Why would I define my manic episode differently than the way a psychiatrist defines a manic episode? I use the same DSM-IV-TR criteria, as shown below:MANIC EPISODE A) A distinct period of abnormally 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:
1) inflated self-esteem or grandiosity 2) decreased need for sleep (e.g., feels rested after only 3 hours of sleep) 3) more talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking 4) flight of ideas or subjective experience that thoughts are racing 5) distractibility (i.e., attention too easily drawn to unimportant or irrelevant external stimuli) 6) increase in goal-directed activity (at work, at school, or sexually) or psychomotor agitation 7) 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) C) The symptoms do not meet criteria for a Mixed Episode D) 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. E) The symptoms 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, light therapy) should not count toward a diagnosis of Bipolar I disorder. Bipolar II, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Attacks, Agoraphobia & PTSD; Alcoholic in recovery since 3/21/07.
Aplenzin 522mg; Pristiq 200mg; Lamictal 400mg; Geodon 160mg; Ativan 1mg TID; Deplin 15mg; Xanax PRN; Metoprol 100mg.
"Don't give up 5 minutes before the miracle happens."
"My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet." ~Edith Wharton
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." ~Ian MacLaren (Usually mis-attributed to Plato)
"And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." ~Anais Nin
My support and advice is not a replacement for medical diagnosis, treatment, or professional medical advice. |
"MDJ to me is an added phase in my recovery as a 44 year survivor of a TBI. I hope that with what I have lived through in those years, will be able to help all those who are just now going through. It is important to understand that even after 44 yrs, I am continuing to recover and to evolve. I just hope I can help others." (scotty04901)
