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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Mickie on October 22, 1998, at 13:31:55
I am still hoping to hear from someone who knows if a Type A personality exhibits some form of bipolar characteristics. As I said in my previous post, my husband is "depressed" in summers and "manic" starting about the first of September....he says the mood swings are work-stress related, but I think it's more bipolar. He is definitely Type A, is very driven and a perfectionist...has not been hospitalized or unable to work due to highs or lows. He tried lithium and was tooooo lethargic, now takes one lithium and one neurontin a day...seems to be in a stable mood now. Can anyone out there tell me where to learn more about neurontin (will it help level moods even if bipolar isn't the cause? is it for highs or low....how new is it?....any long term side-effects known (the doctor says NO side effects, but I have read about some breathing problems) and I'm curious about the possibility of similar Type A/bipolar traits? Thanks for any and all response!
Posted by rachel on November 2, 1998, at 14:45:31
In reply to Type A or bipolar???, posted by Mickie on October 22, 1998, at 13:31:55
i'm not a doctor, but i'm type 2 bipolar, and adhd, with a smattering of ocd. as far as types go? if i'm not mistaken, types (like myers-briggs, a & b, friendly & snooty, etc.) describe traits that a person is exhibiting now. types are categories invented to DESCRIBE different styles, qualities, traits, etc. types are a form of shorthand for pegging people---they are social identifiers, given to a person as a matter of convenience---they do not emminate from within a person.bipolarity, is a genetic defect in the hard-wiring of the brain. BIG DIFFERENCE. of course, if your (hypo) manic, you would be described as type a--- b if you are depressed. if it is a serious problem, then it's beyond the scope of a and b(see what i mean?); and finding out what exactly it is--- though that IS a pain---will save you a world of pain.
if the problem is bipolarity, it is especially important to get it diagnosed and treated properly as soon as possible, because each episode makes the next one more likely, and they get worse, last longer, and come closer together.
please, get the best doctor you can buy, educate yourselves, etc. if he's not bipolar great! if he is, the less time spent avoiding it, the better.
three bi-polar depressions took just about everything i had---left me with just about nothing; and at the mercy of state doctors, who may not even subscribe to the journals.
ps being bi-polar is a mood disorder, it doesn't mean you are "crazy".
Posted by jenny on November 6, 1998, at 15:47:08
In reply to Re: Type A or bipolar???, posted by rachel on November 2, 1998, at 14:45:31
I have been on anti-depressants for 5 years now
for major depression. Recently, I was diagnosed
as being bi-polar. My meds are Wellbutrin 150mg.
twice a day, and Amitriptaline 50mg. at bedtime.
My doctor wants to start me on Lithium, or a newer
drug, which is gabapentin. I'm growing tired of my
mood swings, and feel like this is alot of meds. to take. I would like any feedback if you are in a
similar circumstance, or can share any knowledge on either medication. Sometimes, I feel like I'm
the only person to feel so messed up inside, so
hope to hear from you soon.
Posted by Cheryl on January 13, 2000, at 13:05:20
In reply to medications for bi-polar, posted by jenny on November 6, 1998, at 15:47:08
>
> This is in regaurd to the lady who said she feels she is on too many meds. I am bi-polar as well. I dont know if I am on too many meds or not.I take 2 antidepressants a day (4 pills),1 antipsychotic (1 pill), 1 mood stabalizer (1 and a half pills),1 anxiety med (2 to 4 pills as needed). I feel like this is a lot of medication,but I am now able to hold a job and make good money. The only time I am not fine is when I play dr and try changing my own meds around. I hope you have a doctor you can trust.
