ok.. finally going to confront myself about these moods of mine. i have had it mentioned to me on visits to different counselors, neuros, and just recently my phychologist.. that i may be bipolar. this terrifies me. i have had experience with this condition because my first husband was bipolar. it was difficult for me to understand his ups and downs. very extreme. plus, he did things that were just not normal. talking to trees, flying around the room like a fairy, thinking he discovered a new way to weigh atoms, this type of behaviour is why i have fought them putting this label on me. hhhhmmmm...

i dunnno.. these moods? depression.. deep. out of nowhere. but. not really mania stuff. except yesterday i was sore as hell.. rigid as a rock. but, for some reason i shuffled myself outside, drug boards up to my front lawn, and tried to build a patio. hurting the entire time. but, i HAD to do it for some reason. i was fully aware of what i was doing, i just couldnt justify the why.

i think there is more to this. have any of you guys experienced anything similiar or been told that you may be bipolar? lookin to my old buds here that have always been here for me for advice.. nice to be back.

Harley, I don't know if this will help, but it is a disorder that has been associated with L-dopa.

It will be interesting to see if other are experiencing what you are experiencing. Maybe they will have some advice for you.

Excerpt:
"Other mental disorders, such as bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness) and anxiety disorders, may occur in people with Parkinson's, and they too can be effectively treated. However, some Parkinson's medications may worsen mania in persons with co-occurring bipolar disorder. The prevalence of bipolar disorder among individuals with Parkinson's is unknown, but people in treatment for Parkinson's should be alert for symptoms of bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is characterized by intense mood swings and changes in behavior. For more information on bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses, contact NIMH."

Source:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/depparkinson.cfm

Carolyn

could it just be maybe cuz i am blonde gemini german in menapause? lol.

but, thanks carolyn. read the info and am printing to take to my new doc... the psychiatrist.. on my appt next monday. to be honest, it would nearly be a relief to find out a little bit more about myself. i am one of those type of people that like to know what makes things tick, and looking at the recent catastrophe in my front yard needs justification of some sort.

I am taking steps towards how to deal better with moods. instead of slinging chocolate chip cookies from across the room, (which i must say, i am perfecting the curve) i now am a proud owner of a punching bag and gloves...

Harley..My ex wife was bi-polar, and she did bizzare things out of nowhere..The only bit of advice that I can offer is to look at your past behavior patterns and in the future for uncontrolable manias where you absolutely feel as though you were infallable, and could accomplish great feats..I think that the depression is a given for us parkies at one time or another, but my ex used to get manic like she was taking large doses of speed and laughing gas..For bi-polar disorder one has to have the manias, and this is what I would watch for

Mania, Depression, Bipolar Disorder and Parkinson Disease
Copyrighted Abraham Lieberman MD 4/1/05. Revised 3/22/06

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive disorder, causes marked shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. The highs and lows of bipolar disorder, like the “on” and “offs” of Parkinson people, are different from the ups and downs of every day life. The highs and lows of bipolar disorder, like the “on” and “offs” of PD people can result in strained personal relationships, poor job performance, and even suicide. There are similarities and differences between the highs and lows of bipolar disorder, the mania and depression, and the “on” and “off” periods of PD, the periods of mobility or hyper mobility with dyskinesia.

The highs and lows of bipolar disorder usually cycle over days or weeks, the “on” and “offs” of PD people cycle over hours, or minutes. The highs and lows of bipolar disorder occur in no relationship to a known drug or chemical although there is a partial relationship to daily changes in hormones including adrenal cortisol and growth hormone. The “on” and “offs” of PD occur in relationship to the dose of levodopa.

There are, however, similarities betweens the highs and lows of bipolar disorder and the “on” and “offs” of PD. PD people when they are “on” are often “high”, they are alert, energetic, creative, similar to people with bipolar disorder when they are “high.” PD people when they are “off” are anxious, depressed, panicky, they will do almost anything to be “on.” In this their behavior resembles people with bipolar disorder who are “low” or “down.”

Until we understand why cycling occurs in the brain, we should keep an open mind between the highs and lows of bipolar disorder and the “on” and “offs” of PD. It is of note, however, that drugs such as lithium, or depakote, or lamictal, drugs that stabilize mood in bipolar disorder do not stabilize the “on” and “offs’ of PD.

