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Sep 06, 2009, 05:37 PM
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Member Since: Jul 2009
Location: Phoenix, AZ, USA
Posts: 2,779
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I've been in the "system" for nearly 25 years, initially misdiagnosed as unipolar, struggling with antidepressants that didn't work very well. Eventually, about 4-5 years ago, I was correctly diagnosed as bipolar. Some think I'm bipolar I, some think II. I don't care. I feel pretty good on what I take so I don't care what they write down.
I'm pretty sure I've been bipolar all my life. It does run in our family because we have many suicides going back three generations. Judging from what I have read and studied over the past 25 years, you sound like a rapid-cycling bipolar I. But please note that I am not a doctor or mental health professional. I know nothing about the OCD part.
One thing that I have found helpful when first talking to a doctor that I've never seen before, I usually talk about symptoms first. In fact, if you could print out your initial post above, that would suffice. After giving them a clear, complete picture of all of my symptoms, I then say something like, "Do you think I could be _________ ?" Their job is the diagnosis part. Then you can discuss the particulars, like being sensitive to meds, etc. I don't want to seem weird here, but if you give the doc the impression that you know a little something but still allow them to be the "expert", it goes a long way. I have met a lot of wonderful doctors in the past, but the one I happen to have at this time is a jerk. Sorry, but it's true.
It's always been a big decision for bipolars when it comes to taking mood stabilizers because we DO like some of the things about mania. Last time I was manic, I wallpapered my mother's entire large bathroom in three days, with no help! About the end of the second day, I thought, I sure am getting a lot of work done. Then it dawned on me that I was manic! 
The last thing I wanted to say is, after a few years of enjoying mania, I finally got tired of the extreme moods and wanted to feel even on a daily basis. I'm not unhappy that I made that decision. I like being able to depend on how I'm going to feel from day to day.
I wish you luck. Please keep us posted on your progress. 
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 Vickie
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