[Navygrrl]

My T changed my diagnosis to Bipolar II. The pdoc diagnosed me with GAD and cyclothymia, but he didn't really spend much time with me, so I'm inclined to accept the T's diagnosis. She's spent 4 sessions asking me questions and having me answer questionnaires and really it's been frustrating because I haven't thought we'd gotten anywhere when I guess we have. I'd suspected it was Bipolar II because I know I've had major depressive episodes, but because they don't always last the minimum 2 weeks all the time, she thinks that's why the pdoc said cyclothymia. She also suspects I've been having mixed episodes, but for me, I don't really understand how that works.

I thought I had a point when I started this post, but really, I get easily distracted and hubby was watching a game show.

[dj586858]

Don't worry. I get easily distracted too. I have been diagnosed with BPII also. Sometimes I am not sure that is right but as long as the meds I am on (Wellbutrin, Lamictal and Cymbalta) keep me feeling as much like myself as possible, I am good.

[gravyyy]

cyclothymia and BP II aren't too much different so at least the doc wasn't really far off. Not sure if your T and pdoc work together or communicate but perhaps you could ask T to call and speak with you pdoc, especially if the next time you see the doc he doesn't agree with the diagnosis. Ts typically always spend more time with patients than docs do so it's not surprising that your T may have a better idea of what's going on. If they continue to not see eye-to-eye on the diagnosis, i would ask them to talk to each other. Even if they don't work in the same office or what-not your T could send a letter to the doc or call and leave a message for him to call back. My T has called my pdoc several times in the past even though they don't work in the same office. Just an idea..

[Navygrrl]

My T has tried to get a hold of my pdoc, but hasn't received a callback, but that's mainly because the pdoc has been on vacation. My next T and pdoc appointments are on the same day, so hopefully I'll have more answers then.

[lonegael]

Are mixed episodes a criteria for BII or BI? last I heard they booted me up to BI for having them

Technically mixed episodes boot us up to bp1 as there isn't a diagnostic code for bp2 mixed. I'm really bp2 mixed, but my diagnosis is bp1 mixed moderate. I never really get manic though. Definitely hypomanic, but not manic.

[perpetuallysad]

My diagnosis is BII but I always have mixed episodes, so when I am super high, I am super miserable, moving, thinking, climbing the walls, hating my skin, but I sleep about 5 hours a night because I have xanax to take to help, so since I sleep enough, it is considered bII, at least according to my pdoc. To put it this way, in the middle of my last mania/hypomania he asked me if I was enjoying the 100 projects I was working on and I honestly said that I never enjoy things, I just feel like I HAVE to do them.

[Navygrrl]

Originally Posted by perpetuallysad

To put it this way, in the middle of my last mania/hypomania he asked me if I was enjoying the 100 projects I was working on and I honestly said that I never enjoy things, I just feel like I HAVE to do them.

I totally feel like that at times.

[perpetuallysad]

Isn't it great fun? Nothing like feeling compelled to crawl around the floor and clean the baseboards with a toothbrush for hours on end...