[gypsymama]

I have struggled with Bipolar since puberty (12), at first I raged and was violent, then would turn the rage inward and hurt myself. I gained control of myself, and have done well my whole life with only 4 complete breakdowns. The latest 2 happened within months of each other and were under circumstances that would of brought a sane person to their knees in agony.

Yet instead of receiving help and compassion, I was thrown in a psych ward and my diagnosis changed to Bipolar 1, depressive, severe with psychotic features. How does that happen? Overnight, you go from Bipolar 2 to Bipolar 1? I just don't understand it at all. Does anyone know? Just curious if anyone had a similar experience that could shed some light.

[Eloise42]

Does it really matter which type you are? I could be wrong, but is the treatment really that different? Whenever I read about the two different types I don't feel like I squarely fit into either category but I'm definitely bipolar. There is still a lot they don't know and I always just figured that my kind of bipolar is either unique or undiscovered.

In case it does matter the only logical explanations are that you were mis-diagnosed, something changed with age or it's related to recent trauma.

I am sorry about the messed-up events and crappy hospitalization, I've been there and it is just totally unfair and really sucks. I often write about it and it makes me feel better.

[The Crazy Rambler]

Hi Gypsymama

I am sorry to hear about your horrible experience! It's so hard when things happen beyond our control. How are you doing right now?

As far as being BP I or II: I still don't know if I have one or the other. I was initially diagnosed as II but in changing pdocs a couple times I found out that one of them had written down BP I. Yet, I would put myself in the BP II category since I don't suffer thru manic episodes but hypomanic ones. However, I once was severely paranoid, and officially one such episode is enough to 'qualify' for BP I. Oh well.

In effect it really doesn't matter. Every person with BP is unique in it's symptoms and each of us has to work with our pdocs and T's to find the best treatment that works for us, be it BP I or II.

I understand your bewilderment, though.

Do you have a pdoc and T? How are your relationships with them? Are they of any help to you? For me these people are the most important. Also, your pdoc can maybe shed some light on the recent circumstances for you.

Take care of yourself as best you can!!

The Crazy Rambler

[gypsymama]

I guess the treatment isn't that different, no one bothered to change my meds or anything. It's only that before I wasn't reported to local law officials as a potential threat, and now I am, when I've never committed a crime other than a speeding ticket. That's the big difference that I noticed.

[perpetuallysad]

You were reported to the police for being bipolar?

[grizmom]

I've never heard of anyone getting reported to the police just because they had bipolar before...that's odd...

I agree that I don't think there is much of a change in treatment, although if you are not on an anti-psychotic and they think you are showing psychotic features they may add one to your meds. It really depends on your symptoms. My diagnosis went from: clinical depression to cyclothymia to bipolar 1 to bipolar 2 and the final diagnosis is bipolar NOS (pdoc says that is because I have bipolar 2 but with mixed episodes and rapid-cycling, which is atypical of bipolar 2). In the end, the only difference was that they took me off of the anti-psychotics because I wasn't presenting with psychotic features.

Anyhow, best of luck to you!!

[BNLsMOM]

My diagnosis has gone from bipolar 2 to bipolar 1 depressed, severe with psychotic features, to unknown. The doctor at the partial program I am in right now thinks I might have untreated ADHD, or bipolar or both. I doubt ADHD would land me in the hospital three times in a year, but, hey, i am just the patient, right?

The point is that I am starting to believe that if I see 10 doctors, I will get 10 different opinions.

[gypsymama]

I was reported to the police as a threat when they changed my diagnosis from Bipolar 2 to 1 and I was put in a psychiatric hospital against my will. I went to a crisis center looking for help after I attempted suicide, thinking it was all voluntary, once I got behind the doors, I was told if I made any attempt to go home they would report me to the police. After being in an all white room for 36 hours, I cracked, and told the people running the facility that it was ridiculous for them to hold me against my will, well, I shouted and I can be very intimidating when angry. They said no. I called my lawyer, who said the police wouldn't arrest me because I have no prior record, and I never hurt anyone. I was strapped down and sent to the hospital, like I said, against my will. That's how you get reported to the police. I committed no crime!

