Bipolar Has 1000 Faces

Making Diagnosis Simple.

Between 2009 and 2011, as I was opening a new practice, I evaluated 1000 new patients, as counted by my secretary. I changed approximately 250 of these patients from antidepressants to drugs for mania (lower dose than usual mania.) Some of them had been on antidepressants for many years with no relief. Their diagnosis, mixed mania, presents as depression but a careful history reveals that their mind has been racing and that they cannot fall asleep for about four hours each night.

Getting the right diagnosis comes before effective treatment. This book is devoted to getting the right diagnosis of several common psychiatric illnesses.

I am a firm believer in the value of benzodiazepines such as Valium, Klonopin, etc. in spite of the fact that a few addicted people will use these drugs inappropriately. A much larger percentage of patients need these drugs and will use them appropriately. Anyone treating primarily substance abuse will have a very negative viewpoint of benzodiazepines, and they have had a powerful influence on the thinking of the whole medical profession.

Marijuana is composed of at least 27 different chemicals. Two of these, cannabidiol or “cannabidiol extract” may actually have a positive effect on the immune system while they are relieving severe arthritic pain. This speculation is discussed in this book. I have a great fear of narcotics even though they can be very merciful when someone is in severe acute pain. I have almost no fear of marijuana, especially cannabidiol. One chapter is devoted to my reasons for thinking