I've been diagnosed with Bipolar and I self harm (or at least I'm trying not to any more)
But like all diagnoses I went to a new psych and she's unsure as to whether Bipolar is the right one for me. Either way I did take Lithium for some time and that seemed to help stabilize my moods which in turn helped lessen my urges to hurt myself.
Sorry I can't remember what my point was again. I guess just to stick my head in and say that yes I do? lol.
I have been diagnosed with Bipolar, and I have been self-harming for about eight years. I was diagnosed with bipolar about..6 years ago? I've been on Lithium as well, but am now on Abilify. I think those were the only two meds we've tried specifically for Bipolarity.
my doctor is currently assesing me for being bi-polar... im on a mood stableiser called carbmazipine (tegretol) and ive been self harming since i was 12/13... im now 18 and its only now there looking into it...
apparently the criteria for being bi-polar includes being over 18 :S
Each tear drop falls with sorrow, hoping and praying for another tomorrow!
You have to be over 18? My psychiatrist back then diagnosed me when I was thirteen. Turns out he was (surprisingly) right, because I'm 19 now and this diagnosis has been confirmed many times. I think they wait until 18 to rule out hormonal changes, but I guess sometimes it's obvious what it is? Don't really know. Sorry, just rambled.
I have Bipolar as part of my diagnosis and am a self harmer so yes.
Bipolar shouldn't be diagnosed till the patient is 18 because it's around that age that the chemical processes in your brain have settled at what they will stay as for the rest of your life, if that makes sense.
I was diagnosed with Rapid Cycling Bipolar in the summer. My doctor put me on Lithium and Divalproex, which seems to be helping. I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one dealing with this :).
I was diagnosed at 15 and though I do see the reasoning behind it being post18, I am happy that I got diagnosed then so I could get treated appropriately. It has been mentioned that I am rapid cycling, I am on olanzepine and lamotragine which seem to be working as I haven't been ill for a bit.
Last edited by Droplet : 05-12-2008 at 12:09 AM.
Reason: Clarification
The Mole was bewitched, entranced, fascinated. By the side of the river he trotted as one trots, when very small, by the side of a man who holds one spell-bound by exciting stories; and when tired at last, he sat on the bank, while the river still chattered on to him, a babbling procession of the best stories in the world, sent from the heart of the earth to be told at last to the insatiable sea.
Wind in the Willows.
I was diagnosed with bipolar rapid cycling with 16 and I found it quite difficult dealing with it. One day you are really happy, do your homework and participate in class, so everybody thinks you're well again, but the next day you're down in depression again and lost all support.
I was put on carbamazepine and it didn't help at all in my opinion.
sorry I can't tell you how to deal with it, because I didn't truly manage to deal with it.
however, I have got a different diagnosis now, so it might be due to that.
I was diagnosed bi-polar this year and have been SH for 12 yrs now (I'm 26). I also have rapid cycling, I know they try not to diagnose it too young as it can take a while, and with mental illnesses it is hard to also bi-polar isn't a light diagnosis, none of them are of course, but it would be harder for someone under 18. I'm glad your meds seem to be helping you. xx
