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shutterbug · 02-18-2008, 09:25 PM

Sweetie it all depends on the individual.
IF your son is bipolar then he can also be a rapid cycler. If he is a rapid cycler then it can be just as WLDKATZ said ....he could have a whole ton of quick passing manic episodes or he can also have a great deal of not-so-quick passing manic episodes.

If he's bipolar, but NOT a rapid cycler then if memory serves me correctly then 1-2 major episodes a year is typical, but ask the doctor and/or read that book i suggested, which explains all of this well.

WLDKATZ has a good point that shouldn't be dismissed....in my personal opinion, that is. I say this because of the psychotic features your son has experienced. Psychosis brings on a different set of possible diagnosises, seperate from bipolar disorder OR in addition to it.

Learning more info won't hurt, but not learning enough can. So if the psychiatrist suggest any other possible diagnsises then my suggestion would be to research them ...in addition to learning about the bipolar stuff.

------ Now......i'm not sure what you mean by "this is someone who i will continue to enforce his meds?" But if you mean "make" him take his meds.....be prepared for that not to work necessarily as one might hope.

BUT.....if he is bpI....and if the docs find the right combination of meds that will keep his moods stable then it is possible for him to live quite normally for a great length of time until the meds stop working and need to be changed or upped (possibly). The other thing to know is that, on average, it takes about 2 years for a bipolar to find the right combination of meds for them.....since we are all so different. However, if your son IS bipolar then i would HIGHLY recommend reading that thread that HistoryTeach posted not too long ago with a link to several bipolar articles in the New York Times.

In that thread and articles it tells of a test that can be given which can help 'speed' along the trial-and-error process of the med merry-go-round for us bipolars. I'd never heard of that test until reading that last week!!

good luck and best wishes,
Jenna

02-18-2008, 09:25 PM	#6 (permalink)
shutterbug A picture's worth a 1000 words Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: With any luck, I'm lost in a view finder Posts: 2,947 Blog Entries: 5	Sweetie it all depends on the individual. IF your son is bipolar then he can also be a rapid cycler. If he is a rapid cycler then it can be just as WLDKATZ said ....he could have a whole ton of quick passing manic episodes or he can also have a great deal of not-so-quick passing manic episodes. If he's bipolar, but NOT a rapid cycler then if memory serves me correctly then 1-2 major episodes a year is typical, but ask the doctor and/or read that book i suggested, which explains all of this well. WLDKATZ has a good point that shouldn't be dismissed....in my personal opinion, that is. I say this because of the psychotic features your son has experienced. Psychosis brings on a different set of possible diagnosises, seperate from bipolar disorder OR in addition to it. Learning more info won't hurt, but not learning enough can. So if the psychiatrist suggest any other possible diagnsises then my suggestion would be to research them ...in addition to learning about the bipolar stuff. ------ Now......i'm not sure what you mean by "this is someone who i will continue to enforce his meds?" But if you mean "make" him take his meds.....be prepared for that not to work necessarily as one might hope. BUT.....if he is bpI....and if the docs find the right combination of meds that will keep his moods stable then it is possible for him to live quite normally for a great length of time until the meds stop working and need to be changed or upped (possibly). The other thing to know is that, on average, it takes about 2 years for a bipolar to find the right combination of meds for them.....since we are all so different. However, if your son IS bipolar then i would HIGHLY recommend reading that thread that HistoryTeach posted not too long ago with a link to several bipolar articles in the New York Times. In that thread and articles it tells of a test that can be given which can help 'speed' along the trial-and-error process of the med merry-go-round for us bipolars. I'd never heard of that test until reading that last week!! good luck and best wishes, Jenna __________________ I'M FINE!! Fanatically Insecure Neuratic & Emotional Bipolar/Depression support: 1-800-950-NAMI(6264).