While this may seem a strange question at first blush, it makes a whole lot of sense once you sort it out. In this section, I hope to introduce you to a group of related disorders that are often found in conjunction with manic-depressive illness. It's a good idea at least to be on nodding terms with each of these because they often mimic bipolar symptomology and/or complicate both the diagnosis and treatment of same. I can only touch on them briefly here, for each is deserving of a website of its own and, in fact, most do have websites. I've provided some links to major sites if you care to seek out additional information.
Obsessions as defined by (1), (2), (3), and (4):
Compulsions as defined by (1) and (2):
Specify if:
With Poor Insight: if, for most of the time during the current episode the person does not recognize that the obsessions and compulsions are excessive or unreasonable.
Associated Features
A pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects, and marked impulsivity beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:
Mood Disorders; Histrionic Personality Disorder; Schizotypal Personality Disorder; Paranoid Personality Disorder; Narcissistic Personality Disorder; Antisocial Personality Disorder; Dependent Personality Disorder; Personality Change Due to a General Medical Condition; symptoms that may develop in association with chronic substance use; Identity Problem.