Posted by Phillip Marx on January 13, 2000, at 13:37:54
In reply to Re: Type A or bipolar???, posted by Joy Worman on January 13, 2000, at 9:57:22
> I am still hoping to hear from someone who knows if a Type A personality exhibits some form of bipolar characteristics
> I am still hoping to hear from someone who knows if a Type A personality exhibits some form of bipolar characteristics. As I said in my previous post, my husband is "depressed" in summers and "manic" starting about the first of September....he says the mood swings are work-stress related, but I think it's more bipolar. He is definitely Type A, is very driven and a perfectionist...has not been hospitalized or unable to work due to highs or lows. He tried lithium and was tooooo lethargic, now takes one lithium and one neurontin a day...seems to be in a stable mood now. Can anyone out there tell me where to learn more about neurontin (will it help level moods even if bipolar isn't the cause? is it for highs or low....how new is it?....any long term side-effects known (the doctor says NO side effects, but I have read about some breathing problems) and I'm curious about the possibility of similar Type A/bipolar traits? Thanks for any and all response!
I think that Neurontin was discussed in a couple of articles and a letter as gabapentin in the Dec 2, 1998 edition of JAMA. I just looked (http://jama.ama-assn.org/ ) and it doesn’t seem to be online right now. Your hospital library might have one. My mom and I have both been on it. It only improves her mood in proportion to how much it reduces her pain.
Searching using Google.com resulted in 7,500+ hits (neurontin and gabapentin as single terms, I’m sure many overlap). Re: type A and/or B - go to http://www.google.com/search?q=%22type+A+personality%22&num=10
I think Type A and Type B are achievement drive personality characteristics and levels and bipolar disorders are "mood" disorders. Achievement can influence moods and moods can influence achievement.
The APA has a differential diagnosis decision tree for mood disorders including the major Bipolar disorders and other likely conditions. See DSM-IV, Fourth edition, paperback, page 696. I’ve asked for my HTML books back so I may be able to show it later or I may just text-diagram it for another class project someday. Discussion of mood disorders begins on page 332 and runs through page 391. Many other sections cross-reference back to it. A lot is said in those few pages, it takes multiple readings to lightly grasp. For example, the required criteria for a "Manic Episode" are: --- from page 332
CRITERIA FOR MANIC EPISODE
A distinct period of abnormality and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood, lasting at least 1 week (or any duration if hospitalization is necessary).During the period of mood disturbance, three (or more) of the following symptoms have persisted (four if the mood is only irritable) and have been present to a significant degree:
inflated self-esteem or grandiosity
decreased need for sleep (e.g., feels restored after only 3 hours of sleep)
more talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking
flight of ideas or subjective experience that thoughts are racing
distractibility (i.e., attention too easily drawn to unimportant or irrelevant stimuli)
increase in goal-directed activity (either socially, at work or school, or sexually) or psychomotor agitation
excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have a high potential for painful consequences (e.g., engaging in unrestrained buying sprees, sexual indiscretions, or foolish business investments)
The symptoms do not meet the criteria for a Mixed Episode (see p. 355).The mood disturbance is sufficiently severe to cause marked impairment in occupational functioning or in usual social activities or relationships with others, or to necessitate hospitalization to prevent harm to self or others, or there are psychotic features.
The sysmptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication, or other treatment) or a general medical condition (e.g., hyperthyroidism).
Note: Manic-like episodes that are clearly caused by somatic antidepressant treatment (e.g., medication, electroconvulsive therapy, ligth therapy) should not count toward a diagnosis of Bipolar I disorder.
Posted by Anna P. on January 17, 2000, at 12:02:55
In reply to Re: Type A or bipolar???, posted by Joy Worman on January 13, 2000, at 9:57:22
> > Hello there!
I've experienced a similar problem to your husband. I'm just opposite - getting depressed every spring and at the beginning of the fall. I require high amounts of medications spring and fall, but during the summer I stay on a small maintanence doze.
In addition, I developed the tolerance for antidepressants which means they start working quickly and fade with time. I tried various forms of augmentation. It's very desperating, and I had to give up my career as my medication stopped working 16 months ago. Is this some form of bipolar disorder? I don't experience mania or hypomania.
I don't know much about cycling either.
Dr. Bob, Toby, anyone?Anna P.
