How can u tell?

[pockleberry]

I'm just wondering how can you tell if what you've got is just deppresion with some up moods or bipolar disorder. I've never properly been diagnosed with anything really although I've been seeing Drs and psychiatrists for quite a while now. I thought I had clinical depression but recently I have been told that it is chronic depression. I'm just really confused at the moment....

Recently I've been really suicidal alot of the time I have been planning death and not wanting to live another second. But right now I am fine....nothing in my situation is different but I don't feel hopeless anymore and I don't feel as bad about myself as I usually do.

Is this normal depression or could it be undiagnosed bipolar.

I'm really sorry If I'm asking stupid questions but I don't understand how I can feel soo bad at one time but perfectly fine at another time right now I don't feel depressed at all I could almost believe that I have completly recovered but I know that sooner or later something in my mood will change and I will be back to wanting to kill myself again.

 

[lemonflavor]

The answer all of us will give you is you have to ask your doctor.

There is recurrent depression, if I got the term right, and bipolar disorder. So you need a doctor to diagnose you.

I used to think I was just regular unipolar depression with it sometimes getting worse until a drug "unmasked" the bipolar aspect of it making it more obvious. Then looking back I can see bipolar all my life.

Let your doctor know all the details you just wrote.

In any case you're probably crazy like the rest of us.

 

[vibrant]

there's a sticky that lists what bipolar is. check that out.

share your symptoms and concerns with your doctors.

 

[Alive again]

there's a sticky that lists what bipolar is. check that out.

share your symptoms and concerns with your doctors.

I was diagnosed for over 10 years with chronic nonresponsive (to meds) depression. It wasn't until after my Dad died and we learned he had been diagnoses with bp2 and too ashamed to admit it that we seriously began looking at my possibly having bp. The best thing you can do is talk to your doctor and tell him/her exactly what you just said!!! And ask what they think, also never hesitate to get a second opinion.

 

[wonderwaleye]

Dear Pockleberry

Does it really matter what name is put to your disorder?


What does matter is that you be on the right meds so this does not continue.


What your dealing with is a real life or death situation.


Get to your doctor immediately and work to get the meds that will give you relief. DO NOT WAIT OR IT CAN BE TO LATE!!


I've been there and it was a BLESSING when they locked the doors.


I turned myself in for I knew if I hadn't I wouldn't have needed a doctor!!


GOD'S WORD says: " WE SHALL NOT TAKE OUR OWN LIFE "


AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:




XEven though you can't see Him, GOD is there!O
( click on the X and move to the O ) ( then feel who is around you )

 

[pockleberry]

I was diagnosed for over 10 years with chronic nonresponsive (to meds) depression.

Did they give you anything different after you were diagnosed with bipolar because that is pretty much what they are saying to me now that meds will not help me.

Dear Pockleberry

Does it really matter what name is put to your disorder?


What does matter is that you be on the right meds so this does not continue.


What your dealing with is a real life or death situation.


Get to your doctor immediately and work to get the meds that will give you relief. DO NOT WAIT OR IT CAN BE TO LATE!!

No it doesn't matter what it's called but I wondered if maybe ppl with bipolar are treated differently to ppl diagnosed with depression that is the only reason I asked. They won't put me on different medication so I don't really know what I can do

 

[AngelRider]

best to do is speak to someone like a doctor or psychiatrist who treats for these disorders, tell them your symptoms and take it from there. They are best at this we are just sufferers of the disorder and can not help you like a doctor can in the way of getting you meds..Good luck and I am very glad you are seeking help in this matter...

 

[Hischild3]

Dear Pockleberry

Does it really matter what name is put to your disorder?


What does matter is that you be on the right meds so this does not continue.


What your dealing with is a real life or death situation.


Get to your doctor immediately and work to get the meds that will give you relief. DO NOT WAIT OR IT CAN BE TO LATE!!


I've been there and it was a BLESSING when they locked the doors.


I turned myself in for I knew if I hadn't I wouldn't have needed a doctor!!


