"A Substance-Induced Mood Disorder is distinguished
from Major Depressive, Manic, or Mixed Episodes that occur in Bipolar I Disorder
by the fact that a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication, or exposure
to a toxin) is judged to be etiologically related to the mood disturbance.
Symptoms like those seen in a Manic, Mixed, or Hypomanic Episode may be part of
an intoxication with or withdrawal from a drug of abuse and should be diagnosed
as a Substance-Induced Mood Disorder (e.g., euphoric mood that occurs only in
the context of intoxication with cocaine would be diagnosed as Cocaine-Induced
Mood Disorder, With Manic Features, With Onset During Intoxication). Symptoms
like those seen in a Manic or Mixed Episode may also be precipitated by
antidepressant treatment such as medication, electroconvulsive therapy, or light
therapy. such episodes may be diagnosed as a Substance-Induced Mood Disorder
(e.g., Amitriptyline-Induced Mood Disorder, With Manic Features;
Electroconvulsive Therapy - Induced Mood Disorder, With Manic Features) and
would not count toward a diagnosis of Bipolar I Disorder. however, when the
substance use or medication is judged not to fully account for the episode
(e.g., the episode continues for a considerable period autonomously after the
substance is discontinued), the episode would count toward a diagnosis of
Bipolar I Disorder." Taken from Mental
Health Today.
My Story....
After being on anti-depressive
medications and becoming manic. I was diagnosed with Bipolar type II in May of
1998. Later that was changed in August 1999 to Bipolar type I after changing
psychiatrists and finding out that I can never take anti-depressants. I
continued on mood stabilizers alone but soon realized that I was talking fast
and getting hypomanic even from that.
After finding a new psychiatrist
that did not want to take the other psychiatrist's word that I was Bipolar. I
was taken off the mood stabilizer and now realize that I am a person with a
Substance Induced mood disorder. I have had mild depression off and on since my
teens. But the only other symptoms I had were problems with anger and rage.
There are several medications that cause me to be irritable, agitated, more
violent, manic, rapid speech and thoughts...those being anti-depressants, mood
stabilizers, caffeine, and decongestions.
So I decided to start this web page
for others that might have the same symptoms from medications....Teena
Other Links to Substance Induced Mood
Disorders...
DSM-IV
Definition
