Bipolar disorder

Also known as Manic Depression, Bipolar Affective Disorder, and Bipolar Mood Disorder

What are the symptoms?

Within all the people who go to their doctor with bipolar disorder, 64% report having depressive or psychotic symptoms, 62% report having depression, and 48% report having anxiety and nervousness. The symptoms that are highly suggestive of bipolar disorder are hostile behavior, excessive anger, and obsessions and compulsions, although you may still have bipolar disorder without those symptoms.

What might my doctor prescribe?

Common Tests and Procedures

Patients with bipolar disorder often receive psychotherapy, mental health counseling, toxicology screen, depression screen, blood alcohol, psychological and psychiatric evaluation and therapy, occupational therapy assessment and electroencephalogram (eeg) .

Common Medications

The most commonly prescribed drugs for patients with bipolar disorder include quetiapine (seroquel), lamotrigine (lamictal), divalproex sodium (depakote), lithium (li), aripiprazole (abilify), clonazepam, risperidone, bupropion (wellbutrin), olanzapine (zyprexa), ziprasidone (geodon), benztropine, oxcarbazepine (trileptal) and carbamazepine .

Who is at risk?

Groups of people at highest risk for bipolar disorder include age 30-44 years age 45-59 years. On the other hand, age 1-4 years and age < 1 years almost never get bipolar disorder.