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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can Bipolar Disorder Develop In Later Stages Of Life?

Hello Dr. Thanks for being so kind and helping us depressed ones out there. Well......my question is this.....is it possible to develop bipolar disorder later in life? I am 40 years old. I have always had severe clinical depression since age 17. Since I was 37 I noticed now having extreme highs and lows. Sometimes it is so bad I am sobbing one moment and then catch myself laughing a few minutes later. People are starting to comment on my mood swings so I've withdrawn from society out of sheer embarrassment. I don't know if this helps.......but I have had Lupus tor 13 years now and was diagnosed with hypothyroidism 3 years ago. Any perspective you might have would mean a lot. Signed......T.
Wed, 31 Dec 2014
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Psychiatrist 's  Response
HI
Thanks for using healthcare magic

Currently, the way you have mentioned your symptoms, you may have recurrent depressive disorder. You can have manic episode in future. Sometime, number of patients get manic episode due to antidepressant. In case, you have more five depressive episode till date, you can try mood stabilizer.

Thanks
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Psychiatrist Dr. Ashish Mittal's  Response
Hello,
Welcome to HCM.

In bipolar illness patient develop manic or depressive episode on different time. Many patient may develop only depressive episodes in initial years like in recurrent depressive disorder. But if they develop manic episode in any point of time later in life their diagnosis is changed to bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder need treatment under psychiatrist supervision with medication like mood stabilizers.

Take care,
www.99doctor.com
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Can Bipolar Disorder Develop In Later Stages Of Life?

HI Thanks for using healthcare magic Currently, the way you have mentioned your symptoms, you may have recurrent depressive disorder. You can have manic episode in future. Sometime, number of patients get manic episode due to antidepressant. In case, you have more five depressive episode till date, you can try mood stabilizer. Thanks