Cognitive Disorders

Schizophrenia and other Psychotic Disorders

Mood Disorders: Depression, Bipolar/Manic Depression

Substance Abuse

Bipolar Disorder

Schizophrenia

Depression

Impulse Control Disorders

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What is Manic Depression/Bipolar Disorder

What is Schizophrenia

Manic Depressive/Bipolar Disorder

What is it?
Bipolar disorder is a disorder that causes one's mood to fluctuate from feeling down, or depressed, to feeling up, or manic. There are several types of bipolar disorder which are characterized by how severe the mood swings are and how often they occur, or cycle. It is important to realize that while moods vary in everyone, in patients with bipolar disorder mood changes are exaggerated and they interfere with relationships, job performance, and general well being.

What causes it?
The incidence of all mood disorders, including Bipolar Disorder, is considerably higher among the blood relatives of individuals with clinically diagnosed mood disorders than the general population. This suggests a biological or genetic predisposition to this disorder. Some of the other biological factors that are implicated in this disorder are disturbances in brain serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine and glutamic acid activity.

What are the symptoms?
Symptoms consist of both depression and mania. In contrast to depression alone, people with bipolar disorder have had at least one manic episode in the past, including the following symptoms:
Marked irritability
Heightened sense of sexuality
Spending sprees
Racing thoughts
Increase in energy level
Restlessness
Expansive mood
Diminished need for sleep

What are the treatment options?
Mood stabilizing medications are the mainstay of treatment for patients with bipolar disorder. These include lithium, Depakote, Tegretol, Lamictal, and neuroleptics. Numerous other medications, including antidepressants, and anxiolytics are also commonly prescribed. In addition to medication, it is recommended that individuals get counseling for support and education given the lifelong management of the illness.

Schizophrenia

What is it?
Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder that effects the individual's thinking and sense of reality. It is one of the most disabling and puzzling mental illnesses. People afflicted with schizophrenia often experience delusions, hallucinations or other thought disturbances that can cause a disruption in their thinking. It is believed that approximately 1% of the population of the United States are diagnosed with schizophrenia over the course of their lifetime. Symptoms of schizophrenia tend to worsen with time.

What are the symptoms?
Today there is no known single cause of schizophrenia. It is believed that schizophrenia may be inherited. It can also be the result of one's social, psychological and biological environment. There are some symptoms which may indicate the onset of schizophrenia, including:
Delusions
Hallucinations
Social isolation
Withdrawal
Disruption in thought
Distorted sense of self

Diagnosing schizophrenia...
The diagnosis of schizophrenia is usually made by a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist will need to complete a detailed assessment and will want to rule out other disorders before diagnosing a patient with schizophrenia. The following information will also need to be gathered for an accurate diagnosis:

• Complete medical and psychiatric examination to assess current level of functioning
• A complete medical and psychiatric history
• Mental status examination
• A complete psychosocial history
• Duration of symptoms

What are the treatment options?
There are several options available to treat this disorder. There are a number of medications available to reduce the debilitating symptoms associated with this disorder. In addition to close medication management by a physician, counseling and therapy are recommenced.