Get Informed: Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder: Overview
Bipolar Disorder, also known as manic depression or bipolar affective disorder, is a condition characterized by episodes of abnormally elevated mood (mania) often punctuated by episodes of abnormal depression. Extreme manic episodes can sometimes lead to psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-16 9:55 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-12 9:42 PM
1 in 20 people have Bipolar Disorder
iGuard is currently monitoring more than 98,962 patients with Bipolar Disorder from around the United States as shown on the heat map below. These figures suggest that roughly 14.8 million Americans have Bipolar Disorder with men and women both being affected in similar numbers.
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
iGuard is currently monitoring more than 98,962 patients with Bipolar Disorder.
Medications used for Bipolar Disorder
Drugs commonly taken by iGuard users for Bipolar Disorder are listed below, together with the percentage of patients that take each drug.
|
Commonly Used Medication Name* (Hover mouse over name to see medication class) |
% of Patients | Average Risk Rating | Has Generic Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abilify | 30% |
|
No |
| Seroquel | 8% |
|
No |
| Lamictal | 7% |
|
Yes |
| Depakote | 6% |
|
Yes |
| Lithobid | 5% |
|
Yes |
Less than 5%: Effexor, Topamax, Wellbutrin, Desyrel, Prozac, Lexapro, Zoloft, Klonopin, Risperdal, Geodon, Zyprexa, Cymbalta, Paxil, Celexa, Trileptal, Neurontin
*This list is NOT EXHAUSTIVE - Only drugs used by a sufficiently large number of iGuard users are listed.
**Medications are sometimes known by different brand/generic names, depending upon how they are packaged or used.
Global Patient Feedback for Bipolar Disorder ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
about 5-6 years ago i went through a very scary time where i was hearing voices and having hallucinations. i started seeing a therapist and psychiatrist, when i told him about it he looked at me and said "dont tell me that?! you look so normal, you're joking right?!" (needless to say ive been wary of opening up to future dr.s) he told me i was depressed and prescribed paxil which did nothing for me so i was switched to lexapro which actually helped for about a year. thankfully i havent heard or seen anything since but my symptoms have changed.. ive had 3 anxiety attacks that were so serious i went to the E.R. thinking i was having a heart attack. im so depressed some days i cant get out of bed and other times i dont sleep for days make rash decisions spend money i dont have on things i dont need.. when i told my new dr. this he also told me im depressed and gave me wellbutrin which helped a little for the depression but seemed to bring on more manic episodes. every time i tried to tell my dr. that i think im bipolar he told me im not and increased my meds. i the wellbutrin about 2 months ago. ive done tons of research and am sure i have rapid cycling or mixed episode bipolar disorder. im going to start seeing a new dr. soon and would appreciate some advice on what meds have worked for others with similar symptoms and on how to get my dr. to listen to me and prescribe something other than antidepressants. im sorry this question ran so long and thank you to anyone who took the time to read the whole thing.
35 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-12 13:52:34
Answer/Reply:
* i meant to say i quit the wellbutrin 2 months ago *
35 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-12 13:54:45
Question/Comment:
I have been diagnosed with severe depression in 2001 during my second pregnancy, but I have been depressed as a child, almost committed suicide @ age 16, & a couple of other unsuccessful times. Why does it take so long for doctors to diagnose this? My mother and one brother have it as well and are also diagnosed and taking antidepressants. Could this be hereditary? I recently seen my GYN and explained to him that I feel out of control a lot of the times before my menstrual cycle. for example, I literally close down emotionally, have major fits, a lot of frustration (even over minor things). Out of control behavior, major mood swings, and sometimes throw or hit things to feel better. I told him all this and he said he thinks I have what's called PPD? I have never heard of this but he said it's worse than PMS! When I saw my physician, I was suicidal & wanted me checked into the hospital but I can't. I have three children to care for & I don't want to upset them with my absence.
34 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-11 09:41:05
Answer/Reply:
Your experience mirrors mine to a T. I was told that depression is inherited. My mom and I are the only ones affected by this disease. I had to check myself into the hospital 6 times in 2006. Things started to get really bad for me during my last pregnancy.
