| Doctors failing to identify bipolar disorder | | Posted Thursday, August 10, 2006 9:01:29 AM by Blog57 Team | | Doctors are failing to recognise manic depression, otherwise known as bipolar disorder, despite it being the most common mental illness, the government's drug watchdog warned yesterday. Patients are waiting an average of eight years to be accurately diagnosed. If untreated, they suffer 20 years of ill health, 14 years when they cannot work, and nine years off their life expectancy. The legacy of the disorder was outlined by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) as it published its first guidelines on how to identify, treat and manage the condition in adults and children. Half a million people in England and Wales - 1% of the population - have the condition, and they are 28 times more likely to commit suicide than the rest of the public. A total of 2,000 people - 0.4% of those diagnosed - kill themselves every year.... | |
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| | | Mom, don't let stress overwhelm you | | Posted Wednesday, July 12, 2006 6:58:32 AM by Blog57 Team | | Dear Annie: I am currently pursuing a degree in teaching. I decided to do this slowly (it's been five years), because I wanted to stay home with my son. Also, I have never been truly sure that teaching is what I want to do. More importantly, I have bipolar disorder, and this may interfere with the job and the final stage in obtaining my degree. I have been very stable emotionally for many years now. I take my medication and see my psychiatrist as scheduled. I do, however, still experience some mood swings, which my husband simply attributes to my monthly cycle. I also have established a fairly successful part-time pet-and-home-sitting business. Annie, I love it. I enjoy being around the dogs, cats, birds, etc., and meeting new people. Here's my dilemma: I have this huge student loan to pay off, and I am slated to student teach this coming fall.... | |
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