"Doctor, the medicine you prescribed is very helpful. Look! Not only do I have no symptoms of depression, but I am living a full life every day, and my mind is full of new ideas! I feel like I am cured and I don't need to take any more medicine!
" Dr. Lin Tianqi, School of Mental Health, Castle Peak Hospital
Miss Wang was referred to a psychiatric clinic six months ago because of her low mood and suicidal thoughts. The doctor diagnosed her with depression and started taking antidepressants.
After drug treatment, Ms. Wang's mood gradually improved, and the suicidal thoughts that often lingered in her mind before disappeared.
When she came to the consultation room this time, the doctor found that she was well-dressed and in high spirits, and the makeup on her face was much more "heavy" than before.
After careful inquiry, it turned out that two weeks ago, Ms. Wang began to feel in a good mood, and she was more comfortable at work. She only needed two or three hours of sleep every night to be full of energy.
As a clerk, she began to feel that she had a lot of ideas. She stayed up all night for several days, and even opened an online store to do shopping.
Not only does she feel good about herself, but even the friends around her find that she is more talkative than before, and she speaks very fast, and even warmly welcomes colleagues who are just nodding acquaintances for no reason.
Readers, do you think the doctor will be happy or worried for Miss Wang after hearing about her transformation?
It turns out that the patient has depressive symptoms, not only may be suffering from depression, but may also be experiencing the "depressive period" of bipolar disorder.
Bipolar disorder, as the name suggests, refers to the patient's emotional fluctuations, which is like a thermometer. It can not only show a "negative" depression stage, but also jump to a "passionate" high temperature, showing signs of emotional excitement.
The general public may think that the "manic" of bipolar disorder is just "manic" and irritable; but it turns out that the energy is excessive, the sleep is reduced, many new ideas and even actions flash in the mind, become more social and even meet the opposite sex, etc. These are common symptoms of mania.
Readers may ask, wouldn't it be better for people to be more spiritual, to be the "sleep-less elite"?
However, it turns out that people with bipolar disorder have the opportunity to make reckless decisions during the "manic period", such as hurriedly borrowing huge debts to open a company, making large investments, and having intimate relationships with others without thinking. It brings serious consequences to the patient, and even induces the next wave of "depression period".
Because it is more difficult for doctors to tell whether a patient is suffering from depression or bipolar disorder before they develop manic symptoms, it is very important that patients have regular follow-up visits during treatment.
The treatment of bipolar disorder and depression are very different. The former requires mood stabilizers. If you continue to take ordinary antidepressants, it may lead to emotional rebound.
Fortunately, Ms. Wang did not stop her follow-up this time because her mood was no longer low, so that the doctor found her showing signs of hypomania in time.
After the doctor carefully adjusted the medicine and explained patiently, Ms. Wang finally understood her condition and the importance of taking medicine on time and establishing a stable daily routine.
Although Ms. Wang's mood fluctuated occasionally, she knew how to pay attention to signs early, and accordingly, she would follow up with the doctor earlier to adjust the medicine, and work with the doctor to stabilize her condition.
"Hong Kong 01" "01 Medical Clinic" cooperates with the School of Mental Health of Castle Peak Hospital to publish a column written by medical staff every other Tuesday.
"Cheng" means to let the water stand still, let the water settle down, and then become clear.
I hope you can meditate and savor every little story, see what is in the slightest, understand the heart of yourself and others, and see things and situations more clearly.
See clearly and know how to cherish it. I hope this column can calm your emotional waves and enjoy the quiet time.
I hope you will share this experience with the people you care about, so that you can have one more partner on the road to a better life.
Story details have been revised to protect patient privacy.
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