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David Mrazek, M.D.
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David Mrazek, M.D.
David Mrazek, M.D.
Dr. David A. Mrazek is chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Psychology at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., and a professor of psychiatry at College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic. Dr. Mrazek has developed a federally funded psychiatric pharmacogenomics research program and implemented clinical psychiatric pharmacogenomics services at Mayo Clinic.
He has received numerous awards including the Award for Creativity in Psychiatric Education from the American College of Psychiatrists and the Agnes Purcell McGavin Award for Distinguished Career Achievement in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry from the American Psychiatric Association. He currently serves as chairman of the board of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
Dr. Mrazek has focused his current efforts on using pharmacogenomics testing to improve clinical care. One of his specific goals is to decrease the risks of taking psychiatric medications.
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Depression blog
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Aug. 22, 2008
Bipolar isn't simple; there can be many sets of symptoms
By David Mrazek, M.D.
Bipolar affective disorder is a disorder of mood that involves a depressive phase and a nondepressed or manic phase.
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The specific set of symptoms is important as some medications, such as Lamictal, are better for a mixed bipolar episode. Medications used to treat bipolar (mood stabilizers) are different than medications used to treat depression.
The manic phase is characterized by elevated or irritable mood plus 3 to 4 of the following symptoms happening during the same time period (at least one week continuously):
- Decreased need for sleep (feeling refreshed on little sleep)
- Decreased appetite
- Grandiosity (inflated sense of self worth)
- Distractibility
- Excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have a high potential for painful consequences (buying sprees, sexual indiscretion, foolish business ventures)
- Flight of ideas (talking and thinking that jumps from one topic to another-racing thoughts)
- Increase in activities involving school, work or social life
- Agitation
The person may also experience psychosis, which means being out of touch with reality. The manic phase is a change in previous life functioning that is not caused by drugs or alcohol. The manic phase alternates with a depressive phase.
The Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) is a self-screening tool that can be used in conjunction with a visit to a mental health provider. Mood swings alone do not mean you have bipolar. Borderline personality symptoms can look like bipolar and other mental illness, too. Time and accurate information help to make the correct diagnosis and provide the best treatment.
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