GOD'S WORD says: " WE SHALL NOT TAKE OUR OWN LIFE "


AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:




XEven though you can't see Him, GOD is there!O
( click on the X and move to the O ) ( then feel who is around you )

Where in the bible does it say that?

 

[wonderwaleye]

Dear Pockleberry

If that's the case then you need to have things set up with the doctor to allow you into a hospital when these sudicidal thoughts come into play.


You should not be left to cope with it yourself.


Depression is a part of bipolar. Read the sticky at the top of this bipolar forum page and it will give you a better idea.


I receive Zoloft for my depression among other meds for anxiety and mania.


I don't know how many doctors you have been to see but if it's just one I would get a second opinion.


We do understand your pain all to well. This is a good forum with a lot of caring folks. Feel free to post at anytime.




ALWAYS REMEMBER:




XEven though you can't see Him, GOD is there!O
( click on the X and move to the O ) ( then feel who is around you )

 

[pockleberry]

Dear Pockleberry

If that's the case then you need to have things set up with the doctor to allow you into a hospital when these sudicidal thoughts come into play.


You should not be left to cope with it yourself.


Depression is a part of bipolar. Read the sticky at the top of this bipolar forum page and it will give you a better idea.


I receive Zoloft for my depression among other meds for anxiety and mania.


I don't know how many doctors you have been to see but if it's just one I would get a second opinion.


We do understand your pain all to well. This is a good forum with a lot of caring folks. Feel free to post at anytime.

They won't let me go into hosipital...I've been in once that is why I ended up seeing these people in the first place but when I attempted to overdose the second time they wouldn't admit me cause my attempt was not serious enough. I think they feel that becasue I am 16 and live at home that my mum can make sure I don't attempt to harm myself in that way again. I'm on prozac but it does nothing for me. I have seen loads of different doctors but I think I have to stick with the one I am seeingt at the moment as that is whats she wants me to do I don't feel like I have a choice

 

[wonderwaleye]

Where in the bible does it say that?

Dear Hischild

While I don't recall just where I read that in GOD'S WORD as I am unable to quote chapter and verse.



I hope this will suffice for the time being:




The Book of Wisdom
Chapter 1:12

" Court not death by your erring way of life, nor draw to yourselves destruction by the works of your hands. "

I would like to welcome you to this forum and if you have any problems you would like to discuss, there are many good folks here ready to help.



WE NEED ALL REMEMBER:




XEven though you can't see Him, GOD is there!O
( click on the X and move to the O ) ( then feel who is around you )

 

[Alive again]

Did they give you anything different after you were diagnosed with bipolar because that is pretty much what they are saying to me now that meds will not help me.



No it doesn't matter what it's called but I wondered if maybe ppl with bipolar are treated differently to ppl diagnosed with depression that is the only reason I asked. They won't put me on different medication so I don't really know what I can do

Yes and no. I had been on many diferent meds and even in combo with mood stabiizers in an attempt to help my depression. What we did different was to focus on the mood stabilizer and quit changing the antidepressant. It took several mood stabilizers till we found the right one. But we did and I was eventually able to stop the antidepressants as well. My diagnosis was missed due to it being BP2 which has hypomanias or not quite as high high moods. Feel free to pm me anytime, but ask you doctor about the possiblity of bp. The rapid changes in mood make it a possiblity for you. Also read the article lemonflavor had posted. aAnd do pm me at anytime!!!

Alive

 

[vibrant]

No it doesn't matter what it's called but I wondered if maybe ppl with bipolar are treated differently to ppl diagnosed with depression that is the only reason I asked. They won't put me on different medication so I don't really know what I can do

i think it does make a difference what it's called.

with depression, you can be aggressive in pulling yourself out of it because the opposite is a normal state. but with bipolar depression, you have be aware that when you come out of depression, there is a risk that you won't be "normal" but swing right into mania --there's the risk of going from one illness to another.

so i think a proper identification of what you're going through can make a tremendous impact on your treatment, how you control it, the signs you look out for, etc.

