Blood test could reveal bipolar disorder (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23337532/)

By Steve Mitchell
MSNBC contributor
updated 4:01 p.m. CT, Mon., Feb. 25, 2008


A blood test could be used to diagnose and assess the severity of certain mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder, according to a new study. But some experts think this raises ethical concerns about prying into a person's mental status.

Lab tests that can accurately detect mental illnesses have long been considered the “Holy Grail” of psychiatry. Currently, bipolar disorder and other conditions such as depression are diagnosed based on the patient's description of their symptoms and the physician's judgment, sometimes making it difficult to get an accurate diagnosis or determine the severity of a patient's condition. But now researchers have shown that 10 genes that can be detected in the blood could provide a better way to assess a patient.

“Patients aren’t sure how ill they really are, and neither is the clinician — sometimes dismissing their symptoms, sometimes overestimating them,” said Dr. Alexander Niculescu, III, a psychiatrist at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, who led the research published Tuesday by the journal Molecular Psychiatry. “Having an objective test for disease state, disease severity, and especially to measure response to treatment, would be a big step forward.”

{End Quote}

I only copies the first portion but when I read this I thought about the members here on the "cycling team" I thought it may be worth a read.

Thanks for posting this. I read it the other day on MSNBC but couldn't figure out how to do a link.

I thought about the article a lot when I read it and I had two reactions. I wondered how different my life could have been had there been a blood test to tell me I was bipolar.

The other part of me felt scared-- I still live in a quasi-denial of my mental illness. Some days, I convince myself that my diagnosis has all been a horrible mistake or a figment of my imagination. If there were a test, then I wouldn't be able to question my bipolar anymore and I would be faced with the incontravertible fact that, yes, I really do suffer from this illness.

Just curious, what does everybody else think?

Thanks for posting this. I read it the other day on MSNBC but couldn't figure out how to do a link.

I thought about the article a lot when I read it and I had two reactions. I wondered how different my life could have been had there been a blood test to tell me I was bipolar.

The other part of me felt scared-- I still live in a quasi-denial of my mental illness. Some days, I convince myself that my diagnosis has all been a horrible mistake or a figment of my imagination. If there were a test, then I wouldn't be able to question my bipolar anymore and I would be faced with the incontravertible fact that, yes, I really do suffer from this illness.

Just curious, what does everybody else think?


My sister is excellent at finding nifty articles. :D


I don't really live in a constant battle with self about my bipolar. I don't think I have ever thought since I have been diagnosed it was wrong?

I did struggle in the beginning with the diagnoses. But I guess my perspective is that it explains so very many things in my life. Not that I don't take responsibility for a lot of things I did wrong, because it was just me, but a lot of it could have gone better, or differently if I was either not Bipolar or diagnosed a lot earlier. And I guess the lemonaide out of lemon thought process for me, is there is relief for this illness, unlike many that are out there.

At the end of the day I guess I am one of the lucky few who has found meds that work, come to a place of acceptance, and now use what I can to help others, and use the more creative and unique sides of me that come with being Bipolar? Hope that doesn't sound cheesy...this is just my way of living with it as healthy as possible?


But it would be awesome to be able to know the "degree" of your Bipolar, to aide in better medication therapies? It can certainly help with the misdiagnoses out there, and help solidify that someone really has it or not. It is so very hard to determine it sometimes if there are not clear cut signs, or family history. So many things mimic it in the early stages or if you are a BPII. I saw good doctors for years for my ADD and they never knew.

Thanks for sharing that Meadd!

Right now I feel like I would DEFINITELY go get tested, if one existed. I am very suspicious about any dx I've been given - so a definite "yes" or "no" would mean a lot to me. I think a lot of that has to do, also, with how other people in my life view certain illnesses.

The doctor who works at the substance abuse clinic I attend has "really encouraged" me to have a "full ___________ evaluation" because I've been depressed so long. My therapist, however, insists that there "is NO WAY I could be bipolar." My sister, on the other hand, who IS dx with bipolar, always asks me when I'm going to see someone about my "issues." When I tell her I've been in weekly therapy for YEARS, she says that I OBVIOUSLY need to find someone else. (I wonder if she's not just being mean and bullying me. I always ask her for specifics and she'll never give any. Just gives me the cold shoulder after that. *****!)

Sue

Well that is why there are phychiatrists, to diagnose mental illnesses, and therapists who are NOT doctors who help us with our feelings, emotions, past and baggage. I wouldn't rely on what a therapist says to determine if you are or are not BP.

