Drug Commercials: Bipolar Mania?!

[Furtherman]

Remember when almost every commercial was a car or truck commercial?

Now they're all drug commercials.

And one I saw the other day is a woman walking through the woods all mopey and sad.

The drug... whatever it is called... is for bipolar mania. MANIA?!

When did the disorder turn into a mania?

[Thebazile78]

Remember when almost every commercial was a car or truck commercial?

Now they're all drug commercials.

And one I saw the other day is a woman walking through the woods all mopey and sad.

The drug... whatever it is called... is for bipolar mania. MANIA?!

When did the disorder turn into a mania?

It's always been a mania.

Slang use of the word has confused what's actually going on.

Unless I am mistaken, "bipolar disorder" used to be diagnosed as "manic depression" (http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_bipolar_overview) because it is characterized by periods of extreme sadness/hopelessness (the 'depression' part) and mood swings to periods of extreme activity (the 'manic' part).

[hunnerbun]

Where's Dark Hippie when we need him?
He could explain it for sure.

[Furtherman]

Slang use of the word has confused what's actually going on

Ahhh. I see. Here I thought they bumped up the danger. Gave it little more pizazz to sell the product. Hmmmm..my kid's a maniac... give him that!

[MadMatt]

It's always been a mania.

Slang use of the word has confused what's actually going on.

Unless I am mistaken, "bipolar disorder" used to be diagnosed as "manic depression" (http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_bipolar_overview) because it is characterized by periods of extreme sadness/hopelessness (the 'depression' part) and mood swings to periods of extreme activity (the 'manic' part).

Ding! Ding! Ding!

Give that man a cigar!

As a sufferer, you have pretty much nailed it.

[Zorro]

Isn't bipolar the new schizo?

[Furtherman]

It's always been a mania.

Give that man a cigar!

Errrr...

[spoon]

It's always been a mania.

Slang use of the word has confused what's actually going on.

Unless I am mistaken, "bipolar disorder" used to be diagnosed as "manic depression" (http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_bipolar_overview) because it is characterized by periods of extreme sadness/hopelessness (the 'depression' part) and mood swings to periods of extreme activity (the 'manic' part).

Pretty much, but "extreme activity" is a little to Mountain Dew for me. It's all comes down to the HT/D neurotransmitters according to research at this time. Too much Dopamine in the system, in certain specific pathways can cause the term mania. Activities linked to mania are:

Inappropriate sense of euphoria (elation)
Racing thoughts; talking too much
Extreme irritability
Reckless behavior
Abnormal sleep
Excessive energy
Out of control spending
Difficulty concentrating
Abnormally increased activity, including sexual activity
Poor judgment
Aggressive behavior

The disruptive level of these and other actions could, and have ruined lives and careers. Yet, more mild cases have been linked to some of the most successful people in all fields. However, most people can't handle it and absolutely need help at this High stage of the disease, along with the low dep stage. Of course, most people in the high stage think all is well and usually never notice their actions until after. Hence they never go for help at this point, while in the dep stage (which is easily the more prominent feature, or most frequent of the cycle) easily leads to more hospitalizations and suicides.

[spoon]

Isn't bipolar the new schizo?

Not even close. What is this, the fashion or mental health we're talking about?

[MadMatt]

Errrr...

Oh, c'mon. You know what I meant!





Damn non-gender specific screen names...

[Sinestro]

Isn't bipolar the new schizo?

They're not even related.

[spoon]

They're not even related.

Well, some think they're second cousins!

Yet in all seriousness, they are somewhat related in the the fact that like agents show efficacy in the treatments due to both disease states having an impact on dopamine tracts. Excessive dopamine can cause the manic like symptoms of mania, while in schizophrenia, this same excess can cause symptoms of classic to paranoid schiz like hallucinations and the like.

[Mullenax]

I was dramatically "misdiagnosed" with bipolar disorder/mania in high school, and prescribed a few drugs that are now class-action lawsuits when given to teenagers (Paxil, for instance). The 2 hour "written test"/ diagnostic was totally hilarious. For example "True or False: I have not seen or ridden in a car for ten years" ; "True or False: Telephones do not exist"; "True or False: I hate my Father".

[Mullenax]

My point is, the popularity of "bipolar mania" as a widespread condition is disturbing. Not that it doesn't exist and make people suffer, but the new-and-improved treatments can be dangerous.