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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 ajjech on Tue, 2004-06-08 - 18:55
was diagnosed 25+ years ago to have a problem in the temporal lobe and have at least two types of seizures. The diagnosis came after several...I still call them grand mal seizures, MRIs, cat scans, and EEGs.It is critically important your nephew sees a neurologist, have the necessary tests and gets the proper diagnosis. I do not know his age but he must be young and still living at home or you would not be concerned about his mother's stubbornness. My parents tried to hide from me and the world the fact I have epilepsy and I did not learn they were even aware of it until approx. 15 years ago when my wife and I were visiting my aunt and I had a grand seizure. She, my aunt, commented to my mother, in front of my wife, "You mean he is still having that problem". I am trying to say that a diagnosis is important, an opinion based on descriptions of his behavior could be forever detrimental to him. I was approx. 35 years old before being diagnosedÂ…. Do not let your nephew grow up to learn his mother has been hiding a physical problem. His life can be different with proper diagnosis and treatmentÂ…I wish mine had been earlier; and wish that proper diagnosis would reveal your nephew is not epileptic.

RE: Simple Partial Seizures v. BiPolar Disorder

Submitted by USMALE on Wed, 2004-06-09 - 09:18
ajjech,First, thanks for responding believe me, I know where you're coming from. Second, I wrote my post in such a hurry, I left out the fact that I too was a "victim" of mis-diagnosis. A couple of them in fact. First, there was a bedwetting problem. According to the Doctors, this was due to nothing more than laziness. Then came the urologist who wanted to operate. I thank God that I "chickened out" in the hospital. He was wrong too. Then came the alleged "Behavior Problems" (this is where I see a parallel) and the tranquilizers at the ripe old age of 14. My first Grand Mal soon followed. It took that incident to get my parents to look deeper and get me to a neurologist not that there was much of a choice, he was on call in the ER that day. He connected the dots, so to speak, and let them know that I wasn't lazy, I wasn't a trouble maker with a behavior problem and the tranqs. were definately OUT. To my knowledge, my nephew has not had any problem with bedwetting. However, if he has or had, my sister wouldn't have shared that info. She wouldn't want to "embarass" him. It's interesting to note though that her other son is being treated for ADHD. But, his behavior is right along the same lines. He too reminds me of myself when I was younger. Why my family can't see the similarities is beyond me, even after I have pointed them out. If I were the only one in the family with epilepsy, I would probably not let it bug me so much, BUT, I know of 5 other family members (4 in my own generation 1 aunt and 1 nephew. I, unfortunately have no children.) There may even have been others farther back up the line. I'm still trying to find out. I just don't want to see this young man suffer because, like my parents did, his mother trusts a doctor who is more interested in treating a symptom than he is the cause.

RE: Simple Partial Seizures v. BiPolar Disorder

Submitted by boddhisattva on Thu, 2004-11-25 - 23:32

I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder and even once schizophrenia.  I have never felt comfortably with these labels, as their descriptions do not fit my case perfectly and leave a lot of unanswered questions.

I first experienced affective symptoms immediately after a head injury in kung fu.  I had horrible comprehension of language, felt confused and depressed for months.  A few months later was a great improvement to the point of hypomania along with vivid, cartoon like hallucinations when I 'spaced out' for a few seconds.  I would see lights and hear a loud POP. 

However, all of my visions and delusions came in the form of 'memories', 'insights' and 'deja vu' feelings that were very intense and took me out of my brain for maybe 10 second intervals.  Then when I was back in my head again, I would think "what is wrong with me?  Why am I thinking such bizarre stories?"

I's been 5 years since I've been diagnosed as bipolar.  I'm on an antidepressent and take an antipsychotic only when these "wierd spells" happen.  They happen regularly, perhaps a few times a month. Other than that, I have a fairly successful career, good social life, and completing a graduate degree. 

And I am in shock that temporal lobe seizures sound incredibly similar to what I experience and no psychiatrist, in my five years in the mental health system, has ever suggested an MRI or EEG.  I've just made an appointment with a neurologist (2  months away).  Putting all the pieces together on my own is difficult, and once a person is diagnosed as 'psychotic', no doctor really believes what you say anyways.

 

 

I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder and even once schizophrenia.  I have never felt comfortably with these labels, as their descriptions do not fit my case perfectly and leave a lot of unanswered questions.

I first experienced affective symptoms immediately after a head injury in kung fu.  I had horrible comprehension of language, felt confused and depressed for months.  A few months later was a great improvement to the point of hypomania along with vivid, cartoon like hallucinations when I 'spaced out' for a few seconds.  I would see lights and hear a loud POP. 

However, all of my visions and delusions came in the form of 'memories', 'insights' and 'deja vu' feelings that were very intense and took me out of my brain for maybe 10 second intervals.  Then when I was back in my head again, I would think "what is wrong with me?  Why am I thinking such bizarre stories?"

I's been 5 years since I've been diagnosed as bipolar.  I'm on an antidepressent and take an antipsychotic only when these "wierd spells" happen.  They happen regularly, perhaps a few times a month. Other than that, I have a fairly successful career, good social life, and completing a graduate degree. 

And I am in shock that temporal lobe seizures sound incredibly similar to what I experience and no psychiatrist, in my five years in the mental health system, has ever suggested an MRI or EEG.  I've just made an appointment with a neurologist (2  months away).  Putting all the pieces together on my own is difficult, and once a person is diagnosed as 'psychotic', no doctor really believes what you say anyways.

 

 

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