Hi, I am new to the forum because my psychiatrist mentioned that she suspected I might have bipolar II or cyclothymia. However, I was not initially diagnosed as bipolar since my primary reason for seeing a psychiatrist was to manage my OCD. I mean, I’ve had mood swings over the years and irritability, but nothing I would have considered a full blown manic episode. It wasn’t until I began to take an antidepressant that I experienced hypomanic symptoms, and that’s when she mentioned that I may consider adding a mood stabilizer. Has that been most people’s experience, or did you already know based on your personality that you had bipolar? I’m just wondering because I know antidepressants can cause mania, and I’m apparently very sensitive to meds since I get relief from my OCD at only 25mg of Zoloft, which is less than the recommended starting dose for adults. It’s just hard to stay on the Zoloft, though, because of the hypomania it causes (excess energy, more confrontational, irritable, higher sex drive, eating more, etc.). The only bipolar symptoms I had prior to starting Zoloft were irritability and mood swings (giddy sometimes and depressed at others), but nothing that I would have considered severe shifts in mood. Can anyone give me their experience?

Thanks,

Andrew