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Suggest Treatment For Depression With Bipolar Disorder

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Posted on Wed, 11 Jun 2014
Question: No insurance. No financial reaources. Very depressed. What can i suggest to my
Doc for immediate relief? Diagnosed bipolar 2.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ashish Mittal (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Start mood stabilizers

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for your query.
I appreciate your efforts for medical consultation in so much distress.

Important aspects of your query are:
•     26 year old female
•     Known case of Bipolar 2 disorder (BPAD-2)
•     Complaints of: severe depressive symptoms along with financial constraint.

In Bipolar disorder patient has both manic and depression episode. It is a chronic illness. Average duration of depressive episode is 4-12 months and manic episode 3-6 months. This illness occur due to neurotransmitters imbalance in brain.

Medicines are primary mode of treatment for this illness. Following medicines are well researched and found to effective for Bipolar disorder: Lithium, Valproate and Carbamazepine. These medicines also called as mood stabilizers and given for long term to stabilize mood. They improve both depressive and manic episode. So, you can request your current physician at-least to start mood stabilizer (Lithium or valproate) which will bring improvement.

Same time do not start any antidepressant, without psychiatrist advise, as sometimes mixed episode (Combined manic and depressive episode) present with depressive symptoms and treatment with antidepressant will exacerbate the current condition.

I can understand your financial limitation but same time there is need to meet psychiatrist as in person examination is must while treating these patients. Considering financial problem, you should meet psychiatrist in some government's treatment facility.

Following steps will also help you:
-Start above mentioned mood stabilizers after physician prescription.
-Fix sleep and wake up time.
-Daily morning brisk walk
-Avoid excessive caffeine (tea, coffee and cold drink) if present.
-Stop alcohol use, if present
-Do not worry, as this phase will last only for few weeks.

I hope this information has been both informative and helpful for you. In case of any doubt, I will be available for follow ups.

Wish you good health.
Regards,
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ashish Mittal

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 1859 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Depression With Bipolar Disorder

Brief Answer: Start mood stabilizers Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for your query. I appreciate your efforts for medical consultation in so much distress. Important aspects of your query are: • 26 year old female • Known case of Bipolar 2 disorder (BPAD-2) • Complaints of: severe depressive symptoms along with financial constraint. In Bipolar disorder patient has both manic and depression episode. It is a chronic illness. Average duration of depressive episode is 4-12 months and manic episode 3-6 months. This illness occur due to neurotransmitters imbalance in brain. Medicines are primary mode of treatment for this illness. Following medicines are well researched and found to effective for Bipolar disorder: Lithium, Valproate and Carbamazepine. These medicines also called as mood stabilizers and given for long term to stabilize mood. They improve both depressive and manic episode. So, you can request your current physician at-least to start mood stabilizer (Lithium or valproate) which will bring improvement. Same time do not start any antidepressant, without psychiatrist advise, as sometimes mixed episode (Combined manic and depressive episode) present with depressive symptoms and treatment with antidepressant will exacerbate the current condition. I can understand your financial limitation but same time there is need to meet psychiatrist as in person examination is must while treating these patients. Considering financial problem, you should meet psychiatrist in some government's treatment facility. Following steps will also help you: -Start above mentioned mood stabilizers after physician prescription. -Fix sleep and wake up time. -Daily morning brisk walk -Avoid excessive caffeine (tea, coffee and cold drink) if present. -Stop alcohol use, if present -Do not worry, as this phase will last only for few weeks. I hope this information has been both informative and helpful for you. In case of any doubt, I will be available for follow ups. Wish you good health. Regards,