[musikcrazy]

My pdoc does not give the diagnosis of Bipolar I or II. He believes that each situation is unique, and I like that. I was first diagnosed with depression, then postpartum depression, and now Bipolar Disorder. I agree with BNLsMOM that 10 pdocs will give you ten opinions. I am sorry about the hospital. I know that is scary. Hang in there and keep posting.

[Dave255]

I once told police that I was suicidal, they sent me to a regular hospital and said if I were to leave they would pick me back up. That is extremely frustrating. Feeling like your in a prison when you haven't done anything wrong.

Diagnosing mental illnesses isn't an exact science. Its not like if you break your arm an X-ray can show it. Doctors listen to symptoms and try to make a best guess. It can be challenging, especially since symptoms can be part of many different diagnosis.

[Eloise42]

Gypsymama do you by any chance happen to be well-insured? Because that was how I got stuck in a psych ward. I self-admitted but was lied to about when I would be able to leave and when they found out I had good insurance they kept me for longer than the required three days even though I was no where near suicidal or violent.

I was never restrained and i was too drugged to realize it then but a lot of the stuff that happened to me was morally and medically unethical and I wish that I had made complaints after it happened.

No medical professional can legally disclose YOUR medical information, like being bipolar, to ANYONE much less to local law enforcement without your permission. If a police office asks a nurse if you've received a tetanus shot they can't answer. I think something is really not right here.

Also, I just saw that you are in Ohio and that is where I was hospitalized so i'm wondering if it was the same or a similar area...

[questionable]

Well, some say that bipolar disorder can get worse over time. A diagnosis of bipolar type two, by the book, does not include full blown mania, psychotic symptoms or mixed states (that were not induced by medication and/or drugs), so basically type two means, no mania, no psychosis or mixed states that the doctors know about (or find severe enough to change your diagnosis and perhaps some of your treatment), depression and hypo-mania gives you bipolar type two and if you get any of those other symptoms that type two does not include, you get labeled bipolar type 1 and maybe your treatment changes, lithium, antipsychotic and no doctor suggestion of possibly being off medication a year down the line.

It happens.

[gypsymama]

Originally Posted by The Crazy Rambler

Hi Gypsymama

I am sorry to hear about your horrible experience! It's so hard when things happen beyond our control. How are you doing right now?

As far as being BP I or II: I still don't know if I have one or the other. I was initially diagnosed as II but in changing pdocs a couple times I found out that one of them had written down BP I. Yet, I would put myself in the BP II category since I don't suffer thru manic episodes but hypomanic ones. However, I once was severely paranoid, and officially one such episode is enough to 'qualify' for BP I. Oh well.

In effect it really doesn't matter. Every person with BP is unique in it's symptoms and each of us has to work with our pdocs and T's to find the best treatment that works for us, be it BP I or II.

I understand your bewilderment, though.

Do you have a pdoc and T? How are your relationships with them? Are they of any help to you? For me these people are the most important. Also, your pdoc can maybe shed some light on the recent circumstances for you.

Take care of yourself as best you can!!

The Crazy Rambler

Right now, I'm still trying to adjust to everything. I've had 2 breakdowns within months of each other due to personal circumstances I'm not ready to discuss, and I just don't have my mojo back. I don't feel like myself yet! But I'm getting there!

[Eloise42]

I had a nervous breakdown (lost twenty pounds in two weeks, three months later my hair started falling out because of the prior stress), hospitalization hell but after that pretty much everything got better.

The best thing about hitting rock bottom is after that you have no where to go but up and I for one started looking around and appreciating silly little things I always took for granted before everything was taken away from me. My friends thought I was crazy because just getting to go outside and lay on the grass gave me a thrill.

Are the fireflies out yet? I really miss the fireflies in Ohio.

[The Crazy Rambler]

Hi again Gypsymama,

I am glad you are able to be positive. I know the feeling of not being yourself, I hate it...

