bipolar? hmmm i didnt think so? (Full Version)

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mixielicous -> bipolar? hmmm i didnt think so? (2/8/2007 8:20:44 PM)

well i wont deny it i have been diagnosed a lot in my life - a few times with depression [plus PTSD and generalized anxiety] anywho my depression has been pretty well on the mend for coming up on two years now - in comparison - to the past.. but i still slip in for a day here and a day there and it has led my Master to many times ask if i am bipolar but i do not have any manic periods..

what could be an alternative explanation? and no i cant ask a Dr i am on a *no therapy* binge ATM [sm=rolleyes.gif]



sexyone4you -> RE: bipolar? hmmm i didnt think so? (2/8/2007 8:36:20 PM)

I am not a therapist by any means.  I was a case worker for mentally ill, mentally retarded, drug addicts and alcoholics.  I think your no doctor rule needs to be put aside for the moment.  As an fyi, people in manic phases don't normally notice that they are manic.  Mania can involve anything done in excess (shopping, spending money, eating, not sleeping, etc). It doesn't have to be that you are running around screaming and cleaning your house.  Some bipolar people deny they even have manic episodes.  Do you notice if you are more depressed in the colder & rainier months than in summer or fall?  It could be that you have Seasonal Affect Disorder.  It's a reaction to the decrease of sunlight.  (Fake baking is actually one of the treatments used to keep it in check.)  Also, sometimes we have shit days.  No one is Ms. Sunshine all the time.  Hormones could be a cause, dealing with the issue that caused your PTSD can do it, stress in general can do it (good or bad stress), and the list goes on. 

Before you decide you are or are not bipolar, go talk with your dr.  You can always go see your general practitioner and just ask questions. Being bipolar is a chemical issue & you need a certain level of meds to level you out.  However, maybe you just aren't getting enough sex, sleep, vitamins, etc.  Hell you may be fine and everyone else around you is crazy.  Do some self-evaluation and make informed decisions.



SCDommie -> RE: bipolar? hmmm i didnt think so? (2/8/2007 8:39:54 PM)

Hello Mixie:

I am bipolar.   I switched from depression to bipolar when I divorced.  I had a lot of things happen to me at once. 
When you are bipolar, your moods will be stable for a while. Then you will go into mania.  Mania is different for different people.  For me, I go into an anger period. I go in and the pschye adjusts my meds.  There are a lot of meds for this, and it has to be monitored.  Most people who are bipolar go on and live normal, healthy lives.
I started my diagnosis by checking in the net under bipolar disorder and filled out a questionaire to determine if I had enough traits to qualify as bipolar.
I did.
I got my appointment.  I am glad that I did.  At least I know I am not crazy.
You can also go through your local community therapists which base their fees on your income.   I would rather you go to a pshyce. 
Maybe you need to change your meds for depression if you are starting to lip every now and then.

SCD



mixielicous -> RE: bipolar? hmmm i didnt think so? (2/8/2007 8:44:31 PM)

well i have been in therapy off and on for 7 years, some of them consecutively yay

ordinarily i would appreciate the heads up on not recognizing a manic episode but i compulsively study disorders and really, REALLY show no signs of mania in comparison to my *average* state of mind.

yes i deff suffered from SAD long before i was diagnosed depressed but it has eased up considerably now that i am aware of it.

will look into vitamin/nutrient deficiencies



mixielicous -> RE: bipolar? hmmm i didnt think so? (2/8/2007 8:47:17 PM)

i have been off meds for 2 years now i find i have better luck with cognitive reconditioning and meditation than i do with meds - and i tried a lot of them! they just made my swings moodier, made me hear things, kept me awake or gave me nightmares. [:'(]



seekstofasn8adom -> RE: bipolar? hmmm i didnt think so? (2/8/2007 9:14:52 PM)

I use to go out with a lady diagnosed with bipolar so i know what you are going through.The lady i dated was suicidal and everything.She was even on suicide watch,and she was sectioned several times for wanting to harm herself.She never told me at the time,that she was a sufferer of this illness when we fisrt dated.But i learnt alot about it bipolar,that is.In the time that i went out with her,i learnt more alot more about myself aswell,at the time i really loved this girl so i stood by her through thick and thin.But unfortunately we seperated i often think of her even today i guess it's only natural.I hope she is well today,as i'd never want to wish her anyharm.Nor anyonelse for that matter.But i wish you well takecare of yourself,my very best wishes to you from Paul.

