Welcome lysias,
I'm new here too.
Like you, I had problems with severe depression and hypomania since I was 13 or even younger, but only received a diagnosis of Bipolar II on Thursday, June 20, two days ago.
I was diagnosed with Unipolar depression in 1984 after years of suffering, and I think I've taken every anti-depressant known to man.
I had a breakdown, severe depression, got fired from my last job because of it. I went to see my psychiatrist, and he sent me to "Day Hospital", which is an outpatient group therapy program for people with BP and Unipolar depression.
Sitting in the group day after day listening to everyone's story made me think about things that I've done. Some of the stories sounded a lot like me, even though I was supposedly "Unipolar".
My doc put me on yet another anti-depressant drug June 10, and by last Monday the 27th, I was off again on a hypomanic shopping spree, not sleeping anymore, and cursing and swearing all over the place. Lights went on and this time someone WAS home. I went to talk to my RPN and told her and my doc my entire life story.
I've been on lithium since June 30 and looking forward to getting well. Doc says once I respond to lithium he'll take me off the anti-depressants, and the 4 other drugs I'm on, cause I won't need them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lysias
Hello everyone 
I've been diagnosed with BP II for about 3 years now though I've been struggling with it as far back as my teenage years. With an added dx of CPTSD/PTSD from childhood abuse and neglect I'm becoming increasingly confused about what means what and what to do about it all. I'm taking meds, I have a therapist, I attend a support group but there's so much I haven't said or shared.
I came across a quote from Maya Angelou: "There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." I would like to share some of those stories as well as hear stories other people can tell.
Lysias |