Depression vs. Bipolar

Konstantine · 18-04-2010, 08:17 PM

I was discharged from CAMHS in March. I am not just going to my doctor.
I was diagnosed with depression and put on fluoxetine by CAMHS, however, before this, they did consider and we talked about bipolar disorder.
We talked about bipolar vs. depression and my psych thought that I was possibly just having overreactions to feeling 'okay' rather than manic episodes - that i couldnt recognise what my 'normal' was. I accepted this, started my meds. I had a period when I was extremely suicidal then the meds started working - I had energy, was socialising, EXTREMELY productive. I got up to do work at midnight. I wanted to live forever, so many hopes and ambitions. This has calmed down after a month and right now i'm feeling okay - this leads me to think that, I may possibly have Bipolar II.
How do I know what's my 'normal' feeling, rather than hypomania or whatever?
Now, I cant mention this to CAMHS as ive been discharged. What would my options be? If I went to my GP would they have to refer me to a specialist service or could I just talk to him?

Thanks.

The Hierophant · 18-04-2010, 08:43 PM

I think your old doctor may have been right to be honest, I did that when i found a medication that worked for me, when it started to work I knew about it & was (as my mother stated) all over the place. Very euphoric, because you say you started your meds a month ago & only now have you 'calmed down' it could be you are 'normal'.

i'd say try not to stress & just try to enjoy the stable 'normal' feeling.

i'm probably not making sense & i'm not a doctor so i could be wrong, if in doubt though speak to your gp. :)

Geranium · 19-04-2010, 12:12 AM

I agree with what Hierophant says.

Normally it would be a psychiatrist not a GP who'd diagnose bipolar 2. I think they'd probably need to see how things progress for another few months though - bi-polar's possible but this may equally have been a reaction to new meds/ coming out of a suicidal phase. Hopefully you will remain relatively stable.

There's no harm in keeping in touch with the GP about how things are going though.