anxiety / depression / something else?
emmylove86
Posts: 6
So about two weeks ago, I had a follow up appointment with my doctor. I switched depression medicine a few months ago (now taking lexapro). I've been doing better while on it, but not 100% better. Still experiencing anxiety and depressed thoughts. She put me on another medicine (Wellbutrin).
While discussing symptoms she wondered aloud if I could potentially have ADHD. I had told her my inability to concentrate on work or chores. The reason she thought I didn't have it was because I told her I was always able to get the work done. It's just that now it takes me longer to get it done than it used to. I generally enjoy what I do and the people who I work with, but in the past few months I have found it difficult to concentrate or to care.
After the appointment, I began researching other mental disorders (including ADHD since my doctor had mentioned it). I stumbled upon some information about varying bipolar disorders. I'm not 100% sure if that is what I have, but it seems to fit some of my symptoms. I don't go into a full mania, but I have severe mood swings. Today for example, I woke up in a great mood. I got my hair cut and ran some errands. As soon as I got home, I immediately was depressed. My boyfriend was extremely concerned. Within a couple hours I was back to normal, but now I'm feeling down again. This has happened in more startling instances where I have gone from happy to angry to depressed to happy in a matter of hours over relatively nothing. It seems I hit the more depressed side of bipolar (if that is what it is). Anyone have thoughts on these symptoms? Any ideas are welcome!
While discussing symptoms she wondered aloud if I could potentially have ADHD. I had told her my inability to concentrate on work or chores. The reason she thought I didn't have it was because I told her I was always able to get the work done. It's just that now it takes me longer to get it done than it used to. I generally enjoy what I do and the people who I work with, but in the past few months I have found it difficult to concentrate or to care.
After the appointment, I began researching other mental disorders (including ADHD since my doctor had mentioned it). I stumbled upon some information about varying bipolar disorders. I'm not 100% sure if that is what I have, but it seems to fit some of my symptoms. I don't go into a full mania, but I have severe mood swings. Today for example, I woke up in a great mood. I got my hair cut and ran some errands. As soon as I got home, I immediately was depressed. My boyfriend was extremely concerned. Within a couple hours I was back to normal, but now I'm feeling down again. This has happened in more startling instances where I have gone from happy to angry to depressed to happy in a matter of hours over relatively nothing. It seems I hit the more depressed side of bipolar (if that is what it is). Anyone have thoughts on these symptoms? Any ideas are welcome!
0
Replies
-
Are you seeing a medical doctor or a psychiatrist? I would elect for you to go see a psychiatrist to get evaluated. I have bipolar and take a mood stabilizer and an anti-psychotic. From what I understand antidepressants (though I've taken then in the past) can catapult you into mania. When I was a teenager I was more on the manic side of the disorder and had short bouts of scary depression, now it's the opposite I rarely get manic anymore. It's very possible that you have something like bipolar or bipolar 2 disorder but I think a psychiatrist would be the best person for you to get it confirmed.0
-
I'm bipolar and for me my mood swings are sever but they last for quite a while weeks or more. I would see if you aren't already a psychiatrist, as they are the best able to diagnose psychiatry disorders and have the greatest knowledge on how to treat psychiatric disorders, much more than GPs. Usually to be diagnosed as Bipolar I you have to have had mania that lasted 7 days or more or is sever enough to cause hospitalization. To be diagnosed Bipolar II you have to have at least 1 episode of hypomania lasting 4 or more days. Both types of bipolar can have psychosis. Bipolar 1 can have mixed episodes. Although they are changing the criteria for mixed epidsodes in the new DSM where all bipolar and mdd can have mixed features. Depression has to last for at least 2 weeks for all of the mood disorders.
If you are bipolar antidepressants can trigger hypomania or mania if they aren't used in conjunction with a mood stabilizer. I take wellbutrin with an mood stabalizer, and two antipsychotics. I have been on two antidepressants at once while on my other medications. Wellbutrin is less likely to induce mania/hypomania as it has mood stabilizing properties, it is also used sometimes as a non stimulant treatment for ADD. Definitely talk to your doctor about the symptoms you are concerned about.
To be diagnosed as Bipolar I you have to have had mania that lasted 7 days or more or are sever enough to cause hospitalization. To be diagnosed Bipolar II you have to have at least 1 episode of hypomania lasting 4 or more days. Both types of bipolar can have psychosis. Bipolar 1 can have mixed episodes. Although they are changing the criteria for mixed epidsodes in the new DSM where all bipolar and mdd can have mixed features. Depression has to last for at least 2 weeks for all of the mood disorders.
Bring up your concerns with your doctor as both depression and hypomania/mania can be dangerous.0 -
It's not ADHD unless you've always been that way. In your case, it's probably a side effect of your depression, anxiety, etc. That is a very common symptom.0
-
Thank you all for your responses. I am seeing a general practitioner and have been to a therapist, but have not been to a psychiatrist. I definitely feel like I ought to, but may wait until after my next appointment (in 2 weeks) with my GP as a follow up to the Wellbutrin.
Before taking medicine (months ago), my mood would skip day to day from happy / active / energetic to depressed / no energy / unable to do anything. With the medicine, I have far less energy and willpower to do anything, but the anxiety has been less severe. I still experience numerous episodes of depression which comes with a complete lack of energy.
I'm having a difficult time figuring out if the medicine is helping me. How long have does it really take to be on one medicine (or a combination) before it starts to work?0 -
Psych meds generally take 2-4 weeks to have an effect.0
-
But it takes that long each time you up the dosage too.0
-
Psych meds generally take 2-4 weeks to have an effect.
I was told they take a minimum of a month to work0 -
I think it is 2 weeks to start seeing an effect, and 4 weeks to be fully effective.0