P.S.I know from experience that other people can be quite unsympathetic towards what you are going through because they can't see the pain,your inner pain.Of what you are going through,but i hope everything goes well for you,i'll say a prayer for you to give you strength and to bring you luck i hope anyway and lots of it.And i wish you well takecare of yourself.And hope you don't mind but here is a goodluck x for you be well then,and takecare of yourself once again. 



obey1 -> RE: bipolar? hmmm i didnt think so? (2/8/2007 9:16:05 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: mixielicous

well i wont deny it i have been diagnosed....my Master ...ask if i am bipolar but i do not have any manic periods..

what could be an alternative explanation? and no i cant ask a Dr i am on a *no therapy* binge ATM [sm=rolleyes.gif]


mixielicious,

I have lived with a true bi-polar father for 34 years of my life and I am 37.  My mother states that he was long before I was born.  I have a wonderful retirement to look forward to.  To this day he continues to deny it.  He takes Ritalin in the mornings and Prozac at night.  Sometimes he takes too much of either according to his mood like 'popping' pills and he shorts himself each month so there is up to a week per month when he has no meds and he must wait for the VA to give him his new prescription......

Please write me personally and I will try to find an alternate explanation.  I think as your post states, it is possible that you are being diagnosed by an unlearned person.  Right now there is not enough information.  If you want to continue public, I can do that too, but give us more info, like details.



seekstofasn8adom -> RE: bipolar? hmmm i didnt think so? (2/8/2007 9:17:12 PM)

Also please let me wish you goodluck with your therapy.[:)]Also hope everything works out for you i really do.



mixielicous -> RE: bipolar? hmmm i didnt think so? (2/8/2007 9:19:01 PM)

i have been diagnosed depressed twice in my life, but the idea that they had misdiagnosed me never crossed my mind ... until now

what details are you seeking



obey1 -> RE: bipolar? hmmm i didnt think so? (2/8/2007 9:22:42 PM)

What are you doing when Master suggests mania?



SCDommie -> RE: bipolar? hmmm i didnt think so? (2/8/2007 9:24:50 PM)

Oh.

It is very difficult to diagnosis.  It took me until last year to get a true diagnosis. 
I spent a lot of money talking to threapists about this and that, and I could have went to a pschye and had it figured out in thirty minutes.
You mentioned the meds causing night mares.  They do.  This week I dreamedI had a pink pig, and I saw a white kangaroo with long hair like a cat.I am happy though.  Good luck.  You know how you feel.  That is what you have to go on with this. 

SCD



straypett -> RE: bipolar? hmmm i didnt think so? (2/8/2007 9:59:48 PM)

http://psychcentral.com/resources/Bipolar/

Informative and reliable links...

Bipolar disorder is an illness that consists of alternating periods of elevated moods, called manic episodes, and depression. Mood swings run on a spectrum from mild mania (called hypomania) to more severe, debilitating highs. Periods of mania can last for hours, days, weeks or even months before the person plunges back into depression.
Unfortunately, bipolar disorder is commonly misdiagnosed as depression because the manic symptoms--such as increased energy, heightened mood and increased sex drive--have a positive effect on the patient. It feels good so it's not perceived as a problem. The low periods of depression are generally what first bring a patient in for help.

http://depression.about.com/library/quizzes/maniaquiz/blmanic.htm

bipolar screening quiz...



tgrss -> RE: bipolar? hmmm i didnt think so? (2/8/2007 10:18:33 PM)

I am bi-polar also... if you are going to stay with your only vitamins and supplements decision you might try B-12. The studies are finding now that many people with low lithium levels (the cause of bi-polar) also have low B-12 levels. And truly a manic episode can seem just like a "normal" day to anyone else becuase the lows can be so low.



