New here & looking for help

[Boxerlvr]

Hi--
I am new to this forum, and I need some input about bipolar disorder. About a year ago, I was diagnosed with severe depression, and put on antidepressants to help with that. Since then, I have had some relief from the depression, but it is still there off and on. Recently, I have had some other symptoms that I would classify more under the manic category, but I don't know if I am truly bipolar or what is going on. I have had racing thoughts at times, I have had some difficulty sleeping, difficulty concentrating on tasks at work, I have been really irritable and I feel like I am just in general a lot more restless than usual. I am normally a pretty mellow person, even when I am not in the depths of depression. I don't feel like my current symptoms are super severe, but they are definitely there. Can these symptoms get worse if I don't go seek medical help? Is the manic side of bipolar always a lot more severe than this? Maybe some of you can shed some light on this. Thanks!

 

[zyklzy]

It might just be a reaction your having to the antideppressant or it could be a mild form of Bipolar known as Bipolar type 2. My advice is to get off the antidepressants (slowly). Either way, don't see a shrink as they'll put you on a mood-stabilizer and in 5 years time once your life's fallen to pieces label you as Bipolar. Trust me, it's not a label you want to have!

 

[LostnFound]

I STRONGLY disagree. NEVER go off your meds without supervision. I do agree that it could well be BP II. That is what I have. The mania itself is not terribly disruptive to my life, but the other effects can be. And, certainly, the depression ALWAYS is.

 

[zyklzy]

I STRONGLY disagree. NEVER go off your meds without supervision. I do agree that it could well be BP II. That is what I have. The mania itself is not terribly disruptive to my life, but the other effects can be. And, certainly, the depression ALWAYS is.

Allow me to elaborate a little. I had never had a manic episode until I was placed on Efexor 6 years ago by my psychiatrist. After this occurance she then placed me on Lithium (all the while refusing to admit I was Bipolar). 6 antidepressants, and 3 mood stabilizers later my brain chemistry's a mess. I pay for it every day with depression and/or racing thoughts. My (ex)psychiatrist meanwhile still recieves her $150,000 a year! Others may chose to place their faith in psychiatrists, I often wonder where I might be now had I not taken that path.

 

[macandcheese]

Hi--
I am new to this forum, and I need some input about bipolar disorder. About a year ago, I was diagnosed with severe depression, and put on antidepressants to help with that. Since then, I have had some relief from the depression, but it is still there off and on. Recently, I have had some other symptoms that I would classify more under the manic category, but I don't know if I am truly bipolar or what is going on. I have had racing thoughts at times, I have had some difficulty sleeping, difficulty concentrating on tasks at work, I have been really irritable and I feel like I am just in general a lot more restless than usual. I am normally a pretty mellow person, even when I am not in the depths of depression. I don't feel like my current symptoms are super severe, but they are definitely there. Can these symptoms get worse if I don't go seek medical help? Is the manic side of bipolar always a lot more severe than this? Maybe some of you can shed some light on this. Thanks!

I am having similar issues... after being put on wellbutrin awhile ago, I started getting manic at times...didn't need sleep, couldn't sit still, etc etc. They have steadily been getting worse since then, for more than a year. I am still severely depressed most of the time, despite being on the highest dose of effexor. I was put on a mood stabilizer briefly but had an allergic reaction to it. I am getting a new psych this next month and don't know what I should bring up, if anything at all...
any thoughts? what is wrong with me?

 

[zyklzy]

There's an epidemic of Bipolar Disorder nowdays which I (and many others) believe to be caused by the indiscriminate prescribing of antidepressants by G.Ps for everything from minor depression to stress, grief and anxiety disorders! For the run-down on antidepressants go to: drday.com (Dr. Lorraine Day's Personal, Official Web Site) - she's also a born-again Christian.

 

[Laurel Crowned]

I re-read the original post before I typed this just to make sure I wasn't answering a question that was never asked. I can't say if you are suffering mania or not, but if it is disrupting your life, you should talk to somebody about it. For me? My mania was a 7 on a scale of 1 to 10. After a manic episode my depressed episodes scored 10+++ on the same scale. The mania wouldn't have killed me, but the resulting depression would have.

I haven't had a manic episode since I was put on medication 7 years ago. My depressions have evolved from lasting months with suicidal thoughts all the time... to shorter episodes. I can't say that the meds have completely stopped my depression, but I do notice a difference in my life as do people who have known me for years. I can function now whereas, in the past, I couldn't function when I was depressed.

Had I not gotten my mania controlled I honestly think I'd be dead now. That is just a personal observation based on my own circumstances. Please don't think I'm telling you to get on meds for mania or you'll die. Ultimately, you need to get whatever information you need to make an informed decision as to what your next step will be. Do it prayerfully and with the input of people who love and support you.

Hope this helps.

