Bipolar Type II and O.C.D.

ADHD1956 · Jun 27, 2009, 11:39 AM

Just recently, I saw a psychiatrist for the first time, and he said, based on what I had told him, that I may have Type II Bipolar instead of O.C.D. because the symptoms cross over to both diagnosis. I have done some reading on Bipolar Type II, I do not know. He was only a psychiatrist I had seen temporarily three times. I start to see a new psychiatrist in a few weeks. I had seen psychiatrist for years in California; I am currently in another state. I know I have O.C.D., but couldn't understand the doctor's insistence on Bipolar Type II; possibly I have both.

Thank you for any suggestions or ideas!

ADHD1956

thinker22 · Jun 28, 2009, 11:28 AM

Well, I just took a test that said I have OCD, but I really don't. I just don't like germs, but who loves 'em? Also, in the beginning, I thought I had bipolar type ii, but it turns out my manic periods are irritable and impulsive with insomnia, not necessarily elevated. I have hypomanic episodes where I'm silly and talkative and outgoing. Anyway, if your OCD symptoms disappear when you're feeling over the top or having insomnia, maybe that's why he thinks you're bipolar. Also, bipolar ii focuses far more on the depressive end of the spectrum. You rarely have the flip side of the coin and when you do it's only hypomanic, not full blown manic. I hope this helps some.

amaviena · Jun 30, 2009, 03:47 PM

my psych said that for a doctor to know what's really going on it could take over a year to be dx with any mood/personality disorder. 3 visits seems extreme.

ADHD1956 · Jun 30, 2009, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amaviena

my psych said that for a doctor to know what's really going on it could take over a year to be dx with any mood/personality disorder. 3 visits seems extreme.

I agree. I am not too concern about the possibility of BP-II, I have enough problems as it is.

Thank you!

amaviena · Jun 30, 2009, 05:47 PM

I really didn't mean to completely write off your physician's views, just saying diagnosing BP or any mental illness is tricky and if you have doubts, get a second opinion. BP is too dangerous to ignore.

ADHD1956 · Jul 26, 2009, 12:14 PM

Apparently I do have Bipolar II, more on the Depressive side, which I knew. I will be taking Trileptal in addition to the Prozac I have been taking these past almost 5 weeks.

thinker22 · Jul 26, 2009, 04:58 PM

Welcome to the dark side.

Seriously, we're here for you no matter what your dx.

ADHD1956 · Oct 07, 2009, 04:57 PM

I have been taking Prozac and Trileptal for awhile; as of yesterday, upped the Prozac to 60 mg and dropped the Trileptal to 900 mg. They seem to be helping along with therapy and doing more exercising three days a week. It is very apparent I do have Bipolar, so I will continue the medications and therapy and hope things will improve more in the coming months.

Peace!

Pamela Choi · Oct 08, 2009, 04:22 PM

Itoo was in the same situation, thinking that I had one disuse and not the other. I do know that bipolar has many different side effect. Not able to sit still, speaking fast, and yes some people, like myself need to stay in a routine i.e. cleaning the house, laundry, cooking. If the routine is altered that is when people or me have an episode. The bipolar with the ADHD the lack of concentration and communication is harder to deal with.

Pamela Choi · Oct 08, 2009, 05:48 PM

anytime

VickiesPath · Oct 11, 2009, 02:16 PM

AD, I was on Prozac a very long time, years actually. I only went up to 40mg at the most at any given time. But the one thing I can tell you for sure, an SSRI prescribed for bipolar II without a mood stabilizer will induce hypomania. So, every so often, depending on the nature of your illness, you'll be launched into hypomania as long as you are taking Prozac without a mood stabilizer. The depression was always terrible for me. That's why they missed the diagnosis for so long.

Tegretol is one of the mood stabilizers that doesn't cause weight gain. I was told by a pdoc that it is not one of the best as far as stability. I don't know whether to believe him or not, he wasn't one of my favorite pdocs. But that doesn't mean a lot. I just didn't like him. Tegretol did give me a problem with blood sodium and I had to give it up.

I hope all of this works out great for you.

ADHD1956 · Oct 11, 2009, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vickie in Phoenix

AD, I was on Prozac a very long time, years actually. I only went up to 40mg at the most at any given time. But the one thing I can tell you for sure, an SSRI prescribed for bipolar II without a mood stabilizer will induce hypomania. So, every so often, depending on the nature of your illness, you'll be launched into hypomania as long as you are taking Prozac without a mood stabilizer. The depression was always terrible for me. That's why they missed the diagnosis for so long.

Tegretol is one of the mood stabilizers that doesn't cause weight gain. I was told by a pdoc that it is not one of the best as far as stability. I don't know whether to believe him or not, he wasn't one of my favorite pdocs. But that doesn't mean a lot. I just didn't like him. Tegretol did give me a problem with blood sodium and I had to give it up.

I hope all of this works out great for you.

Yes Vickie it is so true, with Bipolar taking an antidepressant without a mood-stabilizer would be problematic. I was just diagnosed Bipolar a couple months ago after 8 years taking antidepressant/SSRIs for Major Depression and O.C.D., along with A.D.D. I am sure the antidepressants I was taking, including a C.N.S. and a couple of antipsychotic drugs, put me firm into Bipolar Type 2 for certain.
From my understanding, they have learned much more about Bipolar the last 5+ years. Oh well!!! S**t Happens!!! Peace to YOU Dear Friend!!!

Menu

Bipolar Type II and O.C.D.

My Support Forums