Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Newly diagnosed with a few questions
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD) , bipolar disorder , dementia , electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) , learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) , panic , personality disorders, phobias , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , schizophrenia , stress , transitions, and work problems.
Newly diagnosed with a few questions
by Julie, Nov 24, 1999 12:00AM
I have recently been diagnosed with Bi-polar disorder. I have just a few questions that I hope can be answered "yes" or "no".
( I know you must get a lot of requests)
1. Can the birth control pill aggravate symptoms?
2. Can symptoms for women be aggravated during the monthly menstrual cycle? ( the "PMS" time especially)
3. Can Bi-polar illness begin in childhood?
4. Can over-the counter medications aggravate symptoms (i.e.cold medicines)
5. Can high sugar diet aggravate symptoms? ( Obviously not good for anyone :) )
6. Can things like caffiene and nicotine aggravate symptoms?
Thank you very much for your time!
Julie
( I know you must get a lot of requests)
1. Can the birth control pill aggravate symptoms?
2. Can symptoms for women be aggravated during the monthly menstrual cycle? ( the "PMS" time especially)
3. Can Bi-polar illness begin in childhood?
4. Can over-the counter medications aggravate symptoms (i.e.cold medicines)
5. Can high sugar diet aggravate symptoms? ( Obviously not good for anyone :) )
6. Can things like caffiene and nicotine aggravate symptoms?
Thank you very much for your time!
Julie
Doctor's Answer
by HFHS.MD-AJ, Nov 25, 1999 12:00AM
Julie,
The onset of bipolar disorder ranges from childhood (as early as age 5) to 50 years, or even older in rare cases, with a mean age of 30 years. I am not aware of any consistent data that suggest that bipolar disorder may be aggravated by birth control pills, menstrual cycles, over-the-counter medications, high sugar diet, caffeine, or nicotine.
The onset of bipolar disorder ranges from childhood (as early as age 5) to 50 years, or even older in rare cases, with a mean age of 30 years. I am not aware of any consistent data that suggest that bipolar disorder may be aggravated by birth control pills, menstrual cycles, over-the-counter medications, high sugar diet, caffeine, or nicotine.
