brand new here, have a question
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| Fri, 01-05-2007 - 5:48pm |
I have been going to counseling for close to a year now and my T thinks there is a high likelihood that I have a mood disorder, most likely BPII. I am feeling extremely overwhelmed by the whole idea to be honest. Right now I just feel like I'm depressed, but I've been reading diagnostic information all day and I have to admit that it seems likely.
Coincidentally, because of my line of work I have read a lot of information regarding the treatment of mood disorders with Omega-3 fish oils. I'm very interested to know if any of you have been treated with Omega-3's, either alone or in conjunction with some other form of medication. How likely is it that a person with BPII, or a "low grade" bi-polar (if there is such a thing) could be treated exclusively this way?
I have the name of a psychiatric nurse practicioner that my T referred and I will be calling to schedule an appointment. Any information that you all could provide me with prior to that would really be appreciated.
Thanks!
BB

Low grade bipolar...I had to laugh a little at that one. Bipolars go through ups and downs. Bipolar II usually has more depressed moods than highs though. I have never been treated with Omega-3 oils, but I have heard it being added to other med combos before. I don't know how well it works. I would think just like every other med...it works differently with each person, ya know?
The thing with mental illness, like depression and bipolar, people suffer differently. Some bipolars when manic are funny and have a wild great time while others may be very irritable and angry and not so fun to be around. Also, some bipolars get very suicidal a lot and some don't. There is so many levels and there really isn't a black and white answer. There are however, symptoms that are guidlines to go by for dx'ing bipolar and depression.
I hope you are able to get in to see the NP and see if she can help you. I personally didn't have a good result with a NP but had to see a pdoc who was more informed and experienced, but there are some good NP out there and I hope yours will be one of them.
I don't know if I helped at all but there will be others with their knowledge and opinions for you as well that I hope will post to you.
Keep posting and welcome to the board !!
Tina
~ Tina ~
BB,
As far as I know there has not been
Thanks for the input. I read a book calle "The Omega-3 Connection" by Dr. Andrew Stoll and he talks about the research studies done and they seemed to have some positive outcomes. However, he also clearly says that most of the participants in the study were also on traditional meds--only 9 (I believe) were not on any other medications coming into the study. He recommended that no one start out on Omega-3 alone. Wishful thinking I guess...it seems so much more palatable to take a "natural" supplement!
The first poster mentioned that BPII has more depressive episodes along with suicidial thoughts. This describes me very well, although it is hard to know. I can see myself in EVERYTHING I have read about it. The rapid cycling, the mixed episodes...looking back I can see doing all of that. It sounds like while a person might be diagnosed with BPII or whatever, they call it a "spectrum" for a reason.
I appreciate the answers and support. I am looking forward to getting an evaluation and finding out for sure. I am a little leery of going to a NP, but my T really recommended her highly and said she is very good with mood disorders and also is great with PMS related issues as well. There is an excellent new pdoc here that I will go see if I don't feel the NP is as knowledgeable as she is reported to be.
Anyhow, thanks for all of the input and it is always good to find other like-minded people to share with!
BB
BB,
In our area at least Psych NP's (and there are few of them), usually just do prescreening for the pdocs & then refer to one if they thinks it's warranted, although I have heard of some in other areas they actually can prescribe.