I have suspected I have Bipolar for about a year now. I have extreme mood swings and meet all the criteria. About 6 months ago I went to a psychiatrist and she said I don't have it because there is no change in my sleep patterns when I experience what I feel to be mania. Is this essential to a diagnosis? I am wondering if I should get a second opinion as I am still experiencing extreme symptoms. I tried Effexor recently and had about 48 hours of feeling extremely hyper, and then felt no emotion at all to the point I was ignoring my bosses phone calls because I simply did not care to answer, so I am currently not taking any medication.
I also wonder if it's possible I have borderline personality disorder. I've read that it also causes extreme mood swings and hypomania, but the bipolar criteria seem to apply to me more other than the lack of sleep.
I am not looking for a diagnosis, just wondering if anyone on here with bipolar disorder does not have problems sleeping. I don't feel that my doctor talked to me long enough to give me a proper diagnosis before simply writing me a prescription.
Thanks for taking the time to read and reply.