| Co-Morbidities the additional illnesses possibly present with BD |
Deb Johnson, CPC
Author/Speaker/Bipolar Chick
Author/Speaker/Bipolar Chick
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| Copyright 2010 Deborah Johnson, Bipolar Chick 2 the Rescue. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Statement, Medical Disclaimer & Copyright Statement |
Per the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH):
60% of those who suffer from Bipolar disorder are likely to suffer co-morbidities.
Self-medicating with alcohol or drugs appears to be very common among those with bipolar disorder.
Drugs and alcohol are typically abused in order to treat their symptoms. To complicate
matters,substance abuse may trigger or prolong bipolar symptom.
Additional illnesses such as PTSD and social phobia, also often co-occur among people with bipolar
disorder. Borderline Personality disorder and ADHD can present with symptoms that overlap with
bipolar disorder and can make proper diagnosis difficult.
Those with bipolar disorder are also at higher risk for thyroid disease, migraine headaches, heart
disease, diabetes, obesity, and other physical illnesses. These illnesses may cause symptoms of
mania or depression. They may also result from treatment for bipolar disorder.
My Experiences with Co-Morbidities:
Substance Abuse~
Though I would not refer to my drinking as alcoholism, I can say that I have used alcohol in order to
relieve physical as well as emotional pain. I rarely drink anymore partially as a result of my gastric
bypass but also in an effort to keep erratic behavior at bay.
As for drugs. I have used them to alter my emotional pain. Nothing too heavy, mostly pot. But it was
speed that was my drug of choice during high school for weight loss and eventually a suicide
attempt. Speed induced sleeplessness which induced mania which eventually pulled me from my
depressive wish to end my life.
I gave up drugs once I was pregnant with my daughter, something about illegal drugs and being a
mom just didn't work for me.
Anxiety and Brain Disorders~
I was diagnosed with Borderline Personality disorder several years after my initial diagnosis of
Bipolar disorder. The BPD diagnosis was eventually dismissed as only (only?) Bipolar disorder and
is now no longer considered a co-existing illness.
Physical Disease~
My struggle with obesity began when I was a teen-ager. I've often wondered if it was a coincidence
that it occurred concurrently with my first thoughts of suicide?
I was officially diagnosed with migraines in May of 1999, though I don't think it was the first. I was
given anti-depressants to combat the constant headaches, this eventually kicked me into mania
followed by a deep depression. These episodes lead to my diagnosis of Bipolar disorder in October
of 1999.
While adjusting to the new medications I was frequently subjected to blood tests. These tests
alerted the doctors to my diabetes in December of 1999.
To say that I suffer co-morbidities to Bipolar disorder is at the least an understatement.
60% of those who suffer from Bipolar disorder are likely to suffer co-morbidities.
Self-medicating with alcohol or drugs appears to be very common among those with bipolar disorder.
Drugs and alcohol are typically abused in order to treat their symptoms. To complicate
matters,substance abuse may trigger or prolong bipolar symptom.
Additional illnesses such as PTSD and social phobia, also often co-occur among people with bipolar
disorder. Borderline Personality disorder and ADHD can present with symptoms that overlap with
bipolar disorder and can make proper diagnosis difficult.
Those with bipolar disorder are also at higher risk for thyroid disease, migraine headaches, heart
disease, diabetes, obesity, and other physical illnesses. These illnesses may cause symptoms of
mania or depression. They may also result from treatment for bipolar disorder.
My Experiences with Co-Morbidities:
Substance Abuse~
Though I would not refer to my drinking as alcoholism, I can say that I have used alcohol in order to
relieve physical as well as emotional pain. I rarely drink anymore partially as a result of my gastric
bypass but also in an effort to keep erratic behavior at bay.
As for drugs. I have used them to alter my emotional pain. Nothing too heavy, mostly pot. But it was
speed that was my drug of choice during high school for weight loss and eventually a suicide
attempt. Speed induced sleeplessness which induced mania which eventually pulled me from my
depressive wish to end my life.
I gave up drugs once I was pregnant with my daughter, something about illegal drugs and being a
mom just didn't work for me.
Anxiety and Brain Disorders~
I was diagnosed with Borderline Personality disorder several years after my initial diagnosis of
Bipolar disorder. The BPD diagnosis was eventually dismissed as only (only?) Bipolar disorder and
is now no longer considered a co-existing illness.
Physical Disease~
My struggle with obesity began when I was a teen-ager. I've often wondered if it was a coincidence
that it occurred concurrently with my first thoughts of suicide?
I was officially diagnosed with migraines in May of 1999, though I don't think it was the first. I was
given anti-depressants to combat the constant headaches, this eventually kicked me into mania
followed by a deep depression. These episodes lead to my diagnosis of Bipolar disorder in October
of 1999.
While adjusting to the new medications I was frequently subjected to blood tests. These tests
alerted the doctors to my diabetes in December of 1999.
To say that I suffer co-morbidities to Bipolar disorder is at the least an understatement.
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