Posted by Elaine on January 22, 2000, at 23:33:16
In reply to Re: Type A or bipolar???, posted by Phillip Marx on January 13, 2000, at 13:37:54
If you do a search for neurontin or gabapentin you will get some good information, including from the manufacturer, I believe.
It does seem to be without side effects for the most part. Obviously, any medication can cause a reaction in someone, since we all have a different chemical make up.
My psydoc says neurontin stabilizes moods, both anxiety and depression, although the primary use seems to be for the more manic symptoms. I am not clasically bipolar so she is using it more for anxiety type symptoms. I would think it might help Type A personality since it works on the nerves to quiet them down. Might be worth looking into.
Posted by Elaine on January 22, 2000, at 23:39:49
In reply to Re: Type A or bipolar???, posted by Anna P. on January 17, 2000, at 12:02:55
I haven't heard you say anything that would indicate you have any manic symptoms. What happens when you're not depressed? The only thing I know about spring depression is that my psydoc recently said that a lot of people get most depressed in the spring. Apparently, it's because people are coming awake again after being more dormant during the winter. You could have a difficult depression or even a symptom of a lot of other things, including physical problems or PTSD.
Posted by morningstar on March 8, 2001, at 19:53:10
In reply to Re: Type A or bipolar???, posted by Elaine on January 22, 2000, at 23:39:49
> Today I discuss with my couselor that I maybe Bi-Polar. Because of the things I disclosed with my her. She feels that we need to explore it. I am not sure why I am writing this other than-shock. Right now, I am very teary eyed and tired. Depress cannot even describe it. I have battled these feelings for years. Looking back and seeing it on paper. I am just empty, other than feelings of panic and shouting NO(denial) I am on a new anti-depressant (my medical doctor put me on before I started counseling - Serzone 400 mg a day)that is helping-slightly. At first when she(the counselor) suggested it(Bi-polar). I wanted to run away and hide. Then I asked my husband one queston. Am hyper at times? YES, then you get crazy. I asked how? Kidding right? You get all moody, you'll want to take off and travel, buy things we don't need, clean until 3 a.m. or so, run around like there is a fire and that is a few things in the last six years I have notice. When I asked why he had not said anything before, he said I did not want to hear about it later. (Meaning I yell at him, because I am angry at nothing, but he gets it) I have stop throwing things, simply because I have to clean it up later. (I have done some very impulsive things, sometimes good ones in the end, like at 32 join the army national guard at 34 go back to school rec'd my BS. Others not so good 4 marries, only one that was a courthsip longer than 4 yrs. Most were 30 days, lasting 4 yrs and out the door, divorced, and the guy is scrathing their heads trying to understand what happen) I am hard on relationships, My husband has his bad points, but it does not help because I have yelled at this man in grocery store over nothing- Asking him what he wants to eat for supper, and I yell at him because it was not chicken. I have always talked so fast that my grandfather and dad started calling me "Dutchy" because it was so fast. I use to joke about it, because I could make money on TV like the man in the commericals. Instead I got sent to speech therapy to slow me down(it only made me more aware that everyone else cannot talk that fast or understand that fast). I would come up with the stuipd fanties about myself. Which I am now ashamed of. I am in recovery for chemical abuse, mostly alcohol, nearly six years. I think I was having a crisis then, dropped the kids off and ran to rehab, to rest ( has having thought of hurting myself and I did not want to die)Back then (1994). There have been times when I have changed everything about me. From my hair color, my weight, how I dress,(from country, to leathers to business attire.) NUTS! It was not normal, looking back now I understand my family joked about that. They use to say, wait a few mintues she'll have a new man, and new hair style. For the last 3 weeks. It is all I can do to get to work, I cannot keep up with the daily duties, the same very ones that I would have done and then help everyone else with last year. Now it seems so over whelming. Even my coworkers have noticed. One mentioned that I was so hyper at work that she thought I was using speed, now I look so tired and sad...
I am sorry I need to unload. I apologize my rambling is difficult to read. My mind races so much, it wears me out. The sad part--is I have a BS in psychology, and I could not see the forest for the trees.
This is the end of the thread.
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