![]() |
|
August 23rd, 2011
01:29 PM ET
Could my bipolar brother develop schizophrenia?Every weekday, a CNNHealth expert doctor answers a viewer question. On Tuesdays, it's Dr. Charles Raison, an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Emory University, and an expert in the mind-body connection for health. Question asked by Benjamin from St. Catharines, Ontario I was wondering if my brother, who we have been told is bipolar, could develop schizophrenia? My uncle, my mom's brother, was schizophrenic and unfortunately fell victim to the mental illness. We are aware that there have been some mental health issues with males on my mother's side of the family, so could it be possible that he could be schizophrenic as well as bipolar? Dear Benjamin, Your question points to a major problem confronting the field of psychiatry, which is the imprecision of our diagnostic categories. The problem has a simple cause but no simple answer. The cause comes from the fact that all our disease states are based on symptoms and how they are clustered together, rather than on any real biological mechanism. In this way, our diagnoses are similar to the way most medical illnesses were defined before the 20th century. For example, in the old days people with fluid in the lungs and chest pain were said to have pleurisy - it was defined by its symptoms. Nowadays we recognize literally hundreds of different reasons for pleurisy symptoms, many of them with specific treatments that have no effect on other causes for pleurisy. Diseases such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are like pleurisy and not like adenocarcinoma of the lung or pneumococcal pneumonia or an aortic dissection, all of which cause pleurisy, but all of which are disease conditions based on an understanding of physical mechanisms rather than symptoms. Both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are better thought of as syndromes rather than specific diseases. As such, someone has schizophrenia if he or she meets symptom criteria for schizophrenia spelled out in the diagnostic manual. The same thing holds for bipolar disorder. It sounds simple enough, but things immediately get complicated. First, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder share important symptoms; for example, psychotic thought and behavior can be present in both conditions, making the syndromes hard to differentiate. If a person is heavy on psychosis and relatively light on either depression or mania, he or she looks schizophrenic and is called such. If a person is heavier on depressions and manias and only has psychotic episodes when in a mood state, he or she looks more like someone with bipolar disorder and is called such. To add to our diagnostic troubles, over time many people's symptom patterns swing from mostly psychotic to mostly mood-related and back again, making them sometimes seem schizophrenic and sometimes bipolar. And other people spend most of their lives in an intermediate state, with lots of psychosis and lots of depression or mania, but not enough to be fully bipolar. These people are called schizoaffective. By definition, a person can't have bipolar disorder and schizophrenia at the same time. But a person can sure struggle for years with psychosis, odd behavior and mood swings and be hard to classify clearly into one diagnosis or the other, which sounds to be the case with your brother. In the midst of these complications, there is some good news. More important than his exact diagnosis (which is after all only a description of his symptoms and how they cluster over time) is the fact that both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder respond to similar medications. The important thing is not his diagnosis, but his need to get into - or remain in - consistent treatment, which offers the best hope of providing a hopeful long-term outcome. |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() About this blog
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love. |
|
http://www.aa.autoa.dk/external/track.php?url=http://affordableranking.com&campaign_id=3185&customer_id=1120
Can I just say what a comfort to discover somebody who truly knows what they're discussing online. You definitely understand how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people need to look at this and understand this side of your story. I was surprised you aren't more popular since you surely possess the gift.
https://www.atome77.com/annuaire_sites_redirection.php?SiteID=1681&SiteURL=https://affordableranking.com
http://stockfootageonline.com/website.php?url=http://affordableranking.com
http://singingcello.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
You have made some decent points there. I looked on the net for more info about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this site.
https://www.m.snek.ai/redirect?url=https://affordableranking.com
http://www.otticanicolosi.com/?p=1
Hello there! This post could not be written any better! Looking through this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept talking about this. I'll forward this article to him. Fairly certain he's going to have a good read. Many thanks for sharing!
https://funai.gov.br/index.php/component/finder/search?q=https://affordableranking.com
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you penning this write-up and also the rest of the website is also really good.
http://kuzu-kuzu.com/l.cgi?http://ocrvcenter.com
When I initially left a comment I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now every time a comment is added I recieve four emails with the same comment. Is there a means you can remove me from that service? Thanks!
https://www.yilucaifu.com/redirect.html?path=http://ocrvcenter.com
After I originally commented I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I receive four emails with the same comment. Is there a means you can remove me from that service? Kudos!
http://www.flutrigger.biz/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
buy cialis c5 http://rcialisgl.com/ buy cialis
It’s hard to find educated people in this particular topic, but you seem like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
https://ibrew.pro/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
http://www.katstat.ru/go.php?url=http://affordableranking.com
Good blog you've got here.. It’s hard to find excellent writing like yours nowadays. I seriously appreciate people like you! Take care!!
