[Warrioress]

It's been a while since I stopped taking my meds. I just hated them and had a feeling that they do more harm than good. I tried to put myself right with the aid of religion and spirituality and I'e been successful to a great extent. I don't get depressed anymore. Actually I do, but it's not really depression. It's just the slight blueness that everyone experiences I think. I no longer have any thoughts of SI or suicide either. What I do have is occasional crazy insane nights when I can't sit still or stay quiet for more than 3 seconds! I talk and sing and dance and laugh and I simply cannot stop. Nor can I concentrate on anything. I think that might be the hypomania kicking in, but is it possible for hypomania to come without depression? I've been like this for 6 months now (more or less) whereas before I stopped my meds I switched every few days or even several times in each day. I don't mind the unusual happiness and energy though (who would?!). What bothers me is the inability to concentrate. I am 18 years old and I have not finished high school yet! Every time I try to study I find that I can't concentrate on the text in front of me enough to learn anything and it makes me angry and irritable and even depressed. And I have the problem that Moose brought up in another thread: I can't finish most of the tasks that I begin (making me feel useless). I just don't know what to do

[Charlie_J]

Originally Posted by Warrioress

I think that might be the hypomania kicking in, but is it possible for hypomania to come without depression? I've been like this for 6 months now (more or less) ....

My cycles can easily last that long. The big ones, I'm hypomanic long enough to lose around a hundred pounds in weight. Be really careful, because it gets worse, and I always, always crash right down. Please talk to your doctor about this.

[ohlala]

The inability to concentrate as well as trouble completing tasks sounds like ADD to me. It often accompanies BP.

[Warrioress]

But I thought ADD was mostly a children's thing? Or at least it starts in childhood? I had no problem in primary school. But that might be because I never needed to study in that sense. I learnt everything I needed to learn in class and I passed the exams alright.

[ohlala]

http://www.additudemag.com/search/ke...Diagnosis.html

Check this out, Adult ADD Late Diagnosis

[ItsmeTC8888]

It is very common for people with bipolar to stop taking medcation because either they feel okay and think they no longer need it, or becasue the side effects are worst than the original problem. My advise to to try new medications closely monitored by doctor. Lots of people have to try different meds before they find the right one that works with side effects they can live with. I use spiritually to help my symtom as well but that is just one tool in the tool chest. Please talk to your doctor,keep reaching out and do research about bipolar.

[AniManiac]

Originally Posted by Warrioress

But I thought ADD was mostly a children's thing? Or at least it starts in childhood? I had no problem in primary school. But that might be because I never needed to study in that sense. I learnt everything I needed to learn in class and I passed the exams alright.

You're right that an ADD/ADHD diagnosis requires childhood symptoms. I've been diagnosed with ADHD but did just fine in school as a young person - I had always figured that I hadn't learned how to study properly when I started having problems in college. Of course, now it's in question as to whether I actually have ADHD or just bipolar...

Unfortunately ADHD symptoms and bipolar symptoms overlap, so it's really hard to tell what might be going on. This would be a great topic to take up with a psychiatrist, who could help sort these things out, or a therapist. Usually a good idea to talk with those folks about the meds choices as well, but I won't give you a lecture on that.

[kindachaotic]

Hello Animanic, I am dx with add/add from early age. Did poorly in school from first grade on. Was socially immature& phobic. Teachers always said, she can learn, she just doesn't pay attention... No special Ed in my day.
Came out of high school with a 1.82 gpa, did awful on Sats. But, I did well in nursing school because it interested me.
My first 12 yrs of school bored me & I just starred out the window. But my poor grades did embarrass me but I couldn't help it.
That is the difference between add/adhd & early dx of bipolar.
Dx of bp did come later at age 36 but had symptoms since late teens.
Started having panic attacks at 18 & those are still my dx currently.
ADHD, panic disorder w/o agoraphobia, & bipolar II.
I wish you well. A pdoc needs to decide your dx & it's up to you to go from there.

[kindachaotic]

Ohlala, two of those articles you suggested, the one's about women are spot on for me.
Thanks for posting this link!

[AniManiac]

Originally Posted by kindachaotic

Hello Animanic, I am dx with add/add from early age. Did poorly in school from first grade on. Was socially immature& phobic. Teachers always said, she can learn, she just doesn't pay attention... No special Ed in my day.
Came out of high school with a 1.82 gpa, did awful on Sats. But, I did well in nursing school because it interested me.
My first 12 yrs of school bored me & I just starred out the window. But my poor grades did embarrass me but I couldn't help it.
That is the difference between add/adhd & early dx of bipolar.
Dx of bp did come later at age 36 but had symptoms since late teens.
Started having panic attacks at 18 & those are still my dx currently.
ADHD, panic disorder w/o agoraphobia, & bipolar II.
I wish you well. A pdoc needs to decide your dx & it's up to you to go from there.

Yeah, that's why I'm getting re-evaluated. After 20 years on antidepressants, someone has finally said, maybe that's not such a good idea. I weaned off the ADHD meds earlier this year, and I definitely miss the Adderall but I'm getting by OK. Well, mostly, anyway.

They dx'd depression when I was 12 and then ADHD at 22. I was a high school valedictorian with a 4.0, but things really changed in college, which is when I first had manic symptoms, and my performance was really inconsistent throughout undergrad. So now I wouldn't be surprised either way on the ADHD dx. Bipolar would explain a lot of the symptoms, but I honestly can't tell. Hopefully they'll be able to unravel it when I go in for a formal evaluation next week...