What does it mean by becoming hypomanic?
Manic
depressive disorder, or bipolar disorder, can only be diagnosed if
someone has a history of at least one manic (bipolar I) or hypomanic
(bipolar II) episode. Sometimes, a person's first episode of a mood
disorder is that of depression; therefore, a possibility exists of a
depressed individual really having bipolar disorder. The likelihood of
this occurring increases if there is a family history of bipolar
disorder. If a person with depression actually has bipolar disorder, an
anti-depressant may trigger the onset of a hypomanic or manic mood state.
This is why bipolar depressed persons usually require a mood stabilizer
when taking an antidepressant.
Becoming hypomanic or even manic on an antidepressant, however, is not
diagnostic of bipolar disorder. These reactions can occur in non-bipolar
depressed persons. If you have a manic response, your doctor will want to
stop the antidepressant. Further inquiry into past personal and family
history will be done to be sure that evidence of past hypomanic or manic
episodes was not missed.
Once the
antidepressant is stopped, your hypomanic or manic symptoms should
resolve. If they do not, then bipolar disorder is likely present. If
resolved, another antidepressant can be tried, as the manic response will
not necessarily occur with another medication. If it does occur again,
then a mood stabilizer may be necessary in conjunction with an
antidepressant.