LC

 

[Boxerlvr]

Thanks to all who have posted in response to my question. I'm not sure what I'm going to do about this, but your posts have helped shed some light on what may be going on and why. I appreciate the input! Any more thoughts you may have on this would be greatly appreciated, as I am new to the manic side of this. Thanks again!

 

[LostnFound]

I can't stress enough the value of a good Psych Eval. I just had one done through my Psychologists office.

It seems to be pretty well established that the use of anti-depressants, in Bipolar, before the use of a mood stabilizer can exacerbate the mania. It doesn't mean that the anti-depressants CREATE the mania. The anti-D simply hyper-elevates the mood into the mania that was already present to some degree. Did that make sense.

Also, keep in mind that not every Pdoc is right for every person. I have had good and bad. Right now, I am tolerating a bad one, becasue we are moving in the next few weeks. I'll do some doc shopping when we get there.

 

[fireaboss]

This whole arena of meds is so confusing. My cocktails work off and on -- I have bi-polar 2. Even when I'm somewhat controlled, I have mild depression. I read a book a few years back called "Depression Free Naturally." I'm wondering if anyone else has tried natural solutions and had any success. Also, there is a group in Canada at Truehope.com who has had good clinical trial results with a supplement called Empower Plus. It's megadoses of nutrients known to help with mood disorders. It's less expensive than meds -- they work with your Pdoc to gradually get you off your meds. The supplement made me so sleepy and there is nausea at first. I ordered a 3-month supply but can't bring myself to do it out of fear. They even call you every few days to see how you are doing. I was impressed with their program -- just scared to try it. Right now I can't afford my complete coctail anyway. Only one of my meds is $200 a month!!! So a natural solution would be awesome -- wouldn't it???? Lost my insurance because I lost my job to depression --

 

[LostnFound]

That sounds fascinating, fireaboss. I'd like to hear more about it. My cocktail works fairly well for me, but I am always open to a natural solution. Please, let us know if you try it, and how it goes for you. By the way...pump out a few babies, and you won't be NEARLY so afraid of some nausea! hehehe

 

[BPchristian]

Hey, Boxerlvr -

I'm new here, too (don't even know if I'm doing this posting thing correctly), and it sounds like what you struggle with is similar to my issue -- BPII, according to the doctor, and in my case with mixed mania (meaning we can experience both depression & mania simultaneously). Unfortunately, my episodes of mania are less of a happy emotional high, and are more filled with agitation & irritability. Sound familiar at all?

At any rate, I am perhaps more certain of the diagnosis because my father was diagnosed 6 yrs ago with the same thing (in his late 60's) and has had remarkable success taking a med called depakote -- the only reason I'm putting this off is that my husband & I are trying to have children, and the med can be damaging in early child development.

Anyhow, more than you wanted to know, right? The point is, you just might be in the right place!

Best regards,
BPChristian

 

[BPchristian]

Hey, Boxerlvr -

I'm new here, too (don't even know if I'm doing this posting thing correctly), and it sounds like what you struggle with is similar to my issue -- BPII, according to the doctor, and in my case with mixed mania (meaning we can experience both depression & mania simultaneously). Unfortunately, my episodes of mania are less of a happy emotional high, and are more filled with agitation & irritability. Sound familiar at all?

At any rate, I am perhaps more certain of the diagnosis because my father was diagnosed 6 yrs ago with the same thing (in his late 60's) and has had remarkable success taking a med called depakote -- the only reason I'm putting this off is that my husband & I are trying to have children, and the med can be damaging in early child development.

Anyhow, more than you wanted to know, right? The point is, you just might be in the right place!

Best regards,
BPChristian

 

[fireaboss]

LostnFound: That was so funny what you said about pumping out a few babies and nausea. I have had 6!!! The last one 12 years ago was the worst nausea. Maybe that's why I am so afraid of it huh??? When I tell people how many kids I have they look at me like I'm nuts -- so I just tell them I finally figured out where babies come from and I don't do that anymore! HEHEHEHE

 

[LostnFound]

ROFLLLLLLL!!!!!! I am soooooo sorry!!! I thought you were a guy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HugsHugsHugsHugsHugs

 

[fireaboss]

Lost: That's OK LOL. With an identity like "fireaboss" -- it does sound masculine. It's my screen name EVERYWHERE. I work for myself because I don't do well with authority -- hmmm -- I need to work on that one -- but it was always my dream to fire my boss and work for myself -- hence the name. I should change it to FIREDMYBOSS!

 

[LostnFound]

hehe...or you could post that little female icon! So, what do you do for a living?

 

[fireaboss]

Hi Lost! I teach group piano. It is such a gift from God -- I only work about 15-20 hours a week and I make a full-time income. Great for a bi-polar person who can only concentrate a little bit at a time! It also stresses me out because I am constantly worried about money because kids quit all the time (it's their nature to try something and then quiT!) and I always stress God won't replace them. But it always works out.

 

[LostnFound]

God is GOOD! What a good idea! I have thought about being a tutor, later on, after I get my degree.