Mental Health True or False

  Here are some mental health statements. Are they true or false? The answers are below.

#1. OCD is an anxiety disorder.

#2. People with bipolar disorder have psychosis.

#3. Bipolar disorder in children is the same as bipolar disorder in adults.

#4. Lithium is the only true mood stabilizer.  

Answers:

#1  True! There are seven types of anxiety disorders, general anxiety disorder, social phobias, specific phobias, agoraphobia, PTSD and OCD

#2. Absolutely true.  When my partner Ivan was in the hospital for three months- he was manic and very psychotic. This is normal with a full blown bipolar I manic episode. The psychosis is treated with antipsychotics such as Abilify, Seroquel, Risperdal and Zyprexa.  I write about Ivan in my book Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder.

#3. False! The childhood bipolar disorder diagnosis is very controversial. In fact, in the last ten years the childhood bipolar disorder diagnosis [ Read More ]





Depression Euphemisms

I’m not doing my best. I’m happy to be here- that is what I say when someone says- hey Julie! How are you? I’m having a tough day. It’s not a great day, but I’m happy to see you! I’m using my treatment plan! It’s chasing me today. It’s lurking.

There are many more. Usually, I just say- “I’m really depressed today.” or, “Yesterday was really tough.”

Since I wrote Get it Done When You’re Depressed I feel better- I can visualize the list of tips in the front of the book and pick one when the days are tough.

Bla. Dumb depression. Terrible depression! But I will not let it ruin my life. The days may be difficult, but I will keep going- always.





Bipolar Hypomania vs. Full Blown Mania

That sounds like a boxing match. People who have full blown mania have Bipolar I. People who have hypomania have Bipolar II. It’s extremely important that you know what diagnosis you have.

I have quite a few friends with bipolar I. All of them have been in the hospital because of psychotic mania. If you have been hospitalized or you know someone who has been hospitalized for mania- they have Bipolar I.

I have Bipolar II. This means that I have all of the same depression symptoms as Bipolar I, but my mania is milder- which is why it’s called hypomania. Hypomania is so sneaky- it can destroy your life just like full blown mania- but because it’s milder it’s usually seen as a lack of personal control and is often not diagnosed.

Do you have full blown mania or hypomania? I talk about this in all of my books. It’s important to know the [ Read More ]





Posted on February 28th, 2008 | Tags: , , , , , , , | Category: Mania