[Vita]

I did not seek help till I was long passed 50. My bipolar appeared in the teens, but i did not consider myself a psychic, and pushed on ever since. Quite successfully.
But the last 5-10 years I have felt so tired of life - to much work with coping, for a long time.
I have much fun, challenges that I can meet, good colleages, physically fit and so on.
Worth living for.
But untreated bipolar has taken its toll.

[Moose72]

Why not go get an evaluation?

[Anneinside]

Did you mean psychotic and not psychic? (Psychic - read minds or sees dead people) (Psychotic - has delusions and/or hallucinations).

Bipolar and sometimes anxiety, also makes me very tired. I know that when I am severely depressed I have to really work to see a point in living. So far I have managed.

[Vita]

Oh, not a native english speaker, I had a slip of my fingers. I ment a psychiatric case, psic.

What should I get an evaluation for?
I know what I feel and why.
There are many reasons to live, and differences to make, and I can. My family.
When engaged in teaching ((am a upper second teadher), arts, politics and outdoor activities, with enthusiasm, the thoughts are far back in my head. I seek engagements.
Without, the feeling comes back.
They are not an acceptable subject, I dare not discuss or mention them.
In a way it is not much

[thinker22]

I had my first major depression episode at age 20. They put me on Paxil and I had a psychotic response. I was only diagnosed with bipolar at age 29. I'm now 31 and after 2 years of searching, I'm on a meds combo that is keeping my depression much lower than it has been in years and I feel stable, even positive in the mornings. I think the others are right and you do have options if you seek treatment. I knew why I was depressed, but it didn't make it go away. Only the meds have made it go away. Maybe therapy and exercise have helped too.

Current combo:
Cymbalta: 60mg AM & PM
Geodon: 20mg AM & PM, 60mg before bed
benztropine: 1mg AM & PM
lamotrigine: 50mg PM
diazepam: 2.5mg before bed
levothyroxine: 50mcg AM (hypothyroidism)

This has worked wonders for me and I have my mood tracking scores to prove it. I take the depression and mania test on this site every day for the past couple years.

I know the thought of taking meds or talking to someone regularly about your depression or existential crisis may seem intimidating, but I'll vouch that it has been the best decision I made. The science of combating psychological pain has developed rapidly in the past 20 years. The side effects are getting more tolerable or non-existent if you're on the correct ones for your body and mind.

All this to say, I encourage you to take the risk of seeking help. Doing nothing doesn't even have the possibility of getting better. Weigh your options.

Wishing you all the best.

[Mac Murphy]

I had my first depressive episode at 19 and my first manic episode shortly thereafter. I have a rapid cycling form of bipolar that was not diagnosed until I was 39. Since then my pdocs tried several different medications until I found my current cocktail. Now I take:

Concerta 18mg AM
Liothyronine .5mcg AM
Geodon 80mx x2 PM
Lamotrigine 200mg x2 PM

Sometimes I really struggle with anxiety so I have .5mg clonazepam (Klonopin) as needed.

With this cocktail and some good therapy I have found myself doing very well and functioning much better in life than I did before.

Vita, I highly recommend that you get a proper diagnosis and find a good therapist that can help you work through some of your problems and find the joy in life that good health and good mental health can bring.

Peace,
Mac

[Vita]

I have been on Lamictal, 300 mg and Ritalin for my ADHD, and it has worked wonders for my mood, so far. This tiredness does not feel moody, more like an existential exhaustion.
Not really surprising after so many years having both ADHD and bipolar as obstacles to a normal life.
But yes - I will talk to my pdoc about it next time. Sounds odd: I feel fine, but tired of life.

[Anneinside]

What you are describing is probably not a full blow psychiatric disorder. Your first step might be to have a physical with a family physician. Then, if nothing is found and you are still in distress see a psychiatrist. As far as that evaluation goes, you tell the psychiatrist your symptoms and from there they ask questions to determine what your problem is. I encourage you to do both steps. There are several physical problems that can mimic psychiatric problems.