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Is iPad good for somebody who is manic depressive?

X

XciteMe

macrumors 6502
Original poster
May 21, 2009
450
1
Santa Monica, CA
My sister-in-law is manic depressive, what used to be called bi-polar, so she has moments where she's got lots of energy and talks a lot, and then moments when she is very sullen, depressed and forlorn.

Would iPad be OK for her??? I just want to make sure it won't interfere with her condition.

Thanks.
 
While that's an admirable thought I think this is the wrong place to ask that sort of question unless there's a doctor to answer the question.

Why not ask her doctor ? That might be better.:)
 
Her psychiatrist? There's a patient-psychiatrist confidentiality rule that states nothing can be discussed about her... This is true for all patients who see psychiatrists and therapists. Unless it involves a murder or other serious crime, the psych cannot disclose any information about her to me.

Basically I just want to ensure nothing with iPad or iPad usage can overstimulate her mania episodes, or worsen her depression episodes.

?
 
We don't know your sister or the specifics of her condition.

Furthermore what would an iPad to do change her condition? Does she use other electronics?

I think her doctor is better suited to answer you.
 
XciteMe said:
Her psychiatrist? There's a patient-psychiatrist confidentiality rule that states nothing can be discussed about her... This is true for all patients who see psychiatrists and therapists. Unless it involves a murder or other serious crime, the psych cannot disclose any information about her to me.

Basically I just want to ensure nothing with iPad or iPad usage can overstimulate her mania episodes, or worsen her depression episodes.

?
Click to expand...



You don't see ppl with frowns having ipads. Same goes for jet skis.
 
Based upon my experience with bi-polar women, the iPad will be wonderful for her until she throws it.
 
XciteMe said:
psych cannot disclose any information about her to me.
Click to expand...

Then phrase the question so he can. Make the question generic enough that he can answer or put it in a way that he can answer without commenting on her specific condition.

"Im thinking of gifting her an iPad, but I want to check with you first. Do you think she would like it?"

or something similar.
 
XciteMe said:
Her psychiatrist? There's a patient-psychiatrist confidentiality rule that states nothing can be discussed about her... This is true for all patients who see psychiatrists and therapists. Unless it involves a murder or other serious crime, the psych cannot disclose any information about her to me.

Basically I just want to ensure nothing with iPad or iPad usage can overstimulate her mania episodes, or worsen her depression episodes.

?
Click to expand...

While this is true, it really doesn't apply to your situation. If you were to ask, "I need to know what her condition is so I can decide whether or not to purchase an iPad for her. Will you please explain it to me?", that would be asking her doctor to violate confidentiality. However, asking, "I would like to buy this for her, but I'm concerned that it could interfere with any treatment she might be getting. Would you recommend getting her an iPad or not?" is not actually asking for any confidential information. Rather, you're asking for advice based on confidential information that her doctor holds.

Look at it this way, if you were considering buying her a bottle of Scotch, but were concerned that there might be drug interactions, asking her doctor if a bottle of Scotch would be an okay gift allows the doctor to provide you with advice that could save her life (some drug interactions with alcohol can be very nasty).
 
XciteMe said:
My sister-in-law is manic depressive, what used to be called bi-polar
Click to expand...

I smell a troll.

It's the other way around. It used to be called "manic depressive", more recently was called "bi-polar disorder", and currently is often called "affective disorder" (lumped-in with depression).

Somebody who's sister is under current treatment for affective disorder would likely know the correct terminology.
 
jtara said:
I smell a troll.

It's the other way around. It used to be called "manic depressive", more recently was called "bi-polar disorder", and currently is often called "affective disorder" (lumped-in with depression).

Somebody who's sister is under current treatment for affective disorder would likely know the correct terminology.
Click to expand...

I also smell a troll but I have to correct you a bit.


The DSM-IV TR still uses the bipolar terminology. Bipolar I being the most common form of the disorder there is also Bipolar II and Cyclothymic disorder.

The Bipolar Disorders are classified within the category known as Affective
disorders.

I have taught Psychopathology to college students for 25 years so I felt compelled to jump in :)
 
Star56 said:
I also smell a troll but I have to correct you a bit.


The DSM-IV TR still uses the bipolar terminology. Bipolar I being the most common form of the disorder there is also Bipolar II and Cyclothymic disorder.

The Bipolar Disorders are classified within the category known as Affective
disorders.

I have taught Psychopathology to college students for 25 years so I felt compelled to jump in :)
Click to expand...

So what would your advice be to the OP? (Yes, I'm trying to help the OP instead of speculating if he's a troll)
 
jtara said:
I smell a troll.

It's the other way around. It used to be called "manic depressive", more recently was called "bi-polar disorder", and currently is often called "affective disorder" (lumped-in with depression).

Somebody who's sister is under current treatment for affective disorder would likely know the correct terminology.
Click to expand...

If you smell troll thenna shower might be in order for you
 
If she had a bad day and was feeling particularly depressed then had a problem with the popular wifi issue it could tip her over the edge.

Buyer beware.
 
I'm bi-polar. I tend to be more depressed than manic.

I have found no issue with using the iPad. I've had it for a month now.

I haven't had a major episode in the last month but when I am moody I find I tend to not use it.

I do not think the iPad would hurt her in anyway but I am not a doctor.
 
Is she Bipolar I, II or Cyclothymic?

If she's Bipolar II chances are that she may be on some form of antipsychotic medication such as Haloperidol, or some other DA antagonist, which have the unfortunate side-effect of causing Parkinson-esque motor disorder. Therefore a touch screen device that relies on a relative degree of motor control would probably be a bad idea.

However, I do fail to see how the iPad would be either suitable or unsuitable for someone with such a condition. It's not like individuals with affective disorders are known to react adversely to computers or electronic devices. This would be more a question on a personal level, akin to any individual debating wanting an iPad, or on a physical ability level related more to her current medication than anything.
 
XciteMe said:
My sister-in-law is manic depressive, what used to be called bi-polar, so she has moments where she's got lots of energy and talks a lot, and then moments when she is very sullen, depressed and forlorn.

Would iPad be OK for her??? I just want to make sure it won't interfere with her condition.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

After looking at all the threads you've started here the past few days, I'd say you're the manic depressive one.
 
I'm not a doctor, but I sometimes play one at the local community theater and I'd say she'll be better off with one of the new Android Tablets that support Flash.
 
Is this a post just to post? I mean really ... Surely you can ask a Doctor a question about whether getting something for your sister would be safe! What a statement on his part.
 
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