Physical Conditions Can Mimic Bipolar Disorder
Monday July 31, 2006
Kim, parent to a daughter thought to have bipolar disorder recently wrote us regarding her daughter’s diagnosis. Two years ago Kim’s daughter was diagnosed with ultra rapid cycling bipolar disorder. Over the two years her daughter had been prescribed a number of medications none of which helped alleviated her symptoms. As it turns out, the medications were not helping because the diagnosis was completely wrong.
“We just found out through the Western Blot blood test that our daughter has been suffering with a severe neurological infection of Lyme disease. She is now on a heavy dose of antibiotics and there is a possibility that the numerous other body symptoms with which she also has suffered may reverse over time.”
One of the difficulties in arriving at a diagnosis of bipolar disorder is that there are a number of physical conditions that can mimic the presentation of or have similar symptoms to bipolar disorder of which Lyme disease is one. Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder: Ruling Out Other Physical Conditions
Comments
Yes, Lyme disease can sure be the culprit. although I am bipolar, meds did not seem to work. My physical symptoms increased. My doc sent me for a Lyme disease test and it came out to be positive. I was on antibiotics for two years, six months on intravenous antibiotics until my systems disappeared. I may have had one flare up since then.
Glad to see that the Lyme and bipolar connection is discussed here. A few years ago that would not have happened. I suspect as our understanding increases that the term “bipolar disorder” will become increasingly outdated as the physical underpinnings of CNS disorders are discovered, whether it be infections like Lyme, Bartonella or C. Pneomonia, or digestive problems secondary to Candida or other absorptons issues or a multitude of causes yet to be identified.
My daughter is being treated for bipolar disorder at UCLA medical center. AS she is 29 years old, I am not allowed to obtain any info from the staff ie: doctors or nurses. My daughter did have a bulls eye like thing on her leg when she was aroung 10. At that time I didn’t know about lyme disease. She also began having problems with aches and pains, and by 7th grade had began hyper like activity. I just called and left a message for the doctor to please test her for lyme disease. Is there anything else I can do to convince the dr. to test her? She is very paranoid and takes her anger out on me. Thanks to anyone for help. Gail
hi Gail:o)
I am very sorry to hear about your daughter. I have Lymes. It is difficult to get Lymes to come up on a test. I consider myself lucky that mine did (after 5 years). Look into ILADS. And don’t give up, I know I don’t mean to be who I am sometimes, mean, crazy, yelling. Lymes really screws with your mind. Please stand strong. There is new book, “The Cure Unknown”, by Pamela Weintraul(maybe spelled wrong). Maybe this can help:)
I am 18 years old, and during the end of summer, after no previous symptoms, i suffered what all of the doctors thought was a bipolar hypo manic episode. I was traumatised after being put into “medical centers”. Noone thought my diagnosis fit me, my aunt said to get tested for lyme disease and low and behold it cme up postive! i never thought id be happy to hear that i have lymes but i hope everything can be reversed and that i can eventually live a life without medication
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