Posted by banga on December 6, 2004, at 10:10:54
In reply to Re: Distinct Physiological entity » ed_uk, posted by SLS on December 6, 2004, at 9:43:31
The truth, as often in life, may lie in between. I dont belive people carrying a specific diagnosis are necessarily homogenous, yet I dont think it's the case that there are many many reasons why a person is exhibiting symptoms of a certain diagnosisand putting them in one category is meaningless. Twins and genetics studies hint at this...for instance, there are hints that there are perhaps two types within the bipolar group--one which is inherited as strictly bipolar, and another bipolar-exhibiting the same symptoms, yet is genetically related to unipolar depression. That is, one type is closely related to unipolar depression and both diseases show up in the family tree, the other is not and is passed on as bipolar only.
One thing to keep in mind when diagnosing hypomania is the clause that specifies that it interferes with functioning and is a DISTINCT DEPARTURE from usual functioning--enough to have people comment on it. Otherwise you can read almost any diagnosis and find elements of yourself in it. Yes, I get irritable, expansive and behave irresponsibly at those times, but does someone from the side say "what the h**?? What happened to her?? Whats going on somethings is suddenly really off. This is not like her."
Not that I am a DSM lover at all, or believe in the lines drawn for/between disorders is accurate...and yet we do need to have some way of defining things. As some pointed out, if you dont, the disorders become so diluted that they lose meaning. Clinicians need someplace to start, and a diagnosis can sometimes be validating and calming--"there is a name for my suffering and I am not alone."
poster:banga
thread:422741
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041206/msgs/425217.html