More than 3 million Americans, or about 1.0% of the population, have bipolar disorder. This is 3 times the prevalence of PD. Bipolar disorder usually develops in late adolescence. However, some people develop it late in life. It is often not recognized as a disorder, and people may suffer for years before being diagnosed. Like PD, bipolar disorder is a long-term illness.
In some people bipolar disorder, like the “on” and “offs” in PD distorts moods, deranges thoughts, incites bad behaviors, and causes panic. Bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood swings—from overly "high" to hopeless, and then back again, often with periods of normal mood in between. Marked changes in energy and behavior go along with the mood changes. Symptoms of mania include: Increased energy, activity, and restlessness, euphoria, irritability, racing thoughts, fast talking, distractibility, inability to concentrate, need for little sleep, unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities, poor judgment, spending sprees (like the compulsive gambling of some PD people), increased sex drive, abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol, and sleeping pills. Symptoms include intrusive, or aggressive behavior and a denial that anything is wrong. A manic episode is diagnosed if a high occurs most of the day, every day, for 1 week or longer. Mild to moderate mania is called hypomania. Hypomania is associated with a feeling of euphoria and well being. Hypomania, however, if not suspected and treated may lead to mania or depression.
Symptoms of depression include: anxiety, sadness, hopelessness, pessimism, guilt, worthlessness, helplessness, lack of interest in activities once enjoyed, decreased energy, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, difficulty in remembering, difficulty in making decisions. The person may sleep too much or be unable to sleep. There may be change in appetite and unintended weight loss or gain. There may be chronic pain or other symptoms that are not caused by a physical illness. There may be thoughts of death. A depressive episode is diagnosed if symptoms last most of the day, every day, for 2 weeks or longer.
Sometimes, episodes of mania or depression include psychosis. Common psychosis symptoms include hallucinations such as hearing, seeing, or otherwise sensing the presence of things not actually there. The symptoms include delusions such as false, but strongly held beliefs not influenced by logical reasoning. The symptoms of psychosis will reflect whether the person in high, or low. For example, if a person is high he will have delusions of grandiosity, such as believing he is the President , or God, or that he has special powers or wealth.
If, however, a person is low he will have delusions of guilt or worthlessness, such as believing that his is ruined or penniless or that he has committed a terrible crime. Similar symptoms of psychosis may appear in some PD people who are evolving a dementia when they are “on” or when they are “off.” Some people with bipolar disorder who have symptoms of a psychosis are incorrectly diagnosed as having schizophrenia.
The moods of a person with bipolar disorder form a spectrum. At one end is severe depression, then moderate depression and then mild depression, called the "the blues." Then there is normal mood, hypomania, mania, and mania with psychosis. In some people, however, symptoms of mania and depression may occur together in a “mixed” bipolar state. Symptoms of a mixed state often include agitation, trouble sleeping, marked changes in appetite including binge eating or starvation, psychosis, and suicidal thinking. A person with a “mixed” state may be sad, feel hopeless, and at the same time feel energized.
A person with bipolar disorder may be brought to a doctor because of alcohol or drug abuse, poor work performance, or strained personal relations and, initially, the underlying bipolar disorder may not be appreciated by the patient, the family, or the doctor.

Like many mental disorders, bipolar disorder cannot yet be identified physically, for example, through a blood test or a brain scan. Therefore, a diagnosis of bipolar disorder is made on the basis of initial symptoms, evolution of symptoms, and family history. The diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder are described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV). Descriptions offered by people with bipolar disorder give insights into the moods associated with it.

Depression: I doubt my ability to do anything well. It seems as though my mind has slowed down and burned out. I am haunted with the desperate hopelessness of it all. Others say, "It's only temporary, it will pass, you,," but they haven't any idea of how I feel, although they are certain they do. If I can't feel, move, think or care, then what on earth is the point?

Hypomania: When I'm high, it's tremendous, ideas comes fast, like shooting stars. . All shyness disappears, the right words and gestures are suddenly there. Uninteresting people become interesting. Sensuality is pervasive, the desire to seduce and be seduced is irresistible. My marrow is infused with unbelievable feelings of power, well-being, omnipotence, euphoria. I can do anything!

