Diagnosis Of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is estimated to affect millions of American adults each year. Yet for many people with the disease, accurate diagnosis, and therefore, appropriate treatment, can be delayed for years.

Bipolar disorder is a condition that can cause extreme swings in mood—from manic highs to depressive lows. To be diagnosed with bipolar disorder you need to have experienced a "high period" called mania. Bipolar mania is an "extreme high" mood. During a manic high, people feel unsusually great. It's common to be overly talkative, have lots of energy, and need little sleep. Some people experience a less severe form of mania called hypomania. However, most people with bipolar disorder when ill or when symptomatic experience more lows than highs. These lows are known as "bipolar depression". Your health care professional is trained to make a correct diagnosis based on your symptoms and a careful review of your medical history.

SEROQUEL XR has been proven effective to treat bipolar depression. Learn more about SEROQUEL XR and bipolar disorder. If you have concerns about yourself or a loved one, talk to your health care professional. Here are some questions to ask your doctor to help you prepare.

Misdiagnosis Is Common

Many patients with bipolar disorder initially seek treatment for depressive symptoms. Unfortunately, the diagnosis of bipolar disorder is oftentimes missed. One of the ways you can be sure to get an accurate diagnosis is to talk to your health care professional about all the symptoms you are experiencing, including any manic or hypomanic (a less severe form of mania) episodes.

The symptoms of major depressive disorder are similar to the symptoms of bipolar depression. In a national survey, more than two-thirds of people with bipolar disorder were originally misdiagnosed with other disorders. And over one-third of people with bipolar disorder who were originally misdiagnosed waited 10 years or more before receiving an accurate diagnosis.

If you have unresolved depressive symptoms caused by bipolar disorder—or if you think it's possible you've been misdiagnosed with major depressive disorder—be sure to talk to your health care professional about all the symptoms you are experiencing, including any manic or hypomanic episodes. Here are some tips you can use to work with your health care professional to help him or her make your diagnosis.

Keep accurate records and notes so that you can have a productive conversation with your health care professional
- Consider a Mood Tracking Diary to help you keep track of your symptoms
Tell your health care professional if you have a history of mania or hypomania
Tell your health care professional if you have a family history of bipolar disorder
Use these questions at your next appointment

The information on this Web site should not take the place of talking with your doctor or health care professional. If you have any questions about your condition, or if you would like more information about SEROQUEL XR, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Only you and your health care professional can decide if SEROQUEL XR is right for you.

Important Safety Information and Indications for SEROQUEL XR

Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis (having lost touch with reality due to confusion and memory loss) treated with this type of medicine are at an increased risk of death, compared to placebo (sugar pill). SEROQUEL XR is not approved for treating these patients.

Antidepressants have increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults. Patients of all ages starting treatment should be watched closely for worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or actions, unusual changes in behavior, agitation, and irritability. Families and caregivers should watch patients daily and report these symptoms immediately to the physician. SEROQUEL XR is not approved for patients under the age of 18 years.

High blood sugar and diabetes have been reported with SEROQUEL XR and medicines like it. If you have diabetes or risk factors such as obesity or a family history of diabetes, ask your doctor about checking your blood sugar before starting SEROQUEL XR and regularly throughout treatment. If you develop symptoms of high blood sugar or diabetes, such as excessive thirst or hunger, increased urination, or weakness, contact your doctor. Complications from diabetes can be serious and even life threatening.
Increases in cholesterol and triglycerides, and weight gain have been reported with SEROQUEL XR
A rare, but potentially fatal, side effect reported with SEROQUEL XR and medicines like it is neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Tell your doctor if you have very high fever; rigid muscles; shaking; confusion; sweating; changes in pulse, heart rate, or blood pressure; or muscle pain and weakness because treatment should be stopped if you have NMS
Another serious side effect reported with SEROQUEL XR and medicines like it is tardive dyskinesia(TD)—uncontrollable movements of the face, tongue, or other parts of the body. TD may become permanent, and the risk of TD is believed to increase as the length of time on and the amount of these medications increase. While TD can develop in patients taking low doses for short periods, this is much less common. There is no known treatment for TD, but it may go away partially or completely if treatment is stopped
Before starting treatment, tell your doctor if you have high prolactin levels or have a history of, or are at risk for, seizures or a low white blood cell (WBC) count. An eye exam for cataracts is recommended at the beginning of treatment and every 6 months thereafter
During treatment, tell your doctor if you feel dizzy or lightheaded upon standing, or if you have trouble swallowing
Suicidal thoughts or actions may occur; tell your doctor if you have thoughts about death or suicide
Since drowsiness has been reported with SEROQUEL XR, you should not participate in activities such as driving or operating machinery until you know that you can do so safely. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking SEROQUEL XR because SEROQUEL XR increases the effects of alcohol. Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated while taking SEROQUEL XR
Common side effects: The most common side effects are drowsiness, dry mouth, increases in cholesterol and triglycerides, constipation, upset stomach, dizziness, a sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing, weight gain, increased hunger, tiredness, increases in blood sugar, difficulty speaking, and stuffy nose

This is not a complete summary of safety information. Please discuss the full Prescribing Information with your health care provider.

Indications

SEROQUEL XR is a once-daily tablet approved to treat acute depressive episodes in bipolar disorder; acute manic or mixed episodes in bipolar disorder alone or when added to lithium or divalproex; and long-term maintenance of bipolar disorder when added to lithium or divalproex.

Click here to see Prescribing Information for SEROQUEL XR, including Boxed Warnings.

Please see the last page of the Prescribing Information for the Medication Guide.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit http://www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

SEROQUEL XR is a registered trademark and Thinking Forward is a trademark of the AstraZeneca group of companies.