Ptsd With Bipolar

[judic]

Iam new here, but right now a little scared and confused. My husband is a vietam vet and was diagnosed with ptsd about six years ago, by about five doctors. Last two years he is experiencing deep depression and thoughts of suicide. He is on klonopin and celexa for the last six years. He is now hospitalized for the 2nd. time. Now a new doctor at another hospital says is also has bipolar disorder. I have researched it and my husband does have a lot of bipolar symptoms. Question is, will this diagnosis affect is Va claim, or is it in conjuction with the ptsd? did the klonopin and celexa bring on the bipolar?

 

[Lionheart]

Hello Judic, welcome to the forum,

My daughter has PTSD and is bi-polar, and if I understand correctly, these are two separate conditions. I think what needs to happen is that a medication for the manic part of bi-polar depression should be added to his medication regimen or a switch in the type of depression meds he is taking, but I am not a doctor, so I would ask the physician that is over-seeing his care.

I don't think a Diagnosis of bi-polar will hurt his Va claim in the least and will only add a new diagnosis to that of his PTSD. I doubt that the klonopin or Celexa brought on his bi-polar. I am including a link to a site with information on bi-polar medications...I hope this helps you! http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/medications-bipolar-disorder

LH

 

[Froggie]

Welcome to the forum judic. I believe that Lionheart777 has given the best advice. Some members here on the forum have to deal with 2 or 3 diagnosis along with their PTSD. One does not overrule the other. The one that will be able to determine if your husband does have a bipolar problem is the physician or at least he/she should prescribe a psychiatric evaluation. This happened to me and I was very pleased as the psychiatrist changed my medication which really helped a great deal. Best of luck to you and your husband.

 

[judic]

Thanks everyone for your imput!

My husband has been seen by several psychiatrists for his ptsd. and now is being seen in the hospital for this bipolar, just kind of worried that all this klonapin has had some reverse reactions.

I have done some reserch on it and long term use can cause a problem. Yes i've been waiting on the doctor to call to discuss his treatment.

Thanks again everone!

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[jimmy-joe]

I've had ptsd since i was a young'n, but when I was in treatment they always had me on an anti-depressent and a mood stabilizer, and let me tell you, I was like a steel trap. didn't help with any of the compulsions but I didn't have mood swings :D I'm not sure if I have bipolar though, but yea, mood stabilizers can be useful (I don't recognize the medicines u have, so if they are mood stabilizers :p ignore this

edit: I was diagnosed with bipolar through a lot of treatment hence the mood stabilizers I think, I don't know for sure though, I hated it there :D