Mania: The fast ideas become too fast. They are overwhelming, confusion replaces clarity, I can’t keeping up with it—my memory goes. My friends become frightened, I’m irritable, angry, frightened, trapped.
Suicide. Some people become suicidal. Anyone who thinks about committing suicide needs immediate help. Anyone who talks about suicide should be taken seriously. Symptoms that may accompany suicidal feelings include: talking about wanting to die, feeling hopeless, feeling nothing will change or get better, feeling helpless, feeling a burden, abusing alcohol or drugs, putting personal affairs ins order as a preparation to dying. Symptoms also include writing a suicide, seeking harmful or dangerous situations.
If someone is suicidal, call a doctor, an emergency room, or 911 for help. Be certain the suicidal person is not left alone make. Be certain that he or she has no access to dangerous drugs or weapons. While some suicides are carefully planned, others are impulsive acts that have not been well thought out. With proper treatment, suicidal feelings can be overcome.
Episodes of mania and depression occur throughout a person’s life. Between episodes, most people with bipolar disorder are free of symptoms, but as many as one-third of them have some residual symptoms. The classic form of the disorder involving recurrent episodes of mania and depression, is called Bipolar I Disorder.
Some people, however, never develop severe mania but instead have episodes of hypomania that alternate with depression; this form of the disorder is called Bipolar II disorder. When four or more episodes of mania and/or depression occur within a year, a person is said to have a rapid-cycling. Some people experience multiple episodes within a week, or even a day. Rapid cycling tends to develop later in the course of the disorder and is more common in women than men. In time a person may have more frequent (more rapid-cycling) and more severe manic and depressive episodes than in the past. But in most cases, treatment can reduce the frequency and severity of episodes.

Children and adolescents can develop bipolar disorder especially if one or both parents have the disorder. Unlike adults with bipolar disorder, whose episodes tend to be clearly defined, children often have fast mood swings between depression and mania several times a day. Children with mania are likely to be irritable and prone to tantrums. Bipolar disorder in children can be hard to diagnose. For example, while irritability and aggressiveness can indicate bipolar disorder, they also can be indicate attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, or schizophrenia. Alcohol and drug abuse may, in children, be a symptom of bipolar disorder.
Because bipolar disorder runs in families, researchers have been searching, unsuccessfully thus far, for specific genes. Genes, if found, however cannot explain bipolar disorder. Thus studies of identical twins, who share the same genes, indicate that genes and other factors play a role in bipolar disorder. If bipolar disorder were caused entirely by genes, then the identical twin of someone with the disorder would always develop the disorder. However, this is not the case.
Brain-imaging studies are helping researches learn what goes wrong in bipolar disorder. New imaging techniques allow researchers to take pictures of the living brain, to examine its structure and activity, without the need for invasive procedures. The techniques include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). These studies suggest that the brains of people with bipolar disorder differ from the brains of others. The significance of these differences is not yet known.
Drugs called "mood stabilizers" usually are prescribed to help control bipolar disorder. Several types of mood stabilizers are available. In general, people with bipolar disorder continue treatment with mood stabilizers for years. Other drugs are added when necessary, typically for shorter periods, to treat episodes of mania or depression that break through the mood stabilizer.
Lithium, the first mood-stabilizer is effective in controlling mania and preventing the recurrence of both manic and depression. Anticonvulsant drugs such as valproate (Depakote®) or carbamazepine (Tegretol®), also have mood-stabilizing effects and may be used for difficult-to-treat bipolar episodes.
Newer anticonvulsant drugs including lamotrigine (Lamictal®), gabapentin (Neurontin®), and topiramate (Topamax®), are being studied to determine how well they work in stabilizing moods. Anticonvulsant drugs can be combined with lithium, or with each other, for maximum effect. It has been shown that people with bipolar disorder are at risk of switching into mania or hypomania, or of developing rapid cycling, during treatment with antidepressant drugs. . Therefore, "mood-stabilizing" drugs generally are required, alone or in combination with antidepressants, to protect people with bipolar disorder from cycling. Lithium and valproate are the most commonly used mood-stabilizing drugs today. .
Atypical antipsychotic drugs including clozapine (Clozaril®), olanzapine (Zyprexa®), risperidone (Risperdal®), quetiapine (Seroquel®), and ziprasidone (Geodon®), are being studied as possible treatments for bipolar disorder. Evidence suggests clozapine may be helpful as a mood stabilizer for people who do not respond to lithium or anticonvulsants. Other research has supported the efficacy of olanzapine for acute mania, an indication that has recently received FDA approval. Olanzapine may also help relieve psychotic depression. It is of note that olanzapine, more than most antipsychotic drugs can cause or bring-out parkinson symptoms.
If insomnia is a problem, a high-potency benzodiazepine drugs such as clonazepam (Klonopin®) or lorazepam (Ativan®) may helpf to promote better sleep. However, since these drugs may be habit-forming, they are prescribed on a short-term basis. Other types of sedatives, such as zolpidem (Ambien®), are sometimes used instead.
People with bipolar disorder often have an abnormal thyroid. Because too much or too little thyroid hormone alone can lead to mood and energy changes, it is important that thyroid levels are monitored by a physician. People with rapid cycling tend to have thyroid problems and may need to take thyroid pills in addition to their bipolar disorder drugs. Also, lithium may lower thyroid levels in some people, resulting in the need for thyroid supplementation.
Alcohol and drug abuse are common in people with bipolar disorder. Research suggests that many factors contribute to substance abuse problems, including self-medication of symptoms. Treatment for co-occurring substance abuse, when present, is an important part of the overall treatment plan. Anxiety disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, also may be common in people with bipolar disorder. Co-occurring anxiety disorders may respond to the treatments used for bipolar disorder, or they may require separate treatment.

