Are you bipolar?

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Replies

  • JennyLisT
    JennyLisT Posts: 402 Member
    yep i'm Part of the BP Club too :ohwell: I Personally stopped all meds (and appointments) because they were a constant reminder of it

    ...what?
  • invincible_summer
    invincible_summer Posts: 35
    I've had treatment for a mood disorder for a decade (both meds and therapies). Before Christmas my GP said she thought I had bipolar disorder (something I've thought myself at various points) although my psychiatrist later said I don't fit the criteria, despite having obvious episodes which tend to last between 3-4 months, at least once a year.

    All of the SSRIs and SNRIs I tried made it a lot worse. As does caffeine (especially energy drinks), the contraceptive pill and anything 'natural' that affects hormones such as the Saw Palmetto (progesterone related).

    I was diagnosed with PCOS around a decade ago, so that might have an influence too.

    I've been offered mood stabilisers, but my psychiatrist thinks I'm one of the 30% of people who never benefit from meds and only experience bad side effects. Instead I'm going to try psychoanalysis. I tried CBT a few years ago.

    As far as weight loss goes, I weighed 143lb last August. I put on about 25lb during two years on Paxil/Seroxat. Now I'm at 124.8lb. I stopped Paxil/Seroxat in November and I haven't felt as hungry since. Coming off it was completely hellish though. I was very ill for weeks, to the extent that I probably need to repeat this year at university.
  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
    What kind of doctor told you this? Bipolar is kind of a "fad" right now, and everyone's kinda throwing the term around pretty casually, so it's best to see a specialist to confirm the diagnosis. If you think you're bipolar, please see a psychiatrist.
  • azanne07
    azanne07 Posts: 32
    might have it but refuse medication
  • runningfataway
    runningfataway Posts: 262
    Although I've never been diagnosed, I think I am.
  • invincible_summer
    invincible_summer Posts: 35
    The diagnosis depends largely on where you live: in America it's over-diagnosed whereas it's under-diagnosed in the UK. Also America has loose sub-types that don't exist here.
  • sissiluv
    sissiluv Posts: 2,205 Member
    It's been on the table for discussion, as has schizophrenia. In the end, my latest shrink just stuck with depression, prescribed me celexa and trazodone, and sent me for counselling sessions to equip me with the skills to attempt to handle it. At the time I was having outright delusions (I fancied myself an avenging angel sent by Heaven to cleanse the earth at one point), would randomly forget where I was, was under the impression that everyone was aiming to assault me and I'm still dealing with the bald patch that the stress brought me from being so anxious and terrified all the time. I went to the hospital twice due to anxiety attacks and ended up freaking out and cutting my face with a knife one night, freaking out all my MSNIM buddies who were chatting with me at the time.
    And yet it was just depression. Go fig. /Is not bitter at all

    There is a thing though, that I wouldn't be shocked if I had. Major Depression with Psychotic tendencies or something like that, which describes me to a T when I get bad (Bad being described above).
    Apparently it's also very hard to diagnose because the people who have it aren't fully truthful with their shrinks because they're ashamed of themselves as they are cognizant enough to recognize their delusions aren't real most of the time.
    Fun stuff.

    Just jump through the hoops OP. With any luck you've got a good shrink who will diagnose you properly and prescribe medication to improve your quality of life.
  • TheConsciousFoody
    TheConsciousFoody Posts: 607 Member
    What kind of doctor told you this? Bipolar is kind of a "fad" right now, and everyone's kinda throwing the term around pretty casually, so it's best to see a specialist to confirm the diagnosis. If you think you're bipolar, please see a psychiatrist.

    I agree with this. It seems every Dr is quick to say an individual is bi-polar, just like when the Ritalin fad hit and every friggen kid was put on it. After hearing it from a few Dr's that all had different answers about what kind I supposedly had I switched to another Dr. He actually did tests and had a real conversation with me, not just yes or no questions. Turns out I have pretty bad anxiety. I was put on effexor and I've been feeling super fantastic ever since. I was able to quit smoking, finally got my motivation back, and started living a healthy life.

    Talk to more than one Dr and if things don't add up continue until it makes sense.
  • Topher1978
    Topher1978 Posts: 975 Member
    No, I'm bi-winning!


    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QS0q3mGPGg
  • JennyLisT
    JennyLisT Posts: 402 Member
    What kind of doctor told you this? Bipolar is kind of a "fad" right now, and everyone's kinda throwing the term around pretty casually, so it's best to see a specialist to confirm the diagnosis. If you think you're bipolar, please see a psychiatrist.

    I agree with this. It seems every Dr is quick to say an individual is bi-polar, just like when the Ritalin fad hit and every friggen kid was put on it. After hearing it from a few Dr's that all had different answers about what kind I supposedly had I switched to another Dr. He actually did tests and had a real conversation with me, not just yes or no questions. Turns out I have pretty bad anxiety. I was put on effexor and I've been feeling super fantastic ever since. I was able to quit smoking, finally got my motivation back, and started living a healthy life.

    Talk to more than one Dr and if things don't add up continue until it makes sense.

    I definitely agree with getting multiple consultations (if possible) and definitely seeking a diagnosis from a psychiatrist- NOT a general practitioner. I spent years being tossed around by general practitioners, and I feel that they have no place diagnosing or treating mental illnesses.

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