Bipolar vs Schizophrenia
Question:
>Could someone tell me the difference between bipolar disorder and >schizophrenia in lay terms for me. Symptoms of each and methods of >treatment for each. I know that’s alot to ask and I apologize in >advance.
Well, the best place to turn to is the DSM book for pshrinks. But since you don’t have that, and you want it in layman’s terms, let me refer you to Internet Mental Health at http://www.mentalhealth.com/fr71.html There, it has a quiz to test to see if you or someone else have various mental health disorders. Of course, it’s not as good as a doc, but it’s a start. As for a short response to your question, both schizophrenics and bipolars can see, hear, taste or feel things that aren’t there. However, the usual seperation is that bipolars have generally "nice" hallucinations,etc., while schizophrenics can have either "nice" or terrifying hallucinations. Bipolar people also have episodes of hypomania ( "controllable" mania ) and full-blown mania, where they are extremely active and full of energy. This generally, though not always, alternates with bouts of depression. Schizophrenics often have other symptoms, such as difficulty concentrating, bizarre delusions (e.g. They are God’s messenger, ) and other mental difficulties. Treatment for schizophrenia is generally atypical antipsychotics ( Risperdial, Zyprexa, etc. ) while treatment for bipolar disorder is generally lithum or Depkote/Depakene ( valprolic acid ). There’s also schizoaffective disorder, where patients present a mix of symptoms from both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Hope this answered your question. — Rob Meyer / atomic…@shaftnet.org| As Voltaire once said- Student, Assassin, Nice Guy | " Witty quotes mean nothing. " North Avenue Trade School |
Response:
Elizabeth wrote in message … >thomas <t…@bigfoot.com> writes: >> Could someone tell me the difference between bipolar disorder and >> schizophrenia in lay terms for me. Symptoms of each and methods of >> treatment for each. I know that’s alot to ask and I apologize in >> advance. >Hi Thomas, > This might help you some (from http://www.mhmrtc.org/):
More than a little informative… Jon.
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Could someone tell me the difference between bipolar disorder and schizophrenia in lay terms for me. Symptoms of each and methods of treatment for each. I know that’s alot to ask and I apologize in advance. Thanks, thomas
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thomas <t…@bigfoot.com> writes: > Could someone tell me the difference between bipolar disorder and > schizophrenia in lay terms for me. Symptoms of each and methods of > treatment for each. I know that’s alot to ask and I apologize in > advance.
Hi Thomas, This might help you some (from http://www.mhmrtc.org/): Affective psychoses Mental disorders, usually recurrent, in which there is a severe disturbance of mood (mostly compounded of depression and anxiety but also manifested as elation, and excitement) which is accompanied by one or more of the following: delusions, perplexity, disturbed attitude to self, disorder of perception and behavior; these are all in keeping with the individual’s prevailing mood (as are hallucinations when they occur). There is a strong tendency to suicide. For practical reasons, mild disorders of mood may also be included here if the symptoms match closely the descriptions given; this applies particularly to mild hypomania.1 bipolar A manic-depressive psychosis which has appeared in both the depressive and manic form, either alternating or separated by an interval of normality.1 atypical An episode of affective psychosis with some, but not all, of the features of the one form of the disorder in individuals who have had a previous episode of the other form of the disorder.2 depressed A manic-depressive psychosis, circular type, in which the depressive form is currently present.1 manic A manic-depressive psychosis, circular type, in which the manic form is currently present.1 mixed A manic-depressive psychosis, circular type, in which both manic and depressive symptoms are present at the same time.1 depressed type A manic-depressive psychosis in which there is a widespread depressed mood of gloom and wretchedness with some degree of anxiety. There is often reduced activity but there may be restlessness and agitation. There is marked tendency to recurrence; in a few cases this may be at regular intervals.1 atypical An affective depressive disorder that cannot be classified as a manic-depressive psychosis, depressed type, or chronic depressive personality disorder, or as an adjustment disorder.2 manic type A manic-depressive psychosis characterized by states of elation or excitement out of keeping with the individual’s circumstances and varying from enhanced liveliness (hypomania) to violent, almost uncontrollable, excitement. Aggression and anger, flight of ideas, distractibility, impaired judgment, and grandiose ideas are common.1 mixed type