Why would you think you don't have BP? I was depressed for the better part of my life. Not so dark that i didn't get out of bed for weeks or months, sometimes I would lose weekends, as I got older, my depression was just more of a low level constant? And the hypomania was so slight and short in spans that it was barely noticable until it was full blown? If you are a rapid cycler BPII , not only are we hard to dx because we switch moods quickly, we often have days of "normal" inbetween. Perhaps she is not being mean, perhaps she is recognizing something in you that she identifys with, but doesn't have the right communication skills to discuss it with you? ~shrug~
Just another perspective Sue.

As much as I have come to terms with it, I would have the test too.
So I hear you, I just wanted to offer another perspective that is all.

OMG Justhope!! I would LOVE to get a correct dx of bipolar - IF, indeed, I have it. And I have seen psychiatrists, and they ask me, ALWAYS ASK ME, if I ever find that I go without sleep and DON'T MISS IT? I would have to say "NEVER." I cannot identify with the "excess energy" and/or "not needing much sleep and not missing it" thing.

I have gone through periods of not getting ENOUGH sleep - mainly because I had a major drinking/drug habit and I was in my early 20's - no relationship & no responsibilities other than working 40 hrs, 7am - 3pm. Sometimes - after work - I'd usually take a nap if I planned to go out . . . THEN at 9:00 p.m. go out DRINKING, etc. w/friends until the wee hours. Get a little sleep and then be at work for 7:00 a.m. It SUCKED! But I believe the chemicals in my system - plus being young and having a work/buddy who'd been through the same evening with me, right there by my side - that got me through it. Then - I might do it again. But I think that was due to YOUTH! Plus desperation to find "Mr. Goodbar." Plus having a substance abuse problem.

Other than that period, I seem to be notorious as someone who MUST get her full night's sleep+ one way or another . . . sometimes that means a 2 - 4 hr nap late in the afternoon.

So THAT seems to be where any B.P. dx possibility stops!

But I would even want to take the test just for PROOF of having the other dx. I believe that many people think I'm someone who has just manipulated therapists in order to sponge off the gov't. That is what bothers me VERY MUCH! (Plus - I've worked HARD most of my life . . . I've only been receiving disability for like TWO YEARS . . . but I feel as if everyone views me as a WRETCHED, DISGUSTING human being because of this. I know my family no longer talks to me - right when I really NEED somebody too - ever since I've NOT BEEN WORKING! I may as well be a pedophile as far as they're concerned. This REALLY HURTS ME!)

Thanks, Hope!

Sue

I'd hate to see the prognosis of my blood test LOL

OMG Justhope!! I would LOVE to get a correct dx of bipolar - IF, indeed, I have it. And I have seen psychiatrists, and they ask me, ALWAYS ASK ME, if I ever find that I go without sleep and DON'T MISS IT? I would have to say "NEVER." I cannot identify with the "excess energy" and/or "not needing much sleep and not missing it" thing.

I have gone through periods of not getting ENOUGH sleep - mainly because I had a major drinking/drug habit and I was in my early 20's - no relationship & no responsibilities other than working 40 hrs, 7am - 3pm. Sometimes - after work - I'd usually take a nap if I planned to go out . . . THEN at 9:00 p.m. go out DRINKING, etc. w/friends until the wee hours. Get a little sleep and then be at work for 7:00 a.m. It SUCKED! But I believe the chemicals in my system - plus being young and having a work/buddy who'd been through the same evening with me, right there by my side - that got me through it. Then - I might do it again. But I think that was due to YOUTH! Plus desperation to find "Mr. Goodbar." Plus having a substance abuse problem.

Other than that period, I seem to be notorious as someone who MUST get her full night's sleep+ one way or another . . . sometimes that means a 2 - 4 hr nap late in the afternoon.

So THAT seems to be where any B.P. dx possibility stops!

But I would even want to take the test just for PROOF of having the other dx. I believe that many people think I'm someone who has just manipulated therapists in order to sponge off the gov't. That is what bothers me VERY MUCH! (Plus - I've worked HARD most of my life . . . I've only been receiving disability for like TWO YEARS . . . but I feel as if everyone views me as a WRETCHED, DISGUSTING human being because of this. I know my family no longer talks to me - right when I really NEED somebody too - ever since I've NOT BEEN WORKING! I may as well be a pedophile as far as they're concerned. This REALLY HURTS ME!)

Thanks, Hope!

