness - is much more complicated than just alternating between depression and elation.\nThe American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (commonly known as DSM-IV because it is in its fourth major edition) says, "Bipolar Disorder is characterized by the occurrence of one or more Major Depressive Episodes accompanied by at least one Manic Episode." So even if you're depressed 99 percent of the time, going through just one manic episode qualifies you for a diagnosis of bipolar disorder according to this definition - but that still leaves out a lot of what manic depression really is.
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A great thing to always check is the person's eyes.  Are their eyes red, pupils unusually large or small, etc.  Here is some great info:\n\nRELAPSE WARNING SIGNS:\n\nChemically dependent individuals can demonstrate relapse behaviors at anytime throughout their recovery process, but they are especially prone during the early stages of recovery. The relapse process starts when a person falls into old patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving. The following are signs of relapse at any stage in recovery: \n\nLack of gratitude for recovery or what has been achieved in the recovery process \n\nComplacency when things begin to improve - the chemically dependent person believes that they no longer need to focus on their recovery efforts; they are convinced they will never begin using again \n\nLack of self-care as they become exhausted, develop or return to irregular eating habits or poor health habits in general \n\nSelf-pity - the chemically dependent person talks and acts as if no one else has it as bad as they do \n\nIncreasing denial or return to denial - the chemically dependent person starts rationalizing, justifying, minimizing or generalizing addictive thinking and behavior \n\nBlaming others instead of taking personal responsibility for one's own thoughts, feelings or behavior \n\nUnable to accept feedback from others who are concerned \n\nIsolation and attempting to solve problems on their own; not sharing what is going on with others in the support group \n\nWanting too much too quickly or setting unrealistic goals \n\nAttempting to control one's recovery through manipulation and blaming of others for their problems \n\nDiscounting a recovery program - stopping 12-Step meetings, not utilizing a sponsor or unwilling to allow others to help. \n\nhttp://www.thewatershed.com/signs.htm\n\nGood luck and God Bless!
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Read these articles, and they may help you with your question...\n\nhttp://www.rediff.com/cms/print.jsp?docpath=//news/2004/jul/21spec1.html\n\nhttp://www.mental-health-matters.com/treatments/trt_details.php?trtID=6&catID=16
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http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bipolar-disorder/DS00356\nBipolar disorder\nIntroduction\n\nFrom high to low. From euphoria to depression. From recklessness to listlessness. These are the extremes associated with bipolar disorder, which can be a serious and disabling mental illness. Bipolar disorder is also known as manic-depression or manic-depressive illness — manic behavior is one extreme of this disorder and depression is the other.\n\nBipolar disorder often begins in adolescence or early adulthood and may persist throughout life. The causes of bipolar disorder are elusive, and there's no cure.\n\nThe flares of bipolar disorder may last for weeks or months, causing great disturbances in the lives of those affected, their friends and their families. Left untreated, the condition usually worsens. But bipolar disorder can be managed with medications and other therapies.\nSigns and symptoms\n\nBipolar disorder is characterized by an alternating pattern of emotional highs (mania) and lows (depression). The intensity of the associated signs and symptoms varies. Bipolar disorder can range from a mild condition to a severe condition, and there may be periods of normal behavior.\n\nManic phase\nFor many people, signs and symptoms in the manic phase may include:\n\n    * Feelings of euphoria, extreme optimism and inflated self-esteem\n    * Rapid speech, racing thoughts, agitation and increased physical activity\n    * Poor judgment\n    * Recklessness or taking chances not normally taken\n    * Difficulty sleeping\n    * Tendency to be easily distracted\n    * Inability to concentrate\n    * Aggressive behavior\n\nDepressive phase\nIn the depressive phase, signs and symptoms include:\n\n    * Persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, guilt or hopelessness\n    * Disturbances in sleep and appetite\n    * Fatigue and loss of interest in daily activities\n    * Problems concentrating\n    * Irritability\n    * Chronic pain without a known cause\n    * Recurring thoughts of suicide\n\nCauses\n\nDoctors and researchers don't know exactly what causes bipolar disorder. But a variety of biologic, genetic and environmental factors seem to be involved in causing and triggering episodes of this illness.\n\nEvidence indicates that differences in the chemical messengers between nerve cells in the brain (neurotransmitters) occur in people who have bipolar disorder. In many cases, people with a bipolar disorder may have a genetic disposition for the disorder. The abnormality may be in genes that regulate neurotransmitters. However, not everyone with a family member who has bipolar disorder will develop the disease.