 

[wonderwaleye]

i think it does make a difference what it's called.

with depression, you can be aggressive in pulling yourself out of it because the opposite is a normal state. but with bipolar depression, you have be aware that when you come out of depression, there is a risk that you won't be "normal" but swing right into mania --there's the risk of going from one illness to another.

so i think a proper identification of what you're going through can make a tremendous impact on your treatment, how you control it, the signs you look out for, etc.

Dear Vibrant


" with depression, you can be aggressive in pulling yourself out of it because the opposite is a normal state. "


I would of given anything if that were so!!! Maybe bipolars are just lazy?




" there's the risk of going from one illness to another "


Same illness just different symptoms.



" so i think a proper identification of what you're going through can make a tremendous impact on your treatment, how you control it, the signs you look out for, etc. "

Right on the money!!!

But must be done by a DOCTOR!


I know you intentions are good but you must make sure not to give bad advise to those that are already sick.



WE NEED ALWAYS REMEMBER:




XEven though you can't see Him, GOD is there!O
( click on the X and move to the O ) ( then feel who is around you )

 

[vibrant]

I know you intentions are good but you must make sure not to give bad advise to those that are already sick.

you accuse me of giving bad advice... for the second time. for the first, you had to concede that your accusations were false. before i comment in this forum, i've done my research, having talked with my psychiatrists, read comprehensive bipolar books, gone to seminars, and talked with other bipolar folks. if you disagree, just say that you don't agree and/or ask for clarification instead of questioning my integrity in this matter. i consider the latter rude and presumptuous, making me wonder why i bother to contribute to this forum because if it's not one form of annoyance, it's another...

my post was in response to a claim that it doesn't matter if people are classified as depressed or bipolar depressed. i claim that yes, it does make a difference what kind of depression one has. if people have non-bipolar major depression, antidepressants (and other treatments) should bring them to normal. whereas in bipolar depression, antidepessants have been known to trigger people into mania -- therefore, a more delicate balance is needed when people suffer from bipolar depression. there is significance in each term.

and i didn't advocate that people ignore their doctors. you read too much into the "you"-s and projected whatever you wanted to be defensive about. all i said, and all i meant, was that identification is important in the treatment and monitoring of illness.

 

[wonderwaleye]

Dear Vibrant

WOW! That post hit me like a ROCK!!


I'm sorry, I thought when YOU were referring to "YOU"
that it meant the same as is in WEBSTER'S DICTIONARY: " THE ONE OR ONES SPOKEN TO "


Maybe it would help if you described what " YOU "
meant when you said:

" with depression, "you" can be aggressive in pulling yourself out of it


The more I read this " YOU " The more confused I get in my mind. I ask myself WHY DUMMIE DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND THE WORD
" YOU "


I guess there are certain things above my understanding and I will leave it at that.


Please forgive me for not knowing what " YOU " meant.


BUT IN THE MEAN TIME LET'S YOU AND I REMEMBER:



XEven though you can't see Him, GOD is there!O
( click on the X and move to the O ) ( then feel who is around you )

 

[angelkiss]

You should really discuss your symptoms with your doc. If you feel that you have been misdiagnosed, or you're at a stand-still, it probably wouldn't be a bad idea to go to a different doc.
When I first started seeking help, my first doc said that I had Borderline Personality Disorder. My therapist at the time, argued the matter and said that he thought I was bipolar, but my doc didn't diagnose people in the U.S. with bipolar. He believed that only people over-seas who had been through war and such could be bipolar.
Needless to say, when I found a different doc, I learned that I am indeed bipolar with borderline traits, and was diagnosed just this past Friday, that I also have PTSD. (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
I've been going to numerous doctors and therapists throughout the past several years. You have to meet certain criteria in order to get a proper diagnosis. Since so many disorders have a lot of the same symptoms, it helps to tell your therapists and docs everything from beginning to end. Leaving out a small detail can make a big difference. I know that it's sometimes uncomfortable talking about certain things that you've been through, but it's important to tell them EVERYTHING about yourself.
If your doc orders you to see a therapist, it's very important to keep those appointments the best that you can. I didn't think that seeing the therapist was very important. But, when you talk to the therapist and let them know what's going on with you, they play an important part in helping you get the proper diagnosis as well as meds that you need.