Well, I have to apologize for writing that being I or II doesn't make a difference. Because of your questions and some other things I had been reading, I checked with my pdoc yesterday if I was I or II and he said because of my one paranoid episode ànd the rapid cycling ànd the mixed episodes I really belong to I. I was very surprised that I was taken aback. I have still not figured out why it would effect me the way it does. So, there you go. Of course the goal of the treatment remains the same: getting stabilized. Oh well. Just thought I'd let you know.

Take care of yourself! You can always PM me if you want.

Peace,

The Crazy Rambler

[gypsymama]

Originally Posted by Eloise42

I had a nervous breakdown (lost twenty pounds in two weeks, three months later my hair started falling out because of the prior stress), hospitalization hell but after that pretty much everything got better.

The best thing about hitting rock bottom is after that you have no where to go but up and I for one started looking around and appreciating silly little things I always took for granted before everything was taken away from me. My friends thought I was crazy because just getting to go outside and lay on the grass gave me a thrill.

Are the fireflies out yet? I really miss the fireflies in Ohio.

The fireflies are out!

[gypsymama]

Originally Posted by Eloise42

Gypsymama do you by any chance happen to be well-insured? Because that was how I got stuck in a psych ward. I self-admitted but was lied to about when I would be able to leave and when they found out I had good insurance they kept me for longer than the required three days even though I was no where near suicidal or violent.

I was never restrained and i was too drugged to realize it then but a lot of the stuff that happened to me was morally and medically unethical and I wish that I had made complaints after it happened.

No medical professional can legally disclose YOUR medical information, like being bipolar, to ANYONE much less to local law enforcement without your permission. If a police office asks a nurse if you've received a tetanus shot they can't answer. I think something is really not right here.

Also, I just saw that you are in Ohio and that is where I was hospitalized so i'm wondering if it was the same or a similar area...

Nope, I have plain old Medicare. That was the big problem. No psychiatrist or psychologist in my area is accepting Medicare, even if they are, it only covers 50%. I get to change my plan in June to something better hopefully.

[Phoenix1985]

I've always had the impression from what I've read is that the only major difference is the BP2 has hypomania and BP1 mania. I've wondered the same because I was diagnosed BP2, but in the last year have had three of what my psychiatrist calls brief psychotic episodes and he wants me on anti-psychotics for at least 12 months because he's concerned it may progress into a full-blown psychotic episode. So yeah, I'm a tad confused aswell.

[The Crazy Rambler]

Originally Posted by Phoenix1985

I've always had the impression from what I've read is that the only major difference is the BP2 has hypomania and BP1 mania. I've wondered the same because I was diagnosed BP2, but in the last year have had three of what my psychiatrist calls brief psychotic episodes and he wants me on anti-psychotics for at least 12 months because he's concerned it may progress into a full-blown psychotic episode. So yeah, I'm a tad confused aswell.

Yeah, I also thought that was the difference, which it is. But it is not all of it. I asked my pdoc about it, since I thought I had BP II. He told me I have I, and has put me on abilify which is also an anti-psychotic. I have had one near anti-psychotic break. I tend to get paranoid and distrustful during my hypomanias, though.
The other things are: having mixed episodes and rapid cycling, which point to BP I.
He also told me that it is not unusual for BP II to develop into BP I. In my case it happened right after my diagnoses.
I have gone undiagnosed for 38 years, until it got out of hand with being all over the place (now I would call it a mixed state), severely suicidal and on top of that getting severe medical induced hypomania (too much anti-depressants). After that I started rapid cycling.
So, that's what I know about it.

[Dave255]

A big difference in terms of medications is Bipolar 1s tend to get more antipyschotics and at higher dosages. Which makes sense when you think about it. Bipolar 1s often get psychotic, to reduce being pyschotic you take antipyschotics.

Of course it varies from person to person, some on Bipolar 1 can get by without the antipyschotics. And what Rambler said, paranoia, racing mind is often a reason a pdoc gives antipyschotics.