http://clickonlinepharmacy.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
viagra name http://loxviagra.com/ – viagra dosage by weight viagra over the counter usa
You've made some really good points there. I looked on the net for more information about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this site.
http://muany.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
http://www.electricalguard.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.affordableranking.com
This is a good tip especially to those new to the blogosphere. Brief but very accurate information… Thank you for sharing this one. A must read article!
https://www.oceanbreezegolf.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
Greetings! Very helpful advice in this particular article! It is the little changes which will make the biggest changes. Many thanks for sharing!
https://dining-entertainment-auburn-ca.com/great-food-music/?wptouch_switch=desktop&redirect=http3A2F2Faffordableranking.com
http://skincareexperts.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
https://www.ridepatco.net/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
Your style is unique compared to other folks I have read stuff from. Thanks for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark this web site.
http://www.flagstarhomeloan.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
I must thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this blog. I really hope to see the same high-grade blog posts by you in the future as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my own website now 😉
https://www.iexperience.biz/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
http://www.brauernet.com/leon/forum/go.php?url=http://affordableranking.com
Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thanks, However I am experiencing issues with your RSS. I don’t know the reason why I am unable to subscribe to it. Is there anyone else getting the same RSS problems? Anyone who knows the solution will you kindly respond? Thanks!!
https://www.1stepmarket.info/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
Good blog you have here.. It’s difficult to find excellent writing like yours these days. I really appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!
http://www.opticaremanagedvision.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
http://www.smi-re.jp/contact/index.php?name=KukunaNeko&url=http://affordableranking.com
The next time I read a blog, Hopefully it won't disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, Yes, it was my choice to read, nonetheless I genuinely thought you'd have something helpful to say. All I hear is a bunch of complaining about something you can fix if you weren't too busy looking for attention.
http://www.erotiqlinks.com/cgi-bin/a2/out.cgi?id=70&u=http://affordableranking.com
https://packetlogistics.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
http://www.impression.ru/cgi-bin/clicks/redirect.pl?ei=riviera_tours&goto=http://affordableranking.com
best prices for generic cialis http://ucialisdas.com/ generic cialis?
http://adminer.org/redirect/?url=http://affordableranking.com
https://machodocrenaissance.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.affordableranking.com
An outstanding share! I've just forwarded this onto a friend who was doing a little homework on this. And he in fact bought me dinner due to the fact that I discovered it for him... lol. So let me reword this.... Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending time to talk about this issue here on your internet site.
http://ailimg.org/al/web/switchLanguage.html?lang=en&url=http://affordableranking.com
http://www.global-haircare.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
Very good article! We will be linking to this great article on our website. Keep up the good writing.
http://www.old2.mtp.pl/out/www.affordableranking.com
http://analyticalessay.com/redirect.cgi?query=http3A2F2Faffordableranking.com
https://www.flyandtravellounge.de/content?url=https://www.affordableranking.com/
http://www.coreshops.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
https://finefoodsoftheworld.net/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com
Hi, its pleasant piece of writing regarding media print,
we all understand media is a great source of facts.
https://www.web-forsite.ru/?l=affordableranking.com
Very nice write-up. I definitely appreciate this website. Thanks!
http://www.eugenwilliam.se/?wptouch_switch=desktop&redirect=http3A2F2Faffordableranking.com
https://tri-parishbank.biz/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=wholesalenearme.com
I'd like to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this site. I'm hoping to see the same high-grade content by you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my very own website now 😉
http://www.luxoft-training.com/bitrix/rk.php?goto=http://gomode.tv
This is a good tip especially to those new to the blogosphere. Brief but very accurate information… Many thanks for sharing this one. A must read post!
https://affiliates.streamray.com/p/offsite.cgi?http://youtube.com/watch?v=Hyl8G0Ukbbs
That is a great tip especially to those fresh to the blogosphere. Short but very precise info… Many thanks for sharing this one. A must read article!
https://www.streetmap.co.uk/redirect.srf?id=toshibam&d=https://ocrvmotorsports.com/rv-repair-shop-inland-empire-california
I need to to thank you for this fantastic read!! I absolutely enjoyed every bit of it. I have you book-marked to check out new stuff you post…
https://www.fens.org/EPiServerMail/Public/CheckLink.aspx?url=https://fleettruckrepairshop.com/van-maintenance-shop-near-me
http://wakolda.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=instagram.com/ocrvcenter
However, be apt to choose a site that is trustworthy. The reason why I pick Bama when compared to the best ever sold. Plus, it really helps build focus and strength of mind weed and blunt{The buzzing activities in the football fan gift shops go at least a new high the actual football world cup. Look at the comfort quotient of t-shirts while choosing one from them. Motivating where most go horribly wrong.|The other, shoot to find a box which isn't 80 of one's best box height.
https://pilotdiarystore.com/