Bipolar 2 Anyone?

[berry2000]

Recently diagnosed bipolar 2. I was wondering for others out there with this diagnosis. How does you mania/hypomania manifest? What are you symptoms. My doctor said mine is anxiety and not being able to "settle down". I'd love to hear what you all think/experience.

 

[goldenviolet]

i just wanted to hug you **

 

[spdnet75]

I choose to hug you AND Dee!

Honestly, anything can set me off, Berry. I lean much more toward Depression though. When things get tough, I have massive panic attacks and tend to hide.

It's all a little difficult, but personally, I feel better knowing that I am not alone. You're not either.

Just try to take life, one situation at a time.

Take care.

Stephen

 

[Alive again]

Recently diagnosed bipolar 2. I was wondering for others out there with this diagnosis. How does you mania/hypomania manifest? What are you symptoms. My doctor said mine is anxiety and not being able to "settle down". I'd love to hear what you all think/experience.

As with any illness there are similiarities and differences from individual to individual. My Dad, myself and my son are all bp2. We tend to have hypomanias from anxious to irritable to out and out rage. We also have some of the old I can do it all stuff, but for all three of us, prob 90% plus of the time we are/were in depression. I never have racing thoughts, but my son has. My Dad never talked about his illness until an adult( and then only admitted to the depression half), wasn't diagnosed until an adult, although he was symptomatic in his teens. I was depressed in my teens, would even sob uncontrollably as a child, but did not develop manias until after I had been treated with antidepressants for about 10 years. My son came tyo me in the second grade and said "Mom, sometimes I feel like going out to the kitchen and getting one of your big kitchen knives and stabbing myself through the heart." I do have more nervous/anxious periods, and I must admit it is one of the parts of this illness I dislike the most. Hope this helps. any further quesitons, ask away or feel free to pm me!

Blessings and prayers!

 

[berry2000]

Thanks golden violet and spdnet for the hugs and the encouragement. It is difficult and it does help to know I am not alone.

Alive again, was the same for me no real mania/hypomania atleast I don't think so until the antidepressants. Although I'm not sure but I am sure the antidperessants made it worse. But I get the angry, irritable, and the anxious, racing stuff. Just doesn't really seem like it is ever "enough" to qualify medically. My uncle was bipolar but not able to talk about, sad but he's not alive now I wish he was so I could talk to help about his experiences.

 

[rushingwind62]

I have problems with both the highs and the lows. Any kind of stress at all sends me into deep depression. I tend to sleep alot when I get down and do not take care of the house or myself. And I go into isolation and push everyone away.

On the other side, when I have problems with anxiety, I can't sit still and am constantly doing something. I also had the same problem as you and would not settle down anywhere. I have moved all over this country. Another way anxiety manifests itself is I don't sleep sometimes for days and because I get so sleep deprived it sends me into a brief psychotic episode and I lose a period of time for two or three days. That rarely happens anymore though.

The meds I am on have evened me out a lot and I have made a lot of changes in my life and behavior. It has taken me 4 years of counseling to get where I am at now. The combo of meds I am on is Abilify, Lamictal, Busbar, and trazodone. It took them three years to finally hit the right combo of meds. But Praise God!!! They finally got it!

I still have highs and lows but they are much more easily managed now ...To anyone struggling to find the right combo I say be patient and communicate with your Dr....God Bless EVERYONE....Rush

 

[walshclan]

Recently diagnosed bipolar 2. I was wondering for others out there with this diagnosis. How does you mania/hypomania manifest? What are you symptoms. My doctor said mine is anxiety and not being able to "settle down". I'd love to hear what you all think/experience.

My hypomania manifests as the need to start about 100 projects all at once. Never do finish any of them unless under duress. If working I work all hours and get promotions for starting all sorts of cool initiatives (never do finish any of them though...that's someone elses job). My mania is mostly whacked out...I think bugs are crawling all over me. Like I know they aren't but I can't convince one part of my mind that they are aren't...freaky.

Connie

 

[PrairieGurl]

Recently diagnosed bipolar 2. I was wondering for others out there with this diagnosis. How does you mania/hypomania manifest? What are you symptoms. My doctor said mine is anxiety and not being able to "settle down". I'd love to hear what you all think/experience.

