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| On average, people with bipolar disorder see 3 to 4 doctors and spend over 8 years seeking treatment before they receive a correct
 diagnosis. Earlier diagnosis, proper treatment, and finding the right
 medications can help people avoid the following:
 ● Suicide. The risk is highest in the initial years of the illness.
 Over the course of the illness nearly 1 out of 5 individuals with
 bipolar disorder will die from suicide, making it one of the most
 lethal psychiatric illnesses.
 ● Alcohol/substance abuse. More than 50% of those with bipolar
 disorder abuse alcohol or drugs during their illness. While some
 individuals may use substances in an attempt to “self-medicate”
 symptoms of bipolar illness, individuals with a combination of
 substance abuse and bipolar illness have a worse outcome.
 ● Marital and work problems. Prompt treatment improves the
 prospects for a stable marriage and productive work.
 ● Treatment difficulties. In some individuals, it appears that
 episodes become more frequent and harder to treat over time.
 This is sometimes referred to as “kindling.”
 ● Incorrect, inappropriate, or partial treatment. A person misdi-agnosed
 as having depression alone instead of bipolar disorder
 may incorrectly receive antidepressants alone without a mood
 stabilizing medication. This can trigger manic episodes and
 make the overall course of the illness worse.
 
 平均说来,一个双向情感障碍的病人要看3-4个心理医生,花八年时间才来找到正确的治疗方法。这篇短文讲了尽早地诊断和治疗双向情感障碍可以避免的5大问题。
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