Posted by Scott L. Schofield on March 12, 2000, at 18:06:15
In reply to Re: Cam W...the world must be round, posted by Janice on March 12, 2000, at 14:13:07
> In my immediate family, there are 4 women - all who have cycling depression.
>
> At 16, I noticed my cycling depression.
> At 21 I started getting a bit manic (very much like what Noa and juniper describe).
> At 25, I was manic (talking to spirits).
>
>
> Now (7 years later), one sister (35yo) has become manic also - just in the past year.
>
> My other sister and mother (65 yo) have never shown any signs of mania - just the cycling depression that we all have.
>
> I would have a very hard time believing that our disorders are not related. So much is the same, except the mania. There must be many times when unipolar depression becomes bipolar.
>
> I believe what you've said could very well be true, but, AT LEAST, these two disorders must be related.
>
> What you wrote surprised me. I guess you challenged one of my assumptions (that I never even knew existed). Janice.
Just a couple of things I believe as of the time of this writing:1. Bipolar disorder and unipolar disorder are biologically separate entities.
2. Rapid-cyclicity probably indicates a bipolar-type disorder that can evolve into unequivocal bipolar disorder.
3. Bipolar disorder may not be recognized as such until mania appears for the first time.
4. Bipolar disorder shows markedly more heritability than does unipolar disorder.
5. Mania may never appear in bipolar disorder.
6. Mania may only appear when induced by drugs or other external influences in bipolar disorder.
All of the above are consistent with Janice's description of her family's presentations.
I reserve the right to change my mind.
- Scott
poster:Scott L. Schofield
thread:26511
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000312/msgs/26784.html