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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Treated For Depression. Still Have Unstable Moods, Impulsive Behaviour. See The Psychiatrist?

I have been treated for depression/ anxiety for about 4 years now. I just changed medication and increased the dosage now I m on effexor 150 mg. But my question is how do you know if it depression or full blown bipolar disorder? My mood is still unstable and for the last year I have done more and more impulsive behaviors and every few months I spend way too much money and don t care. I know these are symptoms and just wondering how to know. My medications are being monitored by an internal medicine doctor, do I need a referral for a psychiatrist or can I just discuss it with my internal medicine doctor?
Mon, 28 Jan 2013
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hi there ~

I understand that you have confusion regarding whether you condition fits better into depression or one of the bipolar disorders. I recommend that you get yourself more information from the National Institute of Health website for bipolar disorder and the symptoms that differentiate it from plan depression. Weblink provided below:

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder/complete-index.shtml

Effexor is a medication that is helpful with depression and I would think that with the symptoms that you describe you fit more into a bipolar disorder, type II diagnosis. However, I recommend that you look up a good psychiatrist in your area or get a referral from your internal medicine doctor. I hope this helps.

Take care.
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Treated For Depression. Still Have Unstable Moods, Impulsive Behaviour. See The Psychiatrist?

Hi there ~ I understand that you have confusion regarding whether you condition fits better into depression or one of the bipolar disorders. I recommend that you get yourself more information from the National Institute of Health website for bipolar disorder and the symptoms that differentiate it from plan depression. Weblink provided below: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder/complete-index.shtml Effexor is a medication that is helpful with depression and I would think that with the symptoms that you describe you fit more into a bipolar disorder, type II diagnosis. However, I recommend that you look up a good psychiatrist in your area or get a referral from your internal medicine doctor. I hope this helps. Take care.