JK> Bipolar disease is inherited.  There are five genetic codes found in
JK> European research associated with this disease.  And three of those five
JK> have also, in European research, been associated with alcoholism.
How interesting. My mother has been treated for bipolar disorder, although 
he
is not currently. Myself and my sisters believe that the diagnosis was 
orrect
for her, but we're only laypeople. She is also an alcoholic, as are all three 
of her brothers. One of my sisters is a drug addict. All are in 
recovery. Affective disorders run on her side of the family, although not as
strongly as they run on my father's side, which also has been touched by 
alcoholism, not unsurprisingly given the indian genetics.
I am definitely not bipolar and have no alcohol or drug problems, but I can 
see how, between the mixed signals from my ADHD, my family history, my 
personal history, and my garden-variety depression, a mental health 
practitioner might think it something to look into. It should never have been 
diagnosed or treated, though, and the doctor who did so never did an 
evaluation beyond (literally) reading me a few questions off a checklist in a 
pamphlet.
JK> Strange. That is how chemical dependency counselors, the better ones,
JK> work.
Not particularly strange. Ritalin requires monitoring and useful techniques 
for treatment often cross fields.
JK> Complete history including that of physical disease, food allergies, and
JK> mental and emotional problems in the family.  Family health for at least
JK> three generations.
If the doctor who diagnosed me bipolar had done this, I would have been far 
less surprised.
JK> Otherwise, how in hades can a diagnosis be made except by P.E.T. scan or
JK> some other physical test?
I've had a PET. Nasty thing. For a different reason, of course, but the 
results are still useful.
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