I think anything is possible

[tweekie]

I think that although there are these big box categories like depression bipolar schizophrenia anxiety disorder I don't think its likely that you will only fit in one box. I think these are only labels. Sometimes its more importment of how your treatment is working. Does this mood stabilizer work for you? or do you need an antidepressant or both. that kind of thing. okay, i just took lunesta so now i go night night. bye bye

[paranoid_cataclysm]

I always thought of a diagnosis as something doctors made so they can know a generalized treatment plan to abide by and people sometimes incorrectly think that everyone with that diagnosis is exactly the same which this is never the case.

[Xila31]

I personally think that when the wiring is wrong it will affect other parts of your brain as well. Even though I have tons of anxiety that doesn't mean someone else will, even if they have bipolar or not. I'm just wired that way for some reason. Some people see things or hear things, other people don't. Some people  sleep for days, other people are still able to go to work every day. We're all different, and none of us is better or worse than anyone else, (including people without the diagnoses.)

I personally think it is better to know what is going on with yourself because that knowledge can give you power. Even when you're in a hard time you can look back later and see if there were triggers or whatever going on. Otherwise you really would feel like you were "crazy" all the time.

[ILADVOCATE]

That's partially because mood disorders and schizophrenia are clinically connected from what the latest research states. Some antipsychotics have mood stabilization properties. And of course there are no clinical tests that can prove any of these diagnoses in the same manner as diabetes or high blood pressure to take an example. However, as research progresses they are learning more. I am aware of a good deal of this research and a participant in some studies. As I stated I was prescribed a brand new anti-convulsant for my physical disability (which is not epilepsy) and as it turned out it had mood stabilization effects. They may very well go ahead and write up a case study as I've noted and may note that specific aspect. It will take many controlled studies to determine if its helpful in that regard in other people so that's why I don't post about it in the main discussion area. But as to why anti-convulsants (which is what most mood stabilizers are apart from lithium, in their original use) are helpful on bipolar, its from what they note that bipolar comes from an over activity in the limbic area of the brain (part that controls emotions). People experiencing mania are physically speeded up as well, including eating more, an increased libido and physically moving around rapidly (clinically psychomoter agitation) so some aspect is physical as well.
  As for a general answer, a specific mood stabilizer may be of use to some people and not to others. However, as clinically knowledge progresses they should be able to find out what specific mood stabilizer works on what sub category of mania and what would be right for what person. Things are progressing in this regard and not just treatment but specific knowledge of what will help each person can and will improve.