In addition to the mood cycling, the levels of the adrenal hormone cortisol cycle. This suggests that cycling of adrenal hormones may play a role in the highs and lows of bipolar disorder. It’s less clear they play a role in the “ons” and “offs” of PD people. In addition to the mood cycling, the levels of growth hormone, secreted by the pituitary gland, cycle. This suggests that cycling of growth hormone may play a role in the highs and lows of bipolar disorder. Such cycling of growth hormone, but not adrenal cortical steroids, occurs in some PD people with “ons” and “offs.”


The above indicates that in bipolar disorder, certain hormones cycle and are synchronized with the person’s mood. Whether the cycling hormones precipitate or cause the mood changes or merely accompany the mood changes is not known. The likelihood is the cycling moods and hormonal changes are part of an as yet not understood cycling mechanism in the brain.
Fame, Creativity, Bipolar Disorder
History has a place for the "mad genius" who in a euphoric fervor, conceives revolutionary ideas, incomprehensible except to him, but invaluable to society. Is this link between creativity and mental illness coincidence, or are the two related? If related, does heightened creative behavior alter the brain's chemistry such that one becomes more prone to bipolar disorder? Does bipolar disorder alter the chemistry of the brain so that creative behavior can be expressed? Noting the list of famous, creative, people who developed Parkinson disease, Dr Lieberman commented that there may be a relationship between the two. The relationship between fame, creativity and bipolar disorder is more striking. It’s of note that of the famous people with bipolar disorder only one had PD.

A 1949 study of 113 German artists, writers, and composers was one of the first to examine the relationship of fame, creativity, and bipolar disorder. Although two-thirds of the 113 artists, writers, composers were considered normal, there were more suicides and "neurotic" individuals in the artistic group than could be expected in the general population. Similar studies support the disproportionate occurrence of bipolar disorder, in artistic and creative people. When comparing individuals in the arts with those in other professions ( businessmen, scientists, and public officials), the artistic group showed two to three times the rate of bipolar disorder, suicide attempts, and substance abuse.
The abvoe studies support the existence of a link between bipolar disorder and creativity. The existence of such a link suggests to some, that a third factor, yet unidentified, may account for the link. It’s postulated that an overactivity of the cingulate gyrus, the brain between the cortex, the thinking part of the brain, and the thalamus, the part of the brain that receives information, may be over-active, resulting in unusual links between incoming information, memory, and thinking. This may result in odder or more unusual associations, expressed as creative thought. People with bipolar disorder are more emotional, resulting in greater sensitivity and acuteness. This, coupled with a lack of inhibition due to an altered prefrontal cortex may result in more unconventional forms of expressions. People with bipolar disorder are more open to experimentation and risk-taking.