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Simple Partial Seizures v. BiPolar Disorder

Wed, 01/05/2005 - 09:13
This may sound strange, but I really need the input. My Nephew was recently diagnosed with BiPolar Disorder. The "Diagnosis" from what I understand was made simply from descriptions of his behavior. No types of tests. I'm concerned since there is a family history of Epilepsy and since his behavior could also be fit into the classification of Simple Partial Seizures -"Psychic seizures". Has anyone heard of or experienced one of these conditions being mis-diagnosed as the other? My sister will only investigate the possibility if I can show her that it has happened to someone else. I don't want to see my nephew suffer for hi mother's stubbornness. Or, am I totally off base? If I'm wrong I'll be glad to know that too.

Comments

Re: Simple Partial Seizures v. BiPolar Disorder

Submitted by sier on Sun, 2013-09-22 - 11:25
I think bipolar screening test will serve better in dignosis as it is based on human review.

Re: Simple Partial Seizures v. BiPolar Disorder

Submitted by just_joe on Sun, 2013-09-22 - 12:11

I see that this post has been here for some time ut for an answer you will need a few tests and those are for the diagnosses. There are tests for both dosorders. I am not sure what tests is used for Bi Polar but I am sure of several tests used for epilepsy. You seem to think that simple pertial seizures are all the same. Believe me thay aren't jst as absence seizures are not the same in all people with eiplepsy. The dejaVu you reead about is different in all people some hear things others have a strange feeling others see lights and then there are colors. All are listed as DejaVu which is a seizure in itself. One of the main tests for epilepsy is the EEG and they check the electrical output in the brain. If it comes up normal it means that during that test everythng was normal. But I had about 15-20 EEGs that were all normal and I was tired and fell asleep i the last one and they found the abnormality (seizure activity). If they have an EEG done it should be at least a few hours if not 24 hrs. As for it being genetically passed from family member to family member very few people get epilepsy that way.

Hope this helps people that have questions

I see that this post has been here for some time ut for an answer you will need a few tests and those are for the diagnosses. There are tests for both dosorders. I am not sure what tests is used for Bi Polar but I am sure of several tests used for epilepsy. You seem to think that simple pertial seizures are all the same. Believe me thay aren't jst as absence seizures are not the same in all people with eiplepsy. The dejaVu you reead about is different in all people some hear things others have a strange feeling others see lights and then there are colors. All are listed as DejaVu which is a seizure in itself. One of the main tests for epilepsy is the EEG and they check the electrical output in the brain. If it comes up normal it means that during that test everythng was normal. But I had about 15-20 EEGs that were all normal and I was tired and fell asleep i the last one and they found the abnormality (seizure activity). If they have an EEG done it should be at least a few hours if not 24 hrs. As for it being genetically passed from family member to family member very few people get epilepsy that way.

Hope this helps people that have questions

Re: Simple Partial Seizures v. BiPolar Disorder

Submitted by teresa2step on Sun, 2013-09-22 - 23:45

 I have simple partial and simple complex seizures. I am on medication which controls both. I have a friend whose son has been diagnosed with Bi-Polar disorder. I went with him to a support meeting. Some had the disorder and some were there as support people. I listened to stories of what that was like. One person described it as a wave of ups and downs. The ups get out of a 'normal' range into more of a nervous type of 'keep this going' kind of thing. The down side is very down. One gal there looked so obviously sad. Another didn't talk. She has something so 'down' that she cries at about anything. She remains silent. One man said when he was down once he would put pins in his legs. Somehow that relieved the depression?

  My kind of seizures are just that they begin with a strange aura. It's a kind of 'I've been there before' feeling, which is a warning I'm going into a seizure. I have an instinct that I just let it go though, it will pass, uncomplicated. It doesn't last very long. It is strange. Then I let it go. I have been fortunate that they aren't too bad or last too long. My meds control them much of the time. For those with Bi-Polor it sounds very different. The younger people learn, like the older ones with experience, those meds are needed. Our brains have a disorder. I do hope for ways to make things better. I believe good nutrition is/will help. Good luck and nice for anyone to care for others in any way.

Teresa

 I have simple partial and simple complex seizures. I am on medication which controls both. I have a friend whose son has been diagnosed with Bi-Polar disorder. I went with him to a support meeting. Some had the disorder and some were there as support people. I listened to stories of what that was like. One person described it as a wave of ups and downs. The ups get out of a 'normal' range into more of a nervous type of 'keep this going' kind of thing. The down side is very down. One gal there looked so obviously sad. Another didn't talk. She has something so 'down' that she cries at about anything. She remains silent. One man said when he was down once he would put pins in his legs. Somehow that relieved the depression?

  My kind of seizures are just that they begin with a strange aura. It's a kind of 'I've been there before' feeling, which is a warning I'm going into a seizure. I have an instinct that I just let it go though, it will pass, uncomplicated. It doesn't last very long. It is strange. Then I let it go. I have been fortunate that they aren't too bad or last too long. My meds control them much of the time. For those with Bi-Polor it sounds very different. The younger people learn, like the older ones with experience, those meds are needed. Our brains have a disorder. I do hope for ways to make things better. I believe good nutrition is/will help. Good luck and nice for anyone to care for others in any way.

Teresa

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