- With Mayo Clinic psychiatrist
Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D.
Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D.
Dr. Daniel Hall-Flavin, board certified in general psychiatry and addiction psychiatry, is a St. Louis native looking to the Internet as a way to help people improve their health and be more active participants in their own health care by learning from Mayo Clinic's experts.
Dr. Hall-Flavin has been a member of the faculties of Cornell University Medical College, New York Medical College, and The George Washington University Medical School before joining the Mayo Clinic staff in 1996. He has special interests in adult psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, and psychogenomics. He has served as medical director of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence from 1986 to 1999.
"With the advent of the genomics and proteomics revolution and the pace of advances in medicine, informed collaborative relationships between knowledgeable, capable health professionals and informed, proactive individuals and their families are more vital than ever," he said.
"I'm optimistic that our Internet health education activities will contribute to ever-improving health outcomes for all who participate and apply what is learned."
Tests and diagnosis (1)
- Bipolar disorder in children: Is it possible?
Complications (1)
- Bipolar disorder and alcoholism: Are they related?
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Question
Bipolar disorder and alcoholism: Are they related?
Is there a connection between bipolar disorder and alcoholism?
Answer
from Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D.
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness characterized by severe — even disabling — mood swings. Bipolar disorder and alcoholism often occur together. Although a genetic link is suspected, the connection between bipolar disorder and alcoholism hasn't been clearly established.
In some cases, bipolar disorder clearly develops before alcoholism. In turn, bipolar disorder may increase the risk of alcoholism or other forms of substance abuse. Likewise, symptoms of bipolar disorder may emerge during alcohol intoxication or withdrawal. In other cases, bipolar disorder is masked by alcoholism.
When bipolar disorder and alcoholism occur together, each can worsen the symptoms and severity of the other. In addition, alcohol or other substance abuse can complicate treatment for bipolar disorder, and vice versa.
A psychiatrist may use the term "dual diagnosis" when referring to a person who has both bipolar disorder and alcoholism. Treatment may require the expertise of psychiatrists and other mental health care providers who specialize in the treatment of dual disorders.
Next questionBipolar disorder in children: Is it possible?
- Sonne SC, et al. Bipolar disorder and alcoholism. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh26-2/103-108.htm. Accessed Aug. 15, 2008.
- Bipolar disorder. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder/index.shtml. Accessed Aug. 15, 2008.
- What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder? National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder/symptoms.shtml. Aug. 15, 2008.
