For as long as I can remember, I have had constant ups and downs. Not normal ones though ... I'll be so happy that it doesn't feel sane. Have so much energy, productivity, and this all basically leads to me having poor judgment, and making bad or impulsive decisions.
Other times, I'll be so depressed I can't stand it.
I've been diagnosed as having Major Depressive Disorder, but I'm beginning to wonder if this is a misdiagnosis.
I'm on antidepressants, but a low dose. And I'm still having the mood swings but to more of an extreme. I have honestly gone from feeling so high, to feeling completely suicidal within days, or at times even the same day.
I've also had issues with self-harm and alcohol abuse. The drinking seems to make things so much worse too. When I'm in that "high" and my thoughts are racing, drinking slowed it down. But drinking also helped me avoid the depression.
I honestly don't know what's going on with me, and I've tried calling my psychiatrist but she can't see me for two weeks. Does it sound like bipolar is a possibility? I'm so confused and so scared.
Last edited by sherlock holmes : 09-04-2011 at 09:28 AM.
Reason: removed trigger label
Yes, it could be a possibility among a few other things. It is best to speak to your psychiatrist, although I know you said she can't see you for two weeks.
Try not to be scared. Talking to your psych means you can get help and support for what you are experiencing.
Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes but when you look back, everything is different…
you once called your brain a hard drive, well say hello to the virus.
I've been doing a lot of reading on it, and I honestly have every symptom of Bipolar II, and fit the DSM-IV criteria, which is what worries me most.
It's hard to convince myself it could be something else.
What worries you about being bipolar? Because there are medications that can help control it, and you can get support and once you know for sure then you can learn ways to manage your life.
Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes but when you look back, everything is different…
you once called your brain a hard drive, well say hello to the virus.
I have bipolar and getting a diagnoses was the best thingto happen cos I got the right meds. I am on anti depressants and a mood stabiliser and can say that things are much better. Not perfect but in control.
SERENITY is my RYL mum.
SOLO is my RYL auntie.
SEFKA is my RYL daughter.
DAYS GONE BYE is my RYL sister.
JEFFERSON.MERIWETHER is my RYL son.
OLINESS is my RYL son.
As scary as this must be for you, I am glad you are reaching out for support. Bi-polar is a long term condition, but it also has medication options and support available out there. Many people with bi-polar have managed to reach a level of controll that enables pretty "normal" life to continue and I think that in reaching out for help, there is a chance you could find this right fit for you.
Do be as honest as you can with your psych. Whether the DX turns out to be bi-polar or not, you will have support through it and the chance to review your medications.
If the Human brain were so simple that we could understand it, we would be so simple that we wouldn't.
I agree with the others.
Your mood swings don't seem to last that long though - generally in bipolar disorder the highs and lows last much longer than part of a day/a day/a week. But really you need to tell your psychiatrist what's been going on and they can diagnose you. It's best to try not to diagnose yourself, but recognising that something more than depression is going on is useful!
Best of luck with your appointment. Just be honest and open so you can get the right help you need.
There are, it has been said, two types of people in the world. There are those who, when presented with a glass that is exactly half full, say: 'This glass is half full'. And then there are those who say: 'This glass is half empty'.
The world belongs, however, to those who can look at the glass and say: 'What's up with this glass? Excuse me? Excuse me? This is my glass? I don't think so. My glass was full! And it was a bigger glass!
It's weird though ... sometimes it's part of a day or a week, but there have been times when it has honestly been months. It seems to be as frequent as it is now since I quit drinking almost two months ago and have had a lot of stress in my life. :S
I have been diagnosed with bipolar years ago although it got changed to psychosis with affective symptoms (more like schizoaffective - i.e more prominent psychosis than mood), but **** knows really. Dont agree with either.
Anyhoo, explain the things bothering YOU. Ya know, instead of going in saying 'i have mania' ... explain the things causing problems in your life. Doesnt matter what diagnosis you get or dont get, as long as the problems get sorted.
The bipolar diagnosis is nothing to be afraid of. It doesn't change who you are or what you're experiencing, it just gives it a name to make it easier for people to treat you.
I agree that you should go in and explain your symptoms rather than what you think you match up to in your reading of bipolar disorder. Often we are not objective enough in our own analysis to get diagnoses correct, if that makes sense.
After a few drinks last night, I completely crashed and tried to kill myself. Thank god my boyfriend phoned the police and they took me to the hospital.
The psychiatrist who did an assessment didn't give a solid diagnosis but said it definitely could be bipolar, and changed my medication.
Oh snickers :( Huge hugs. I had a really bad night last night. The thing that threw me was I had no reason what so ever to crash&burn like that, no trigger nothing. Really scared my husbby.
Anyway, I've got Bi-polar. Took years to diagnose, and was only even suggested when I had to stay on a unit for a few weeks.
The reason it took so long to diagnose was because my moods changed hour to hour, day to day, week to week. It was only when I was under a bloody good team they noticed and diagnosed Rapid cycling Bi-polar. I'd be weary about diagnosing yourself but it does sound like RC.
Hope your a bit better today. I'm new here but if you ever want to talk? xxxx
Last edited by mindboggles : 28-05-2015 at 06:39 PM.
Thank you. Like I said, the doctor said that it could definitely be bipolar, but didn't give a solid "official" diagnosis. I start my new medication tomorrow night (I guess now technically tonight?).
Today has been rough. I've been pretty down most of the day, and found myself wanting to try again to just off myself. I'm so down I feel like I don't even deserve to live.
Everybody deserves to live Snickers. You'll feel much better when you get the level&mixture of medication right hun.x
The only Love worth Mentioning is Unconditional...
One of the only reasons I am still here is the unconditional love my Mother&Husband have for me...
The other is the unconditional love I have for my three beautiful children. I love you all very much.
Bi-polar is not catching, you don't have to go all freaky on me when you find out I have it!
I hope so. I'm not feeling suicidal today, mostly just honestly exhausted. Trying to use this time to get some studying done.
Thanks for the support, everyone.
.gif "rose")