37 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-12 04:23:48
Question/Comment:
My 15 year ol son was admitted to the hosp 4 days ago with Acute Manic Episode. He is totally out of it and delusional. They started him on Rispadal and klonipin. So far they have not worked although i know it takes time for the meds to get into his system ande then to adjust the meds as to the propoer dose. If anybody has experienced this with a family member or please give me some insite as what to expect in the comming weeks and months.
Thanks so much
52 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-10-23 10:16:12
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Manic episodes can be an exceptionally difficult condition to control initially and it is further complicated when it involves a child. Every case of mania varies widely from patient to patient. The inital medications are a starting point and will need to be closely monitored and controlled in the coming weeks. Your family should seek counselor support for yourselves as well as your child to help cope with this very difficult and emotional situation.
Posted: 2009-11-03 21:27:42
Question/Comment:
i have a question about my granddaughter who is 6,she is taking risperidone for tic disorder,we are waiting to see if she has tourettes or is bi-polar ,as it runs in the family.
my question is ,if anyone on here was taking risperdal ,have had scary hallucinations.
my granddaughter is having the worst nightmares ever and even when she is awake she says she See's things like children who are not there,bloody faces in the mirror when she looks at herself.
they just increased her dosage starting tonight she will be taking one full pill plus half of another.
has anyone else have these problems?
44 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-07-17 16:25:25
iGuard Answer/Reply:
There are no reported cases of hallucinations, vivid nightmares or visual disturbances such as you describe with Risperdal. Please make sure these symptoms and issues are discussed with your granddaughter's physician. They could be related to her disease as well.
Posted: 2009-07-19 01:45:33
Answer/Reply:
I am a 54 year old mother of 3 grown children, and have recenty returned to college to study biology. Have been fighting depression most of my life, am definitely ADHD and also recently admitting that I am likely Bipolar II... ((and 17 years sober : ))
Since I have been online - during the past ten or so years, I have posted my personal comments, maybe only a half dozen or so times - BUT IN GOOD CONSCIENCE, I HAVE TO SHARE MY PERSONAL EXERIENCE SPECIFICALLY AS IT OCCURED WHILE TAKING RISPERDAL FOR ABOUT ONE WEEK, NEARLY 7 YEARS AGO! (CAPS INTENDED!)
Of course, it's a long story, but some background is warranted, as I also want to show credibility to my using this format.
My usual doctor was out of town; a dr. who did not know me but interviewed me for ten minutes regarding my severe family-stress-related panic attacks handed me a script and I was on my way out the door. I was prescribed Rispersdal, a med this new dr. was so sure that I so desperatey needed to help cure whatever it was that he thought was ailing me...
After taking Risperdal (low dose) for less than one week; when I could not sleep one night, I felt so wierd and then decided to look into the mirror. Lights were low - it was 2 or 3 AM. When I looked at myself, I began to see myself actually begin to morph somehow into a skeleton... It was scary and freaky and That whole story is not one that I need to share here; suffice to say, Risperdal had a profoundly negative effect upon me and seeing myself like in the mirror pushed me over the edge and I decided it was a warning and must mean that I had no business being alive anymore and so I began elaborating upon a very serious plan to make sure of just that.
Yes, I have been depressed, and yes, I have taken myself for inpatient care previously, but I have never had any hallucinations other than on this medication!
Thankfully, about 36 hours into this elucidation, I had just a small enough semblance of sanity left and was able to stop myself from further actionn, and I told one friend and then called my local hospital and checked myself in.
My usual psychiatrist returned and was very upset along with me that I was prescribed Risperdal, as she knew that it was contrary to my personal psyche (I do not know whatever happned to that other dr.). To my limited knowledge, I have since learned that Risperdal is an anti-psychotic, sometimes utilized for treatment other than intended. In my situation it back-fired.
Please, share my story with your family, and with her doctor, if you would, please!
Perhaps trying to convince a young child that her hallucinations do not HAVE to be SCARY will help her. And, Of course, I am not a doctor, but I do know what is real, and coming back around to my senses just barey enough to begin to understand that maybe I was experiencing a bad reaction to a controversial medication - saved my life.
