Getting a Correct Diagnosis

Bipolar disorder can disrupt your life on many levels-personally, professionally, financially, even physically. It can make it more difficult to maintain relationships that are important to you, and it can sometimes get in the way of meeting your goals. Bipolar disorder can lead to:

Poor performance at work
Financial problems or debt (i.e., spending sprees during manic episodes)
Family conflict
Strained friendships

Importance of getting a correct diagnosis
Research shows that many people who have bipolar disorder are initially misdiagnosed with the wrong condition-usually major depressive disorder (often referred to as "depression"). And when they are given medicines for the wrong condition, their symptoms may not improve, and in some cases may even get worse. This is why getting a correct diagnosis is so important. If you have bipolar disorder, you should get treatment intended for bipolar disorder.

Here are some ways to help your doctor with the diagnostic process:

Tell your doctor all signs and symptoms that are bothering you, even if you think they are minor or unimportant
Think back and try to recall problems or symptoms that bothered you in the past. If you think you may have experienced manic symptoms (e.g., extreme irritability, racing thoughts), mention these to your doctor even if you are not experiencing those symptoms now.

Getting bipolar symptoms under control can make a significant improvement in your daily life. That's why you should never give up looking for the treatment that is best for you. If you suspect that you have been diagnosed with the wrong condition, or if medicines you are taking do not seem to be helping, reach out to your doctor.

NEXT: Managing Bipolar Disorder

Living with bipolar disorder

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Important Safety Information

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). GEODON is not approved for treating these patients.

You should not take GEODON if you have certain kinds of heart conditions or take certain medicines. GEODON may increase the risk of changes to your heart rhythm. It is important to talk to your doctor about this possible side effect. And be sure to call your doctor right away if you faint, pass out, or feel a change in your heartbeat.

Serious side effects can occur with any antipsychotic medicine, including GEODON. Tell your doctor right away if you experience a high fever, stiff muscles, shaking, confusion, sweating, or increased heart rate or blood pressure. These can be signs of a rare condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).

Also tell your doctor if you experience abnormal or uncontrollable facial or body movements. These could be a sign of tardive dyskinesia (TD), which may become permanent.

Medicines like GEODON may raise blood sugar levels. There have been few reports of high blood sugar or diabetes in patients who take GEODON. It is not known if GEODON was the cause.

If you experience a rash, lightheadedness, or seizures while taking GEODON, tell your doctor.

The most common side effects for patients taking GEODON for bipolar mania include sleepiness, abnormal muscle movements (such as tremors, shuffling, and uncontrolled movement), dizziness, and restlessness.

The most common side effects for patients taking GEODON for schizophrenia include sleepiness, increased cough, and runny nose.

In short-term schizophrenia clinical trials, 10% of GEODON-treated patients experienced a weight gain of ≥7% of body weight vs. 4% for placebo.

Please see patient summary of information and full prescribing information.

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