Looking for info

[Sue O]

Hi. I am totally confused. I have many diagnosis so I thought I knew what most are. I have been taking meds hor BPD, Panick Disorder, PTSD, and severe Depression. The meds aren't working. My therapist now says she believes I have Bi-Polar#2. I have heard of Bi-Polar but never #2. Has anyone else heard of this? She said something about never getting manic. That manic for me is a normal mood then I go into a severe depression that last for a few weeks, which I have been in for a week now. I'm wondering if anyone else has this diagnosis. I see a psych on the 25th. My therapist said something about a med called lithium which I have never heard about. I'd appreciate any info out there. Thanks Sue

[anabelleagain]

Lithium is mostly used for BP (bipolar). You can look it up to learn more about it, but it's just another med (like an SSRI is used for depression, as an example.)

Bipolar #1 does not require a depressive episode, but often has one. The manic episodes are more extreme than what is experienced in BP2, and may include psychosis (hallucinations, etc.) BP2 does not have any hallucinations or similar, and has hypomanic episodes, which are highs that are less extreme than the manic episodes in BP1. In this regard, "hypomania" could also feel/look like a "normal" mood because it occurs after a depressive episode but is not extreme mania. The thing about BP is that it is cyclical.

Here are some links that may be helpful. If you have other questions you can also PM me. :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipolar_disorder#Bipolar_I

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publi...te-index.shtml

[one lie at a time]

Bipolar II is a type of Bipolar Disorder. It features hypomanic and depressive "episodes," rather than the mania of Bipolar I. As said above, hypomania is a less severe form of mania. Functioning isn't impaired as much.

I take lithium for Bipolar II. It's a mood stabilizer that help control hypomanic/manic episodes.

xx