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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can Alcohol Or Chemo Trigger Bipolar Tendencies?

My ex-fiance went on a binge drunk all day, and turned into someone else. He's survived esophageal cancer w/chemo. He's turned into a monster, threatening to hit me so I left, but I do care about him and I'm very worried for him-he's gone to Las Vegas and gambled a huge amount of money away...we don't talk much anymore but I worry about him. Is it possible that the chemo triggered the bipolar or whatever this is...and alcohol just pushes him over the edge? Thank you very much
Tue, 24 Jun 2014
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Which chemo is given that is not known so cant predict about its effects.However normally chemo don't worsen bipolar. But yes alcohol of course can worsen bipolar features. You are not aware about his current status of treatment. Another part to be evaluated that is he taking mood stabilizer medicines for bipolar disorder or not. If not He is not in control without medicines also which is another reason more than that you describe.
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Can Alcohol Or Chemo Trigger Bipolar Tendencies?

Which chemo is given that is not known so cant predict about its effects.However normally chemo don t worsen bipolar. But yes alcohol of course can worsen bipolar features. You are not aware about his current status of treatment. Another part to be evaluated that is he taking mood stabilizer medicines for bipolar disorder or not. If not He is not in control without medicines also which is another reason more than that you describe.