Genetic factors play into it, but that's not nearly 100% why people develop either mental illness. Otherwise, most of the Amish community would be schizophrenic and/or bipolar (they have the genes for it, but don't develop it) and my brother wouldn't be schizophrenic.
I didn't say it was 100% of the reason. I have degrees in Molecular Genetics and another in Sociology/Psychology - please don't try to lecture me. Bipolar and schizophrenia are conditions relying on multiple loci (which haven't been mapped yet, for that matter) and are dosage-mediated, meaning there is no single genetic on/off switch. The genetic profiles for those illnesses are also quite diverse. The Amish don't have a higher rate of schizophrenia and bipolar than the general population - however, as the genes responsible for those two illnesses (and their various manifestations of severity) have not been identified, we have no way of knowing if the Amish have the genes for them or not. Typically, bipolar and schizophrenia are partially a result of family dynamic as well (low-conflict versus high-conflcit, in the case of schizophrenia) so genetic predisposition doesn't always manifest either. There are very complex mechanics behind the biological foundations of bipolar and schizophrenia which experts do not understand. You statements about the Amish and your brother are good examples of why a little bit of information can occasionally do more harm than good because you don't understand the bigger picture and you're relying on a very simplistic interpretation in lay terms.
Bipolar I requires at least one manic or mixed episode. Bipolar II requires at least one major depressive episode and one hypomanic episode. Cyclothemia requires hypomanic episodes and depressive episodes (not major depressive episodes).
Actual manic, hypomanic, and major depressive episodes (observance of the occurrence of which are how bipolar is diagnosed) have duration minimums of a few days to a few weeks, but they usually last months at a time.
Rapid cycling gets tacked on to any of the other three types if you get four episodes in a year.
I, too, have read the APA definitions of Bipolar and its variants.
Anti-depressants are almost never used alone in treating bipolar disorder because they are known not only to worsen the mood instability of people who are bipolar, but they are also known to cause manic and hypomanic episodes in people who *don't* have bipolar disorder.
True, but you aren't on just an anti-depressant. There are also limited cases where anti-depressants are used alone in treating certain cases of bipolar due to the mood levels experienced by the patient. As I am not a psychologist and I haven't met you I cannot comment on your case specifically, but I'm slightly more inclined to think the doctor probably has a better grasp of what medication is better than his/her 17-year-old patient who has demonstrated a fairly simplistic understanding even in a short conversation on the Internet.
While medication is necessary a lot of times in treating bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, it's not going to solve the whole problem. Medication is never 100% of the solution.
Never said it was. The most common and most effective companion treatment is the family dynamic, meaning the entire family relying on each other and learning to help each other. Which of course brings us full circle, because you've already stated that you are unwilling to consider the fact that your Mom could be right about you taking your medication and have your best interests at heart.
Final note: I actually look **** up before I say it, alright? Just because I'm 17 doesn't mean I get all my information from bad horror movies, tabloids, urban legends, and reality tv.
Just because you can look things up doesn't mean you adequately understand them. I have 7 years worth of education in this kind of stuff and I still don't grasp the full picture (nor does medical science as a whole actually), so I find it remarkable that you can look up basic information, most of which is probably FAQ-type presentations on advocacy or special interests websites, and think you "get it."
Look, like I said, I have an education that spans this field nicely, and I recognize that there are a lot of over-medicated kids out there whose problems are mainly uninterested family and over-eager doctors with a prescription pad. But that said, the medical and psychiatric fields have come a long way in the diagnosis and treatment of severe mental illnesses and the quality of life for people with mental illness has never been better than it is today. So, have the self-awareness to consider that you may be more than a little biased and perhaps you aren't seeing your situation quite as objectively as the family members and medical professionals whose role is ultimately to see that you have a better quality of life.
To me you seem like little more than a whiny, angsty, attention-needing dependent hormonal teenager - but I'm not a psychiatrist or psychologist, nor do I know you personally. So rather than take your word for it or your behaviour at face value, I'm considering the fact that I'm not hearing the entire story and perhaps you are receiving treatment for bipolar disorder for a legitimate reason.
EDIT: And I apologize for breaking my vow of non-participation, but a response was pretty much required.