\n\nFactors that may contribute to or trigger episodes of bipolar disorder include drug abuse and stressful or psychologically traumatic events.\nRisk factors\n\nBipolar disorder tends to run in families. A family history of depression appears to exist in 80 percent to 90 percent of cases of bipolar disorder. Researchers are attempting to identify genes that may make people susceptible to bipolar disorder.\nWhen to seek medical advice\n\nPeople with bipolar disorder often don't recognize how impaired they are when experiencing a mood episode and how greatly the disorder is affecting their lives and the lives of others. Friends, family and primary care physicians are all important in recognizing possible signs of bipolar disorder and urging the person to seek professional help.\n\nIf a family member or friend shows signs of bipolar disorder, encourage that person to seek the care of a psychiatrist.\nScreening and diagnosis\n\nYour doctor may ask you or a family member who has accompanied you about your signs and symptoms and to describe apparent episodes of mania and depression. Diagnosis also involves ruling out other mental health conditions that may produce some symptoms similar to bipolar disorder. These may include other mood disorders, sometimes schizophrenia, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or borderline per
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Here are a couple of links with some basic info on the two,\n\nhttp://bipolar.about.com/cs/faqs/f/faq_bp12dif.htm\nhttp://www.mentalhealth.com/dis/p20-md02.html\nhttp://www.mcmanweb.com/article-5.htm\n\nHere's my Google search, if you would like to see some more resources, http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLR,GGLR:2005-49,GGLR:en&q=%22bipolar+i%22+%22bipolar+ii%22
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Generally, if someone with schizoaffective disorder is functioning well on a medication regime and they continue to comply with treatment, it is not often that you see any degeneration in their condition. However, it is not uncommon, particularly if people have been well for some time, for them to attempt to come off medication, which often leads to relapse (not always, but mostly). Another significant problem can be the long-term use of medication itself. This condition is usually treated with a mood stabilizer in conjunction with an anti-psychotic. The anti-psychotic medicines at a high dose and over a long period of time can cause a condition called "tardive dyskinesia", which can affect movement and speech. Obviously, this is not desirable and careful monitoring of physical health, as well as mental state is an absolute must. Overall though, it is very difficult to predict, as each individual's experience of the illness is different, including how long it takes to relapse, what the signs are, how long the recovery process takes, etc. I hope that this helps!
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Yes, dysthymia is alifelong disorder.  I have it.  It sucks.  No, it can't be cured, but it can be managed in a number of ways.  Dysthymia is a long-term, low-level, cyclic depression with cycles that can last for up to a year, or for up to two years in children (been there).  My dysthymia began in early childhood, although I was not diagnosed until my mid-20's.  The greatest symptom is mostly discribed as an overally "inability to get happy".  Aside from the occasional weekend-long crying jags and the occasional panic- and anxiety-attacks, dystymia isn't that bad, depression-wise.  Most of my fellow goth friends have either been dysthymics or dystymic wannabes.   \n\nAs far as treatment goes, I would recommend regular therapy.  Some people do well with antidepresants, combined with therapy, but I don't react well to antidepresants so I refuse to take them.  The thing is, you have to stay with whatever your treatment is.  Like any other type of depression, dysthymia is cyclic.  Just because you are feeling better doesn't mean that you can stop going to your shrink or stop taking your meds.  When you swing back down again you will crash harder.\n\nTo answer your other question, Dysthymia and Bipolar Disorder are totally different disorders.  With disthymia, you are kinda down all the time and then you are farther down.  Dystymics almost tend to be a bit "too" sane (think Wednesday Addams).  With bipolar disorder, you are way up and really nuts, and then you are way, way down and really nuts.  Bipolar disorder can sometimes go hand in hand with paranoid schitzophrenia. \n\nNow for the suckage:  For those of us who started off with childhood disthymic disorder, when we hit our mid-30's, we degenerate down into long-term chronic depression.  I am just now finding this out.  (Yay?)  What I have just developed over the past year or two is a low-level constant upset-y-ness.  My shrink has decided that this is the textbook-perfect time to medicate and she's keeps chasing me around brandishing a giant bottle of Paxil, which I am STILL not taking.  I think I may wait her out and see if I can get electro-shock therapy.  That may actually be fun.  Or at least not boring ;)