My bp II was always mostly the lows. And I mean WAY down low. I truely believe I have (the docs have) found the right med cocktail for me. I can't remember feeling this level.

People have said I've always been hyper (of course not when I'm in the depths of dispair, then it's all day in bed or infront of the TV, no contact with anyone outside my home) I enjoy doing things for others and keeping busy.
I know hypomania is setting in because I end up vaccuming the ceilings Like Connie, I start a bunch of projects and commitments that I just don't carry out.

s & s Always Berry,
Wendy

 

[lemonflavor]

I may be bipolar II or NOS (Not Otherwise Specified). My hypomanias were so subtle I didn't know they were there. Then when I took Risperdal it "unmasked" the cycles. I became definitely hypomanic for 2 days, depressed for 5, back and forth. Previous to this I had periods where I was more productive but most of the time depressed and anxious.

When I first started taking Paxil a long time ago I felt really good for 2-3 days, never to return. It may have been hypomania, but to me it just felt normal. That was the only time in my whole adult life I felt normal. That still seems cruel to me, to have a taste of being normal.

Anxiety is a big problem and now and then a panic attack or days of anxiety will come to a crescendo with no rhyme or reason. I believe this may be a form of hypomania.

Right now I'm on a low dose of Zyprexa and am stable at a very depressed and anxious level. It's not the drug for me and my app't with a new doc on the 27th seems like an eternity. (I'm on a cancellation list.) We'll see what she says about diagnosis.

I'm very sure my diagnosis is Bipolar of some sort. I think my previous doc says "maybe" because he didn't believe half of what I said. I'm not making this stuff up.

Sorry for the long post. Just felt like typing.

 

[berry2000]

I can totally empathize with your post lemonflavor. I felt that way for years. I finally found a good doctor who listens to me and we are starting to make progress. I pray the same for you...a good doc...better meds that will help stabalize you at not very depressed or anxious level. Zyprexa made me feel the same as you described...it was not the right med for me either.

 

[rushingwind62]

I can epathize with both of you, lemon and berry...it took me 2 dr's as well that would allow me to have some input on my diagnoisis and medications. As he says...no one knows you better than you know yourself.

 

[walshclan]

I may be bipolar II or NOS (Not Otherwise Specified). My hypomanias were so subtle I didn't know they were there. Then when I took Risperdal it "unmasked" the cycles. I became definitely hypomanic for 2 days, depressed for 5, back and forth. Previous to this I had periods where I was more productive but most of the time depressed and anxious.

When I first started taking Paxil a long time ago I felt really good for 2-3 days, never to return. It may have been hypomania, but to me it just felt normal. That was the only time in my whole adult life I felt normal. That still seems cruel to me, to have a taste of being normal.

Anxiety is a big problem and now and then a panic attack or days of anxiety will come to a crescendo with no rhyme or reason. I believe this may be a form of hypomania.

Right now I'm on a low dose of Zyprexa and am stable at a very depressed and anxious level. It's not the drug for me and my app't with a new doc on the 27th seems like an eternity. (I'm on a cancellation list.) We'll see what she says about diagnosis.

I'm very sure my diagnosis is Bipolar of some sort. I think my previous doc says "maybe" because he didn't believe half of what I said. I'm not making this stuff up.

Sorry for the long post. Just felt like typing.

(((lemon))) I'm glad you felt like typing...I can see why you are so anxious for the 27th. You are in limbo land as a result of a unsure doc. I'd almost rather have a jerk doc than one who couldn't make a decision...dear me ....it's their job. I've been praying for a cancellation and for the new doc to be a great one. God luck

Heavenly Father we lift LemonFlavor up to you today, you know that he's been hurting and we ask your healing power upon him. We appreciate Lemon and his thoughtful comments so much in the CF that we hate to see him suffer so we are asking you Father to open up a cancellation at his pdoc's office and make his pdoc a wonderful doctor that has a gentle bedside manner and an amazing understanding of psychiatric medication and a wonderful letter writer for his disability claim. In Jesus' name we pray

Connie

 

[Alive again]

<quote>Heavenly Father we lift LemonFlavor up to you today, you know that he's been hurting and we ask your healing power upon him. We appreciate Lemon and his thoughtful comments so much in the CF that we hate to see him suffer so we are asking you Father to open up a cancellation at his pdoc's office and make his pdoc a wonderful doctor that has a gentle bedside manner and an amazing understanding of psychiatric medication and a wonderful letter writer for his disability claim. In Jesus' name we pray

Connie<quote>


I am agreeing in prayer with every single word of Connie's prayer. Lemonflavor, we do so appreciate your input here.

