Anyone Help To Translate A Few Words?

[simon43]

In light of the recent illness of my wife, I want to be sure when discussing this with Thai doctors that they/I understand each other. I can't find these words in my Thai dictionary, so help is much appreciated for suitable translations. (I read Thai OK so don't need transliterations).

Bipolar

Manic-depression

... and any other that might be useful

Thanks

Simon

[meadish_sweetball]

Any doctor who has studied at the appropriate level should already be familiar with the English expressions - I do not think I would entrust the responsibility to someone who did not... but anyway

วึ่งบ้าคลั่ง สลับสลดหดหู่ - Explanation of 'manic-depressive' in Prae Pittaya Medical Dictionary

มีสองขั้ว is given for 'bipolar' in the same dictionary - but I am doubtful this is actually used to describe a mental state except in bad translations. Granted, ขั้ว means 'a pole', but I am not confident the meaning extends beyond electricity and North Pole/South Pole.

อาการวิกลจริตสลับกับอาการเศร้าชึม explanation of 'manic-depressive' in Medical Sciences Dictionary by Professor (Hon.) Dr. Wit Thiengburanathum

ซึ่งมีสองนิ้ว explanation of 'bipolar' in Medical Sciences Dictionary by Professor (Hon.) Dr. Wit Thiengburanathum

I think 'bipolar' (or 'bipolar mood disorder') is so new as a preferred term that the Thai dictionaries have not kept up. I know in Swedish, most people still refer to this illness as 'manic depression' (manodepressivitet in Swedish) and only medical professionals might consider using 'bipolär'.

[withnail]

I agree with Meadish. Although it might be helpful to be able to converse with doctors in Thai I would definitely stick to English for medical terminology. I think it's also important to realise that culturally Thais have a different experience when visiting the doctor's. When I used to take my ex to see a doctor I used to go in with her, at the time my Thai wasn't good but I can guarantee the conversation that went on between them wasn't the same as I would then have afterwards with him.

I was talking about this with my Thai teacher the other day. I said that if I go to the doctor's and speak English they will tell me I have a throat infection. I once tried to explain this in Thai to someone using the words ติดเชื้อในคอ and got funny looks. My teacher said that a doctor wouldn't say this to a Thai and that Thais would not use this expression when talking because if they heard the word เชื้อ they would automatically associate the word with all sorts of serious conditions. She said in Thai they would most likely say หวัดลงคอ.

Another story she told me was of a Thai man who went to the doctor's and was diagnosed as having T.B. (in Thai วัณโรค). The doctor, knowing the patient couldn't speak English told him he had T.B. without using the term วัณโรค. This was so the patient wouldn't know what was really wrong with him.

[yoot]

Bipolar or Bipolar order in medical term means โรคอารมณ์ 2 ขั้ว or โรคอารมณ์แปรปรวนแบบ 2 ขั้ว or just โรคอารมณ์แปรปรวน

Manic (I think the correct word should be mania)- for this sickness we would use คึกคัก(vivacious) or ครึกครื้น (mirthful) or คลุ้มคลั่ง(mania) for normal speaking

And, depression - ซึมเศร้า

So, if you want to say " Sometimes she had manic and sometimes she had depression" in Thai it should be "บางครั้งเค้าก็ดูคึกคักดี แต่บางครั้งก็ซึมเศร้า"

วึ่งบ้าคลั่ง สลับสลดหดหู่ วึ่งมีสองนิ้ว

I think this must be a typo, it should be ซึ่ง not วิ่ง

[meadish_sweetball]

วึ่งบ้าคลั่ง สลับสลดหดหู่ วึ่งมีสองนิ้ว

I think this must be a typo, it should be ซึ่ง not วิ่ง

Yes, it's a typo - thank you for pointing that out. I have changed it in the post above now.

Bipolar or Bipolar order in medical term means โรคอารมณ์ 2 ขั้ว or โรคอารมณ์แปรปรวนแบบ 2 ขั้ว or just โรคอารมณ์แปรปรวน

Manic (I think the correct word should be mania)- for this sickness we would use คึกคัก(vivacious) or ครึกครื้น (mirthful) or คลุ้มคลั่ง(mania) for normal speaking

'Manic depressive' is now outdated, but it used to be the normally used term for a person who suffers from a syndrome referred to as 'manic depression' or 'manic depressive psychosis' (both of these are nouns).

'Mania' is a noun referring to the mental state experienced during the manic phase of the disorder.

Usage examples:

He is manic. The condition he suffers from is mania.

He is a manic depressive. He suffers from a condition known as manic depression.

And, depression - ซึมเศร้า

So, if you want to say " Sometimes she had manic and sometimes she had depression" in Thai it should be "บางครั้งเค้าก็ดูคึกคักดี แต่บางครั้งก็ซึมเศร้า"

That should be 'Sometimes she is manic and sometimes she is depressed' - 'manic' is an adjective.

But it is important to note that the manic phase is not just คึกคัก - there is nothing abnormal about being คึกคัก - perfectly healthy people are active and vivacious. A manic person however, displays abnormal activity, i.e. hyperactivity. Some other characteristics of the manic phase is unrealistic optimism and self-confidence, resulting in the person being a danger to themselves and others. They overestimate their own abilities and take unnecessary risks.

My friend's father is manic depressive, so I have personally experienced how a person acts when in a manic phase. Typical behaviour is to be wasteful with money - my friend's father took a loan to buy a Ferrari sportscar, bought a very expensive vintage guitar for my friend and he had 1000 projects at once. He was very cunning and lied to people on a regular basis in order to avoid treatment.

It is very common that bipolar people who are in the manic phase, do not see themselves as sick, and for this reason, they will try to resist treatment as much as they can.

When he went into a depressive phase, he changed completely - he would spend all his time in bed in a dark room, crying and getting thoughts of suicide.

So the two extremes are abnormal conditions which require medication and treatment - not just normal high activity and minor depression.

------

The new definition 'bipolar mood disorder' means the same thing. Bipolar is a metaphor for the completely different phases experienced in the disorder - abnormal amount of 'minus' interchanged with an abnormal amount of 'plus'.

[aileen]

In light of the recent illness of my wife, I want to be sure when discussing this with Thai doctors that they/I understand each other. I can't find these words in my Thai dictionary, so help is much appreciated for suitable translations. (I read Thai OK so don't need transliterations).

Bipolar

Manic-depression

... and any other that might be useful

Thanks

Simon

[Irene]

Most general practicioner do not know manic depressive or bipolar. Most do not detect the symptom. You would need to see a specialist, i.e. psychologist who would definitely know both terms in English anyway.

[sutnyod]

Hi Simon,

I have been following your post in the health forum. Would suggest the other way round: you should describe your wife's symptoms and actions to the doctors you see, ask them for a (temporary?) diagnosis, note it down and keep it in mind. Then I would go to ask a second opinion.

I would be very reluctant to go see a doctor with a diagnosis on hand.

[kimleethai]

Hi Simon,

I am RN in USA. but native Thai, listen to your story make me wonder where do you get your wife from? I don't want to be insult or hurt your feeling but seem like she might ex-bar girl or ex-prostitute something like that right?

Well, Bipolar-Manic phase is very common in USA. but in Thailand, they are very ignorance about that, I think the best thing for you to do is typing on google "Bipolar disorder" and read it then you will understand that.

God bless you and let me know if I can help more.

Kim