Bio
I serve as the medical director of the International Bipolar Foundation. Treatment resistant mood disorders are my specialty and I have treated several thousand people with mood disorders. I also teach on the faculty of the UCSD school of medicine, and lecture extensively in the community.
Specialties:
- Psychiatry
Affiliation:
- International Bipolar Foundation
Group Memberships:
Credentials
Activity
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What are natural treatments for bipolar depression?
Two "natural" approaches have been demonstrated in studies as useful for bipolar depression. The first is high-dose omega-3 fatty acids in the form of fish oil. The original studies looked at doses in the 3 to 6 grams a day range (3,000 to 6,000 mg a day). Typically, one takes the fish oil
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Can bipolar disorder be cured?
There is no cure for Bipolar Disorder, but symptoms can generally be managed well.
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Can rTMS help treat bipolar depression?
In transcranial magnetic stimulation (TCMS) or repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a series of magnetic pulses are applied to precise brain areas. The treatment has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for depression, though not specifically for bipolar depression
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What is a euthymic state in bipolar disorder?
The mood state that we want a bipolar person to spend as much time as possible in is the euthymic state, which translates from Latin into "true mood" or normal mood. A stable and consistent normal mood is desirable and when we track mood states during the course of treatment it is importan
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What are the side effects of lithium?
The more common problems with lithium are the immediate and annoying side effects which many patients complain of. In those who are prone to acne, it can significantly worsen the acne. While all of us have a tremor of the hands to some degree, lithium can increase this tremor (usually to a mild degr
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What is the link between bipolar disorder and substance abuse?
Almost half of people with Bipolar Disorder also have a substance abuse disorder. Substance abuse worsens the risk of relapse of the Bipolar disorder so treatment of both aspects is required.
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What are the different types of bipolar disorder?
There are currently four types of bipolar disorder defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) IV. There is strong genetic evidence that these are artificial distinctions and that, in fact, this is a spectrum illness. Bipolar Type I is characterized by one or more...
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How does bipolar disorder affect my quality of life?
Well treated, it should not prevent you from having an enjoyable and successful life. However, it can take time to get the depression fully controlled and to gain control over any manias which can negatively impact your relationships and work.
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Do I have to change my habits because of my bipolar disorder?
Habits and lifestyle are extremely important. Recommendations include obtaining regular sleep and exercise, abstaining from all drugs of abuse, moderating any alcohol consumption, and learning to manage stress well.
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Why should bipolar disorder medications be introduced one at a time?
Unless safety dictates otherwise, bipolar disorder medications should be introduced one at a time, adjusted carefully to optimize their effect, and given enough time to work prior to adding other medications. The reason for this is simple. If the physician is introducing multiple drugs quickly, he..
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How can I track drug interactions of bipolar disorder medications?
What I advise consumers and family members to do is to use a "drug interaction" computer program any time a new bipolar disorder medication is added, whether it is another psychiatric medication, an over the counter medication, or an antibiotic. There are many such programs online. If comp
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What are the treatment options for bipolar disorder during pregnancy?
Treatment should be multifaceted and include stress management, sleep hygiene, therapy to monitor mood states and utilize skills to manage mood swings, and careful medication decisions that weigh the risk to the fetus from medication against the risk to the fetus from a relapse in bipolar disorder.
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Can bipolar disorder be treated without antidepressants?
Most physicians treating bipolar disorder agree that antidepressants tend to worsen the course of the illness over time and also have a strong tendency to induce manias or mixed states. Of course, there are exceptions to this general rule. To the extent that they induce severe mixed states, they...
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Why should I take my bipolar disorder medications regularly?
It is very important not to repeatedly go on and off your bipolar disorder medications, as sometimes the drugs don't work the second time around after being discontinued. This is particularly important in a difficult-to-treat form of the illness and if multiple medications were tried before you beca
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What is a mixed state with bipolar disorder?
A definition of a mixed state in bipolar disorder is a hybrid condition with simultaneous features of mania and depression. For example, one may experience the irritable low mood of a depression, but greatly amplified by racing thoughts and high energy of a mania. Other combinations of manic and...
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