Hello there, I was directed to this forum, new member here. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder about a month ago after what seems a hypomaniac episode (I was running through the streets feeling like a superhero on a mission trying to find a train ticket from any of the town's many train stations... and almost got ridden over by a car).

(The history of my treatment: I had a burnout in July 2009 for work-related stress and have been in treatment for eating disorder since December - and ever since, nothing is as it was. )

I am troubled about this new diagnose (bipolar):
I was given Aripiprazole 15mg immediately when I had that episode, but had to stop taking it because it gave me terrifying panic attacks. Substituted it with a benzodiazepine and the panic stopped...

... but my moods are now changing several times a day and I feel as if I were in a constant rollercoeaster without a suitbelt never knowing where it will throw me out. My moods can turn within 10 minutes from superhero to breakdown, and the anxiety and nervousness is almost overwhelming. I would like to take an antidepressant to help me face the days, but again this might project me up into a manic mode if the diagnose is true...

What is going on? Rapid cycling? Or a wrong diagnose? Might it be something completely different? Does anybody experience the same or might give me any hint? I am desperately trying to understand something about this. Thanks, and take care

Fencer