Differences
| Alcoholism |
Bipolar Disorder |
| 1. Usually enjoys or craves alcohol |
1. Often does not enjoy alcohol |
| 2. Significant improvement with sobriety |
2. Significant problems persist despite sobriety |
| 3. No history of mood or sleep cycles |
3. Strong history of mood and sleep cycles |
| 4. Medication not helpful in treatment |
4. Responds well to lithium & anticonvulsants |
| 5. Can respond well to counseling |
5. Needs medication in addition to and support groups counseling |
Similarities
| Alcoholism |
Bipolar Disorder |
| 0. Excessive use of alcohol |
0. Excessive use of alcohol |
| 1. Misses work frequently |
1. Misses work frequently |
| 2. Changes jobs frequently |
2. Changes jobs frequently |
| 3. Chaotic relationships |
3. Chaotic relationships |
| 4. Disturbed sleep pattern |
4. Disturbed sleep pattern |
| 5. Poor personal hygiene |
5. Poor personal hygiene |
| 6. Impaired judgment |
6. Impaired judgment |
| 7. Sobriety essential for treatment |
7. Sobriety essential for treatment |
| 8. Family history of alcoholism is likely to be present |
8. Family history of alcoholism is likely to be present |
Reprinted with permission from "Why Your Depression Isn't Getting Better: The Epidemic of Undiagnosed Bipolar Disorders" by Michael R. Bartos, MD., ISBN 0-595-12209-4, Published September 2000, iUniverse.com