Laurie

 

[rushingwind62]

lemonflavor,
When you see your new dr you might ask them to add something for the anxiety and and depression. I know risperdal is an anti psychotic because I was on it. I am not sure what the zyprexa is though. Usually it takes a combination of meds to even bp's out. I am on 5 different meds. One is to help me sleep, one is a anti psychotic, and the rest are to address the anxiety, depression, and panic attacks. And they have helped to make me more stable. As a matter of fact I am more stable than I have ever been in my life, praise God! Hang in there brother...we are all praying for you....God Bless You....Rush

 

[lemonflavor]

Rush, I'm on 5 different meds too. I just didn't list them all. The combo obviously isn't working though. I have a long history with drugs so I hope the doc can get through it all during my first appointment. I have my history written down so I won't forget anything.

Thank you very much for the prayers.

 

[rushingwind62]

Rush, I'm on 5 different meds too. I just didn't list them all. The combo obviously isn't working though. I have a long history with drugs so I hope the doc can get through it all during my first appointment. I have my history written down so I won't forget anything.

Thank you very much for the prayers.

They have me on traodone for sleep....abilify for an anti psychotic...Lamictal for depression...Busbar for anxiety,,,and vistaril for anxiety and panic....I have been on these drugs for a year now and I am more stable than I have ever been. I am thinking clearly and logical with no racing thoughts. My mind actually feels at peace now! woo hoo, finally! It took me almost 5 years to get to this point. I hope your new dr will listen to you and help you as never before....God Bless You....Rush

 

[PrairieGurl]

Rush, I'm on 5 different meds too. I just didn't list them all. The combo obviously isn't working though. I have a long history with drugs so I hope the doc can get through it all during my first appointment. I have my history written down so I won't forget anything.

Thank you very much for the prayers.

Glad you wrote everything down Lemon !!! GREAT idea

s & s,
Wendy

 

[youthwalk]

Recently diagnosed bipolar 2. I was wondering for others out there with this diagnosis. How does you mania/hypomania manifest? What are you symptoms. My doctor said mine is anxiety and not being able to "settle down". I'd love to hear what you all think/experience.

I'm praying for you Berry

I'm bipolar II as well.
My doctor has also told me that I seem to have trouble settling down after an episode.
I have had one manic episode in the past which was extended and led to a period of dissociation.
I experience hypomania probably every few weeks and it is usually manifest first by bursts of energy, no appetite, no desire to sleep and then it progresses into irritability, defensiveness and I did get violent once. I get paranoid as well. I lash out verbally and frankly, I'm a pain in the rear.

I walk at late hours and danger doesn't really register to me. At the same time yet on the other hand, I get jittery and anxious...I thnk too much and come to conclusions that are farfetched and...deluded.

And right after that I'll nose dive into depression...
And the cycle continues...

 

[youthwalk]

Recently diagnosed bipolar 2. I was wondering for others out there with this diagnosis. How does you mania/hypomania manifest? What are you symptoms. My doctor said mine is anxiety and not being able to "settle down". I'd love to hear what you all think/experience.

(((lemon))) I'm glad you felt like typing...I can see why you are so anxious for the 27th. You are in limbo land as a result of a unsure doc. I'd almost rather have a jerk doc than one who couldn't make a decision...dear me ....it's their job. I've been praying for a cancellation and for the new doc to be a great one. God luck

Heavenly Father we lift LemonFlavor up to you today, you know that he's been hurting and we ask your healing power upon him. We appreciate Lemon and his thoughtful comments so much in the CF that we hate to see him suffer so we are asking you Father to open up a cancellation at his pdoc's office and make his pdoc a wonderful doctor that has a gentle bedside manner and an amazing understanding of psychiatric medication and a wonderful letter writer for his disability claim. In Jesus' name we pray

Connie

In agreement with this prayer for comfort, and supernatural provisions. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Lemonflavor:

An indecisive doc must be frustrating since we're looking to them for clarification on why we're haywire...