synergy

After some of the comments regarding bipolar remission that were made last week, I realized that I was confused about exactly what remission entailed. With that thought, I began actually doing some research as to what K and I should expect from a remission diagnoses. I stumbled across the DSM-IV additional treatment guide for bipolar disorder, thanks to McMann's Depression and Bipolar Web.

John McManamy does a better job than I could of discussing 2002 changes to the DSM-IV regarding the possibilities of bipolar remission. But, the short version is that in 1994 the best hope for a patient with bipolar disorder was to have fewer episodes. In 2002, the opinion has been revised to say "Treatment is aimed at stabilization of the episode with the goal of achieving remission, defined as a complete return to baseline level of functioning and a virtual lack of symptoms." Check out his article if you are interested. Suffice to say, the study and understanding of bipolar disorder continues to evolve.

After finding this article, I turned to the actual DSM-IV Revised Guidelines for Treating Patients with Bipolar Disorder

It was fascinating in that K's treatment plan was described almost to the last detail, along with lengthier descriptions of symptoms, implications, and impacts. It didn't say anything fundamentally different than what her psychiatrist told us, but he gives us quite a bit of information. There are definitions of the different states of bipolar disorder, manic, depression, and mixed. The treatment alternatives as well as cautionary notes are included. It is worth investigating.

The surprising thing is that the understanding and treatments for bipolar disorder continue to evolve. It's very good, but somehow I expect the doctors to have already gotten to the root of the problems and not continue to work on it. I realize that my thoughts make no logical sense, but I still was surprised that in an 8 year period the prognosis for bipolar moved from trying to reduce the number of episodes you live with to an expectation that the episodes can be fully controlled through medication. Very different impacts on the patient's life.

On a more personal note, it's been a good four-day weekend for us. We got irritated with each other a couple of times over the past few days, but nothing particular stands out as a problem. The week will be short, as we also have Thursday off for the coronation.

posted by synergy @ 5:15 PM