A Test for Bipolar Disorder?
Monday March 24, 2008
A couple of years ago when I took part in a clinical study, I also signed up to have a blood sample included in genetic testing, but I never expected this. A firm called Psynomics is selling a test kit that it says will help tell if you have bipolar disorder and another for whether you will respond well to serotonin-based antidepressants. You collect some saliva and send the sample back to them; they will run the genetic tests. I registered at the site and still couldn't find pricing without giving them more personal information than I wanted to, but an AP news story by Marcus Wohlsen gives a price of $399.
The co-founder of the company, Dr. John Kelsoe, is a long-time and respected researcher into the genetics of bipolar disorder. Still, I don't like the fact that you can't see the cost of the two tests up front. Such testing is not FDA regulated, and I don't think I'd be spending $400 not covered by insurance unless I had a lot of money and felt I wasn't getting a proper diagnosis.
~Marcia
Comments
I was looking online for a test(free online) and came across this– I was diagnosed by a psychiatrist and a psychologist, and niether found me to be “Bipolar”, yet a mere “Nurse Practisioner did…which, I do NOT in anyway shape or form think I am. I react to and show normal outbursts, cry, laugh, smile or frown depending on the circumstances surrounding what is happening in my life…I have had a rough time since a motor vehicle accident and dealing with offices that Claim to “assist” the physically disabled…this can be quiet frustrating…esp. when you feel as though your talking to deaf ears! To end– I’m outraged at the cost of proper testing…and REFUSE to poison my mind body and soul with medications that CAUSE more problems then they cure…AND, if you have not had a brain scan or an MRI and are given medications…you’re a fool. The FDA is a BILLION DOLLAR BUISNESS, they would NEVER tell you that an “apple a day will cure Acid reflux, gerd, heart burn…” (((UNLESS you have known stomach ulcers, red delicious apple or a red gala apple a day, will indeed cure)
They also wouldn’t tell you that a simple handful of (15 or more) Almonds will cheer you up! Yogurt (plain with real fruits added) will help…soy and sooo much more, aid in stress and depression…STOP smoking, STOP drinkning alcohol and get out and walk! No need for gym equipment…walking is by far and ALWAYS has been the best for any form of stress or depression!
And turn off that sorry crap on TV…watch uplifting spiritual shows if you MUST watch anything– still down and under– check and double check the people you associate yourself with…sometimes thy can be the main problem!
Good-luck,
Peggy.
You need to speak with an MD, not take the advice of someone on a public forum such as this. I am Bipolar and not ashamed to tell you that. And I take three different Bipolar medications, which I have finally fine-tuned to be the proper dosages just right for me. It took a year to find out what was just right, but the quality of my life is now wonderful. In terms of this $399 test: run, don’t walk to your nearest exit! There is no test for Bipolar Disorder. But, obviously, there are people who like to take people’s money. Please find a doctor to discuss your medical issues with. They will help you best. Then team up with them, keep track of your symptoms, and you will get better, much better. I know I have.
All of my life I have been listening to music in my head, hearing voices just as I am about to drift off into sleep, and in the past 7 years I have become a disorganized, mumbling wreck of a human being.
I have been diagnosed with ADD, am certainly fighting paranoia (as I have been all my life), and can’t hold down a job. Depression is more than just a word to me - I live as if the sun will never rise again, and when it does, I simply shrug my shoulders and wonder what new torture life has in store for me today.
When faced with anger or a threatening situation I just shut down. Recently my symptoms have cost me yet another job. I am a very intelligent person, but I just can’t pull it together long enough to keep myself upbeat and positive. I do have brief moments where I am full of energy and looking forward to a new challenge, but then there is the rest of my life. Full of gloom, self-doubt tot e max, and otherwise just unable, (not unwilling, because I WANT to be “normal”!), to go from minute to minute without some internal distraction yanking me like a fishing hook from what I need to be doing into some strange territory where I am following some elusive rabbit down the rabbit hole, like Alice in her strange and dangerous Wonderland.
In a way I feel like I am living in some sort of twisted comic book, and it’s as if the writer has not formulated any plan for the story – it merely goes on from one frame to the next with no rhyme or reason, no logic or sense, only the feeling that a greater doom sits waiting just over the frame’s edge and I am helpless to prepare for it or know what to do to fight it. And then there’s that nagging feeling that fighting it just robs me of what little energy I still possess.
Bi-polar? Maybe so. I’ve been more or less on a roller coaster all my life, but in the past decade the depression side of things has commanded far too great a portion of this carnival ride.
Hi this message is for Jeff…I am really sorry that you are feeling so gloomy. It sucks i know. I am no dr but i am bipolar and you sound like me. I just started a new med. Wish marijuana wasn’t outlawed, that stuff works really well.
Thanks, Hope. I am starting to see a clinician to get to the root fo all this. I have another appointment today. I hope I don’t have BP but if I do, I want to explore many options.
I am allergic to to weed, so for me that wouldn’t be an option, but maybe one day more reasonable people will realize it’s not an evil thing to use marijuana.
Others in my family may have BP but haven’t been able to get up the courage to check it out. I was like that a few months ago. Situation changed, Jeff got scared and went to see the doc. too bad there is such a negative stigma attached to mental health issues - if you get a sore throat you go see a doctor and ghet treated. Why do mental health illnesses have so many fears of being exposed as a somehow damaged or dangerous to society attached to it?
One day we’ll learn.
I guess you don’t know the definition of a “depressant” = a drug that causes depression will not only mess with your prescribed medication but will cause DEPRESSION! Taken over time weed will cause you to become increasinly more depressed. And if you use any drug to avoid feeling, those bad feelings grow untill they own you and then the race begins.Because you need more drugs to run from them.
I am a 17 year old teenager that has A.D.H.D, I am Bipolar I think I was born like this. How can I get rid of this disorder??? Will I ever be able to ghet rid of this????
Jeff I do to hope you can get some relief. I know its hard to say but screw society and stigma, I have had it all my life and I know its terrible to be stigmatised by people. I guess I am trying to say forget them I need happiness. Ona end note I really really hope this doesn’t sound insulting its not meant to be ib fact its a compliment. Do you write have you thought of writing? You have kind of a kerouac type free writing there and good detail. It helps to get it out. If you can in time find a writing class your good! is that ok to say