[buttrfli42481]

I am really confused. After being dx with MDD, PTSD, panic and anxiety disorder back in Nov 2007, I was just informed that my chart says Bipolar. Yet my pdoc says it is probably more of a cyclic mood disorder. Well isn't that what bipolar is? I would like to know what my actual dx is, especially since my job relies on my experiences with MI. I have never been over the top manic, but have had some elevated moods. I am more likely to have severe depression than mania. Anyone have any comments or advice?

[BlackPup]

Wow.... that is confusing... it must be hard to be given so many names to come to terms with just to be given another....

I think the names they give us can never be exact cos we are all different and truth be told we are probably the sum of lots of conditions to differing degrees.... (I go for the idea of a spectrum of illness)

Since I go for the spectrum thing... I would put a cyclic mood disorder on the bipolar spectrum even if you don't meet the specific criteria...

What you have experienced is still what you have experienced regardless of what they call it....

Best wishes

[lotusflames]

I'm guessing mdd is manic depression which is bipolar

[sugahorse1]

Lotus- MDD is Major Depressive Disorder; doesn't include mania or hypomania.
I gave up on the titles long ago-just ensure they symptoms I'm experiencing are treateD

[lotusflames]

ahh. here MDD is manic depressive disorder.

if you want to query your dx, best speak to the pdoc

[blueoctober]

Your pdoc may be referring to cyclothymia which is on the bipolar spectrum.

[Nightside of Eden]

Originally Posted by blueoctober

Your pdoc may be referring to cyclothymia which is on the bipolar spectrum.

That was my thought as well, except that can't be right if you have major depressive episodes, as one of the requirements for Cyclothymic Disorder is the ABSENCE of major depressive episodes. The combination of MDD and hypomanic episodes would be Bipolar II.



Really think you need to ask your doc what they're talking about.

There's a ton of overlap between different psych labels, especially when you throw PTSD into the mix. Some of this is supposedly being clarified in the DSM V (will believe that when I see it, though).

Another thing to ask with labels is what adding them accomplishes. Are these elevated moods a problem? Are they interfering with your life? I regularly have times of elevated mood/hypomania and it doesn't significantly impair my functioning. Was it put there as a cautionary note due to the possibility of anti-depressants aggravating the hypomanic episodes?

Just some thoughts. You should definitely ask your doctor about this.

[unico]

I would try to talk to your doctor more about it. I am diagnosed as bipolar, but my psychiatrist doesn't want to specify a certain kind. He says that my mood cycling is the most important element and that most people don't fit neatly into type I, II, etc. I also have other diagnoses that complicate the bipolar diagnosis, like you (PTSD, anxiety, OCD, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, and recovering from anorexia nervosa). I also don't get full-blown mania, but I get hypomania and severe mixed episodes.