Please keep your appointments!

When you have bipolar disorder, it is very important to see your doctor on a regular basis, which means being sure to keep all your appointments.

It can be hard to stay motivated to see your doctor when you feel well, but this may actually be the most important time you have together. If your doctor gets to know you when you are well, they will have an easier time noticing when you don't seem yourself, perhaps indicating a change in mood or behavior that needs to be addressed.

In addition, if you take the time to get to know your doctor when you are well, then you will feel more comfortable acknowledging when you don't feel quite right, giving you the best chance of treating an episode of mania or depression before it gets out of hand.

Can A Picture of Your Mother Diagnose Depression?

Wouldn't it be nice to be able to diagnose psychiatric disorders, such as unipolar or bipolar depression, by looking at an MRI scan just like you would a bone fracture or a muscle tear? Unfortunately, at present there are no radiological tools available to help us with such diagnoses.

The Family Center for Bipolar team, in collaboration with an imaging team from Columbia University, conducted an fMRI imaging study which allows to correctly diagnose unipolar from bipolar depression in 25 out 28 young women. This is 90% accuracy!

Depression was diagnosed by the brain activity when women were looking at their mother's face compared to those of a stranger and a female friend.
 

When people get depressed, the glass always seems half-full and the whole world seems dark. It seems that this effect is very pronounced when you look at your mother.

The report is very complicated and technical -- for those interested in technical details you can read the original paper here. However, there is a much simpler article about our report in the Wired Science Blog on-line magazine that you can read here.

Enjoy!

Dr. G.

Be prepared!

Getting sick is bad, but getting sick and not having a safety plan can be even worse! Take a moment to build a plan with your loved ones that indicates what to do should you get sick and make sure everyone has a copy of the plan!

Here are some ideas for what to include in your plan:

1. List the names and contact information for all your doctors, case workers, or any other professional involved in your care
2. Make a list of all your medications you take and the reason you take each medication! Be sure to include any over-the-counter medications or supplements you take, as well as the doses of each medication and when you take them. You may want to note some possible side effects of the medications. This way you and your support network can be mindful of any side effects you could experience.
3. Write out any allergies that you have! Note any adverse reactions to medications or medications that you do not want to take and why!
4. Write down a list of people you trust who know about your disease and are willing to help you. Be sure to include their names and phone numbers! This can help you when you aren't feeling well. You may want to include a list of signs that you experience when you are starting to feel manic or depressive. Knowing these early signs that you might be getting sick can allow people to help you get care early.
5. Write down the names and numbers of any family members or employers that may need to be contacted if you experience an emergency or need to stay in the hospital for a period of time for treatment.
6. Write out your insurance plan information
7. Include in your safety plan any other directions that you have for your care. Be sure to include what kinds of medical interventions you do and do not want. You can include any "Advanced Directive" or "Living Will" documents with the plan!
8. Finally, you may want to indicate any instructions regarding the care of any pets or plants you have or regarding bills or other household matters should you need to be in the hospital.

Maybe some items above aren't for you. That's okay. This list is just to get you started on putting your plan together. You don't have to build your plan alone either. Talk with your doctor, your case manager, your family, or the other people you trust to help you build a plan that works for you. Make sure your doctor and the people on your support list have a copy of the plan so they can know how to best help you!