Q:  Is Bipolar the Same as Schizophrenia

Dear Dr.

I believe my son may be schizohrenic, he is being seen for a mental disorder.  Is biopolar the same illness?

Nancy

Dear Nancy -- 
In short, "no".  They are very difficult to tell apart sometimes.  If there are a lot of folks in your family who have had mood problems, that raises the likelihood that his problems are bipolar rather than schizophrenia.  Bipolar disorder has a much better prognosis, so I always hope it's that, but it isn't, always.  Try this info' for basics about bipolar that looks like schizophrenia (this is "bipolar I", as opposed to "bipolar II", which does not have episodes of loss of contact with reality, generally).  

Dr. Phelps

Published November, 2001