Hopefully, Risperdal would not be available for usage if this type of reaction was commonplace.
But I swear to you it happened to me. Please write again and update, I am concerned and truly hope that this message will be posted, and that you will be able to write again as well.
With only my truest intentions for All Our Good Health,
~DJane ~i~
55 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-05 01:05:54
Answer/Reply:
I did take this med for Bi Polar for awhile then stopped due to bad dreams. I was placed on lamictal and it seemed to help for awhile but then did not help.
57 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-29 05:30:19
Answer/Reply:
I used to take risperidone when I was in my 30's and I used to have very bad hallucinations. I would see things that were not supposed to be there just like your granddaughter. I also would see objects move that are not supposed to move.
43 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-30 09:23:19
Answer/Reply:
Please let your doctor know about this. Risperdal is an anti-psychotic and like with most anti-psychotics is known to cause dementia in very young patients. It sounds like that may be what's going on here.
Personally I have taken it at night before and noticed that it made my sleeping very uneventful in terms of dreams. I never had a nightmare while I was on it, and that was one of the major things I liked about taking it.
25 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-09-21 23:23:33
Question/Comment:
I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder while in the Air Force but not treated with medication except for Inderal. I am going through bankruptcy now which is a result of years of untreated manic episodes. I started seeing a new psychiatrist one week ago with the intent of getting help for the bipolar disorder. I literally fired my last psychiatrist because he was inept. Now my new one took me off of Celexa and tapered the Klonopin. She perscribed Trazodone and Remeron for depression, anxiety, and vivid dreams. She wouldn't discuss anything with me and cut me off when I tried to discuss my symptoms. I was in there and out in 5 minutes and this was suspose to be the first visit. The new medicine has me where I cannot function at all. I called her office and threw a fit and she scheduled a new appointment for me in 2 days.
Should I be frank with her at me next appointment? I need treatment for my bipolar disorder NOW so that I don't get in trouble financially and I am tired of getting angry about everything.
55 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-07-07 22:37:07
iGuard Answer/Reply:
It helps to be honest with your physician. Make specific notes and questions to take into your appointment so that you can be as direct as possible without being accusatory or angry. You will have the best results in a give-and-take discussion of your symptoms and feelings along with your history. Having the points you wish to discuss written down will help you to stay on task while maximizing the time your physician is able to spend with you.
Posted: 2009-07-09 00:47:41
Answer/Reply:
We absolutely must be our own advocate. From what you described, I would fire that doctor. We have that right. Having a bipolar disorder means that we have to be hyper vigilent about taking care of ourselves. If you have a big university near you, I've found that I get my best care from an educational facility. The doctors are usually young enough to not be jaded and still hopeful about finding the answers. One word of caution, as I can see that you have experienced, when we are manic our decisions and perceptions are pretty skewed. Just a word to the wise... But don't stay with an inadequate doctor. There are some really good ones out there - who know a whole lot about having bipolar - and actually seem to honor me in my battle against it. Go figure, eh?
53 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-07-17 15:44:00
Answer/Reply:
Please don't stay with a doctor that you don't have faith and trust in. Don't stay with any health care professional who brushes you off and doesn't have time to answer questions, etc. I was diagnosed and began treatment for bipolar disorder 33 years ago and have had no further episodes since. I take my medication faithfully twice a day. I was fortunate that the medication worked for me...it may take you some time to find the medication that helps you, but please, don't lose faith! Help is out there!
71 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-07-23 16:08:27
Answer/Reply:
Change doctors IMMEDIATELY!!! You need someone who takes the time to listen and takes ALL of your conserns into consideration. Yes, the psychiatrist monitors your meds, but first visits are generally for an hour to take a good history and get to know you. You also need to have a therapist who can spend time with you, at least an hour every visit. I started twice a week, after time once a week, now I see her every other week, or as I need to. PLEASE find an MD who will take time to know you.
Posted: 2009-11-16 17:20:16
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
173
Patient Comments about
Bipolar Disorder