Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Intermittent Depressive Symptoms
Question: My 19 year old son has had on and off depressive symptoms for last 4 years or so. He was hospitalized for Mania about a year ago and then went through a down
Brief Answer:
This is indicative of bipolar disorder
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using healthcaremagic.
I read your query and understand your concerns.
As per the available history your son is suffering from bipolar disorder type 1. This disorder is characterized by presence of both depression and mania.
It generally starts in second or third decade of life and needs long term treatment. If not treated properly the duration between successive epidodes narrows over time while duration and severity tend to increase.
Persons with bipolar need extendive support and care but fo well on appropriate treatment. In fact many of them remain asymptotic for years.
I hope this answers your question.
if you have more questions feel free to write back to me.
If not please close the query and rate the answer.
Thanks and regards.
This is indicative of bipolar disorder
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using healthcaremagic.
I read your query and understand your concerns.
As per the available history your son is suffering from bipolar disorder type 1. This disorder is characterized by presence of both depression and mania.
It generally starts in second or third decade of life and needs long term treatment. If not treated properly the duration between successive epidodes narrows over time while duration and severity tend to increase.
Persons with bipolar need extendive support and care but fo well on appropriate treatment. In fact many of them remain asymptotic for years.
I hope this answers your question.
if you have more questions feel free to write back to me.
If not please close the query and rate the answer.
Thanks and regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
He has stopped taking his meds and his psych put him on adderall now for ADHD. He did not tell his psych he stopped taking them.
Thank u
He is not depressed at all right now. Bottom line he was voted most outgoing his Sophmore year in highschool. He then was put on meds for depression SSRI's and then 2 years later had the manic attack that hospitalized him. His Argument is that these meds have completely changed his personality to the least happy and outgoing person. It is hard to tell. Is it the depression or Mania that have changed him or are the drugs bad for him? I am personally hoping maybe he has just had ADHD and a misdiagnosis of bi polar. I am a realist though and I doubt if it is that simple. If he refuses to take drugs because he feels alive again then I am not sure what to do other than hope the Adderall helps him focus and calm down a bit and keep a close eye for signs of Mania again. Withdrawal symptoms of the drugs appear to mimic Mania.
Thank you,
XXXX
Thank u
He is not depressed at all right now. Bottom line he was voted most outgoing his Sophmore year in highschool. He then was put on meds for depression SSRI's and then 2 years later had the manic attack that hospitalized him. His Argument is that these meds have completely changed his personality to the least happy and outgoing person. It is hard to tell. Is it the depression or Mania that have changed him or are the drugs bad for him? I am personally hoping maybe he has just had ADHD and a misdiagnosis of bi polar. I am a realist though and I doubt if it is that simple. If he refuses to take drugs because he feels alive again then I am not sure what to do other than hope the Adderall helps him focus and calm down a bit and keep a close eye for signs of Mania again. Withdrawal symptoms of the drugs appear to mimic Mania.
Thank you,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Sense of change of personality is more common with manic presentation
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for reverting back to me.
Sense of change of personality is more common with manic presentation rather than otherwise. Many persons with bipolar have poor insight and they claim that period of manic episode was best part of their life.
I am not surprised if it is misdiagnosis but admission to hospital is very rare in ADHD alone. Bu in my experience bipolar is more missed rather than over diagnosed. It has many features which overlap with ADHD.
On the other there must be more possibility of ADHD with bipolar disorder. My assumption is based on the fact that Adderall is helping him and that is more possible with ADHD.
Comorbidity of ADHD with bipolar is very common occurrence and can be seen in upto 60 % patients of ADHD.
As I informed you, it is important to take medication. There are obvious disadvantages in long term.
I hope this helps you.
Thanks and regards
Sense of change of personality is more common with manic presentation
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for reverting back to me.
Sense of change of personality is more common with manic presentation rather than otherwise. Many persons with bipolar have poor insight and they claim that period of manic episode was best part of their life.
I am not surprised if it is misdiagnosis but admission to hospital is very rare in ADHD alone. Bu in my experience bipolar is more missed rather than over diagnosed. It has many features which overlap with ADHD.
On the other there must be more possibility of ADHD with bipolar disorder. My assumption is based on the fact that Adderall is helping him and that is more possible with ADHD.
Comorbidity of ADHD with bipolar is very common occurrence and can be seen in upto 60 % patients of ADHD.
As I informed you, it is important to take medication. There are obvious disadvantages in long term.
I hope this helps you.
Thanks and regards
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
