Problems with the thyroid gland can mimic depression or mania. Also, medicines used in bipolar disorder, especially lithium or carbamazepine, can lower thyroid function. When these or other mood stabilizers don't work, 'atypical' antipsychotic medicines like Clozaril can be helpful for the manic part. When nothing else works, ECT can be very effective. People are looking into the usefulness of newer medicines like Lamictal or gabapentin.
Family histories can overlap.
For some reason she was taken off the Klonopin and she continued well, but developed a very bad tremor. Now, she is back on Klonopin, I'm tapering Risperdal. Her Depakote level is 76. Beta blockers, like propranolol or albuteral, are the most effective treatment if the medicine associated with the tremor must be continued. My husband is bipolar.