Is There a Quick Fix for My Depression or Bipolar Disorder?

Have you ever wondered about the ads we see on TV regarding depression and bipolar disorder and speculated if treating these medical conditions is as simple as taking these medications? Every lay person knows many of the drugs by name since they fill our TV viewing with 30 second commercials with descriptions of possible symptoms and how you should talk to your doctor to see if this drug would be right for you. This is a double edge sword where on one hand it informs people that there is help out there, but it may also give the wrong impression that treatment is a simple as taking a pill.

The truth is proper diagnosis and treatment can take a long time, especially in the case of bipolar disorder. In a study in 1994 and again in 2003 by Lish and Hirshfeld respectively, they found that it takes about a decade from the time patients seek help to be correctly diagnosed. (shorter for type I illness; longer for type II). One of the biggest reasons for this is that bipolar disorder when it first appears often presents itself as unipolar depressions and these people will suffer three major depressive episodes before their first manic episode. (Goodwin and Jamison 1990). About one half of acutely manic patients do not realize they are experiencing a manic episode. Hence when a patient presents with depression and the clinician seeks to identify past mania or hypomania, the patient will deny such symptoms half of the time.

The important point here is that although depression and bipolar disorder are some of the more effectively treated medical conditions out there, it may take time and a skilled medical clinician to properly diagnose and treat the patient. This is often not your primary care physician. A psychiatrist who has proper training, insight and experience regarding manic episodes can hasten proper diagnosis and treatment to this population.

So like with so many things on TV these days, use these commercials as a tool to understand that there is help available. Seek professional assistance and discuss not only what is seen on TV but also other effective treatment plans that are available.