Manic-depressive psychosis syndromes corresponding to both the manic and depressed types, but which for other reasons cannot be classified more specifically.1 Bipolar disorder see Affective psychosis, bipolar atypical see Affective psychosis, bipolar, atypical Schizophrenia A group of psychoses in which there is a fundamental disturbance of personality, a characteristic distortion of thinking, often a sense of being controlled by alien forces, delusions which may be bizarre, disturbed perception, abnormal affect out of keeping with the real situation, and autism. Nevertheless, clear consciousness and intellectual capacity are usually maintained. The disturbance of personality involves its most basic functions which give the normal person his feeling of individuality, uniqueness, and self-direction. The most intimate thoughts, feelings, and acts are often felt to be known to or shared by others and explanatory delusions may develop, to the effect that natural or supernatural forces are at work to influence the schizophrenic person’s thoughts and actions in ways that are often bizarre. He may see himself as the pivot of all that happens. Hallucinations, especially of hearing, are common and may comment on the patient or address him. Perception is frequently disturbed in other ways; there may be perplexity, irrelevant features may become all-important and accompanied by passivity feelings, may lead the patient to believe that everyday objects and situations possess a special, usually sinister, meaning intended for him. In the characteristic schizophrenic disturbance of thinking, peripheral and irrelevant features of a total concept, which are inhibited in normal directed mental activity, are brought to the forefront and utilized in place of the elements relevant and appropriate to the situation. Thus, thinking becomes vague, elliptical and obscure, and its expression in speech sometimes incomprehensible. Breaks and interpolations in the flow of consecutive thought are frequent, and the patient may be convinced that his thoughts are being withdrawn by some outside agency. Mood may be shallow, capricious, or incongruous. Ambivalence and disturbance of volition may appear as inertia, negativism, or stupor. Catatonia may be present. The diagnosis "schizophrenia" should not be made unless there is, or has been evident during the same illness, characteristic disturbance of thought, perception, mood, conduct, or personalitypreferably in at least two of these areas. The diagnosis should not be restricted to conditions running a protracted, deteriorating, or chronic course. In addition to making the diagnosis on the criteria just given, effort should be made to specify one of the following subtypes of schizophrenia, according to the predominant symptoms.1 acute (undifferentiated) Schizophrenia of florid nature which cannot be classified as simple, catatonic, hebephrenic, paranoid, or any other types.1 acute episode Schizophrenic disorders, other than simple, hebephrenic, catatonic, and paranoid, in which there is a dream-like state with slight clouding of consciousness and perplexity. External things, people, and events may become charged with personal significance for the patient. There may be ideas of reference and emotional turmoil. In many such cases remission occurs within a few weeks or months, even without treatment.1 atypical see Schizophrenia, acute (undifferentiated) borderline see Schizophrenia, latent catatonic type Includes as an essential feature prominent psychomotor disturbances often alternating between extremes such as hyperkinesis and stupor, or automatic obedience and negativism. Constrained attitudes may be maintained for long periods: if the patient’s limbs are put in some unnatural position they may be held there for some time after the external force has been removed. Severe excitement may be a striking feature of the condition. Depressive or hypomanic concomitants may be present.1 cenesthopathic see Schizophrenia, acute (undifferentiated) childhood type see Psychosis, child chronic undifferentiated see Schizophrenia, residual cyclic see Schizophrenia, schizo-affective type disorganized type A form of schizophrenia in which affective changes are prominent, delusions and hallucinations fleeting and fragmentary, behavior irresponsible and unpredictable, and mannerisms common. The mood is shallow and inappropriate, accompanied by giggling or self-satisfied, self-absorbed smiling, or by a lofty manner, grimaces, mannerisms, pranks, hypochondriacal complaints, and reiterated phrases. Thought is disorganized. There is a tendency to remain solitary, and behavior seems empty of purpose and feeling. This form of schizophrenia usually starts between the ages of 15 and 25 years.1 hebephrenic type see Schizophrenia, disorganized type latent It has not been possible to produce a generally acceptable description for this condition. It is not recommended for general use, but a description is
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