Sue


That is so sad Sue. I am sorry it has been that way for you. I never had an issue with not sleeping before the progression in my late 30's. I always required more sleep than normal people too. I would go to bed at 10pm and sleep until 12pm. Then still be tired. Now I understand that was the depression. Even on my "normal" days I still require at least 9 hours to feel rested. I could NEVER take a nap less than 2 hours or it was a big waste.
Heck I lay down to take a 2 hour nap and wake up the next day. YIKES.

Looking back I believe the the only hypomanic cycles only showed up in the form of rapid speech, and euphoric ideations of the great things I was going to do that day or the rest of my life, calling every one I know and telling them about it for hours, then after a day or two , it would end like the rest of them before it. I never stayed up for days or required less sleep then. I like you drank and did the same things in my younger years, so staying up all night was a result of being out all night and going to work.

It was not until about 1 year before my diagnoses the depression got really bad. I was sleeping most nights right after work, and my weekends I slept completely away. Then about 6 months before I went the mania got bad, and became a clear pattern even I could not ignore. So see, I spent the better part of my life on the "livable" edge of it. I know now it was always there , but the progression took years. And while I thought I was just destined to have great ideas and dreams that I would just consistantly fail at because one day after coming up with them I just couldnt get out of bed to care, that was the BP....not to say I don't still have those days. But most of the time dreams are realistic and I actually accomplish them.

I am certainly not trying to say you are or are not Bipolar. I am just pointing out how hard it was and is to dx it. How long it took for me to get dx with it, and I had great doctors, and lived with a mother who was and still is a nurse who has vast experience in the care of psychiatric patients? I guess because while I am sad I spent a great deal of my life feeling like a failure and am still cleaning up messes from not being diagnosed sooner, getting the diagnoses and responding so well to the medications, has given me my life back, and for the first time in 37 years I don't feel like a failure.

My hope for you is that you are able to find out what is wrong, and get the help that you need. And know that you are not a loser. Didn't you say you had a addiction issue? You overcame that right? That is awesome! Just because your family has an issue with you, that is not your fault. Becoming disabled doesn't make you a loser either. It is what it is and you make the best of it. If they knew how desperate you were to find the right diagnoses so you can feel better , they would understand that you are not milking the system but trying to find peace .....and that is a good thing.

Take care Sue.


When the world says, "Give up,"
Hope whispers, "Try it one more time."
~Author Unknown

Right now I feel like I would DEFINITELY go get tested, if one existed. I am very suspicious about any dx I've been given - so a definite "yes" or "no" would mean a lot to me.

I have been mis-diagnosed bi-polar due to my hyperactivity - I am either all on or all off - if left to my own devices I have about a 36 hour day - I can stay awake for 24 hours - but when I do go to sleep I want to sleep 12 hours it seems to be a natural pattern.

I would get tested because two of my first degree relatives is bi-polar and my dad is suspect. I took some 5-HTP one time the threw my self into mania - man that was a trip - reality skewed but failed to notify me of this - it is really hard to describe but 5 HTP is a precursor to sertonin and I do poorly on antidepressants - I though they just made me "super ***ch" was having a cape made. . .. I always associated mania with pleasant - errr until my daughter took some antidepressants and needed no cape - I took her back to the doctors and told him under no uncertain terms fix her or take her home with you . . . those are your only two choices and I am camping here in your office until your decision is made. . . he took one look at her asked how long has see been this way? Three days AND nights, NON-STOP!!!!


I would take the test because I am curious just how biologically close I am because I have a feeling I am not far off - if 200mg of 5-HTP or a pediatrics dose of an antidepressant can send me into mania - then chemistry wise there is very little difference. I have a long draw out theory . . . which would be an entirely new discussion.





I feel as if everyone views me as a WRETCHED, DISGUSTING human being because of this.

I am sorry - some people are so low they have to put other people down in an attempt to get the world on their own low level - their attitude isn't your fault although they will do all with in their power to make it look like every ones fault but theirs {tis a bully sign IMHO}



I know my family no longer talks to me - right when I really NEED somebody too - ever since I've NOT BEEN WORKING! I may as well be a pedophile as far as they're concerned. This REALLY HURTS ME!)


:( I am sorry - wish I had words that could fix this but I don't . . . . all I can offer is

((((((((((((((((((hug)))))))))))))))))))))

THANKS SO MUCH HOPE & MEADD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You're sharing your experiences and words of encouragement have helped and soothed me LOTS!