CrazyC -> RE: bipolar? hmmm i didnt think so? (2/8/2007 11:46:11 PM)

Ok. I am getting confused. Are you on or off medication? Secondly, have you have any type of manic or mania experience? Talking too fast, compusive, over shopping, uphoria that you can do all things, anxiety attacks...ect?

If you are off your medication and you seem to keep going into depression, then i would look into chemical depression hwere the body just doesn't make enough siritonin. And get back on your meds and stay.

For bipolar there is a cycle for the ups and downs. It doesn't just swing down, and is why i am concerned that you might jump before looking at all things. Since two Doctors have only diagnosed you depressed, i would lean close to that since the only time i have truely seen someone go from being depressed to bipolar was after some type of bodily chemical change...mine was giving birth. I am not saying it can't happen, but thaty are things to look into.



windchymes -> RE: bipolar? hmmm i didnt think so? (2/9/2007 4:23:47 AM)

There is also a disorder I believe they have just coined fairly recently called "Bipolar II".  It's like primary bipolar disorder, but the swings between mania and depression are not as extreme, so therefore, not as easily or frequently diagnosed.



peasantsub -> RE: bipolar? hmmm i didnt think so? (2/9/2007 5:30:19 AM)

i have dealt with Bi-polar for the last 15 yrs of my life, and went through periods where i too came off my meds.  i figured since i didn't have the more popular "self medicating" practices that the dr. surely had me diagnosed wrong.  Then i realized i did some things that were way out there.  1 i spent money like there was no tomorrow on things that i had absolutely no use for ($600.00 dog) 2) i stayed awake for days, yes i was awake for days (4 days no sleep) then i crashed and i crashed hard. i spent a couple of days in the hospital swapping meds and now i know i am truely Bi-polar.  my life on meds is a pretty normal life.  i still have the ability to get angry, sad, happy, etc only now the emotions are in a normal prespective.  i suggest to you strongly that you seek an eval for bi-polar.  many times when i would go to the dr in the beginning i would only be facing the depression part of my feelings, but he was able to see past that in the simple things that i stated to him and was able to determine that i was bi-polar.  now if i could just get my extended family to understand the effects of bi-polar i'll be doing good. (lol)   good luck!



LuckyAlbatross -> RE: bipolar? hmmm i didnt think so? (2/9/2007 7:40:18 AM)

Or you're just young and moody and will stabilize over time.



mixielicous -> RE: bipolar? hmmm i didnt think so? (2/9/2007 7:41:53 AM)

LOL yea that is always an option... and a feesable one to boot[8|]



CrazyC -> RE: bipolar? hmmm i didnt think so? (2/9/2007 9:09:39 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: windchymes

There is also a disorder I believe they have just coined fairly recently called "Bipolar II".  It's like primary bipolar disorder, but the swings between mania and depression are not as extreme, so therefore, not as easily or frequently diagnosed.


I am Bi Polar II, and yes there will still be a mania that can be noticed. Mine is through anxiety attacks. Other's it could be seeming like you have a very large amount of energy with little sleep.

Also there would have been large signs of mania while being put on depressents.



DiurnalVampire -> RE: bipolar? hmmm i didnt think so? (2/9/2007 9:17:43 AM)

I never realized there were so many of us bipolar in the forums, much less the community.
I am bipolar and completely off meds. I have swings, but I put a lot of work into making sure no one knows about them.  The depression is always a little harder to mask than the manic times. 
Manic epsiodes can be anything as minor as being overly distracted at work, not getting much sleep at night, and either overeating for no apparent reason (when you dont normally do so) or barely eatting at all. My psychiatrist said that most people dont even notice their manic epsiodes, because they dont know what they are looking at.  It can be mistaken (as it was in my case) as simply resuming normal after a depressed episode. I was misdiagnosed for a little over a year, until my docotr decided to try me on antidepressants, and I was in a manic episode for nearly 7 days. Straight.  I didnt sleep or eat at all, and spent a lovely few days in the hospital when I fianlly came down. After that, Id never touch meds again.

Good luck
DV



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