[H20 Mom]

I was diagnosed with anxiety-driven Bipolar 2 disorder about four years ago after having been treated for anxiety/depression and PTSD for about ten years. I didn't believe my doctor at first because I didn't feel like I had big mood swings, and I definitely don't have the manic symptoms that some of you have to deal with. Instead I'm anxious almost all the time and tired nearly all the time. Only two to three times have I been able to stay awake for 24 hours, while trying to get my sleep schedule back to normal.

I think if I went back to high school days, though, I probably had bigger mood swings. My older sister thinks I did. It wasn't until I was 21 that I started to have bad insomnia issues, though, and sleep problems.

Being put on Lithium by that doctor, though, made a huge difference for me. So I haven't argued with him. Not sure that I care what it's called as long as I have a doctor who knows how to help me, but I am still curious if there's anyone out there who has symptoms more like mine (primarily anxiety and fatigue.)

My family didn't believe the bipolar diagnosis, either, because I don't really have a temper.

[Anneinside]

The bipolar diagnosis is based on having hypo/mania. So, if you don't have hypomania or mania then you don't have bipolar. Having a temper is not a criteria for bipolar although many people have it. I have bipolar I and have no problem with temper control. Although I sometimes get irritable when hypo/manic, I have never acted on it.

On staying awake, if you have hypo/mania you don't have to try to stay up, it is easy and you aren't tired the next day and have nothing to do with getting your sleep schedule back to normal.

Personally, no, but what you describe sounds a fair bit like my BF's symptoms. Depression, anxiety and tired a lot. For him that usually takes the form of sleeping enormous amounts. And not being "up to" doing things. Any insomnia seems related to periods of great stress (which is true for a lot of people of course). He is dx'd with depression and anxiety, not BP, incidently.)

Recently he's been put on a new AD (ADs in the past have not had this effect). Still a lot of sleeping, but up almost all night (usually 4-5am, once, 8:30 am). Hmmm. Thing is, behavior is not manic-y at all. There is another med in the mix that I suspect is the actual cause. Anyway! Will be reporting to psych. (He's never been on a mood stabilizer. He's consistently a low energy guy and always has been [asked his dad]). Even with this info, and even if she tries a mood stabilizer, I don't think she would change the dx. I do recall her saying that they can have good effect sometimes on depression, even w/o BP.

Which somehow brings up the question. Have you ever been just on an AD? (Suspecting during that 10 year span??) And if so, that didn't make you manic-y? That would be rather odd (given the BP dx), but like you say, the lithium is working well, so it doesn't much matter what it is called. Personally, I'm not one to put much diagnostic stock in teen mood swings, only because they are so common and the great majority are not being caused by BP. Even for myself, who definitely did turn out to have BP, I don't "count" those years for the simple fact that I cannot be sure BP was causing it. Even though a bunch of the behavior sure looks questionable upon reflection(!) But that's me needing more substantive evidence and being able to rule out other factors to have any confidence in a conclusion.

(Sorry, had to giggle a bit at 'only once or twice being able to stay awake 24 hours...' It's one of my "superpowers" I can do it no problem even when not hypo. But it can cause trouble triggering it, so I try not to. Anyway, just an aside.)

[blossom12]

There have been many times when I was not having hypomanic periods that I would have extreme irritabiity/anxiety then depression. I had a recent bout with it and the doc called it mixed states and changed the meds. I have found when my meds are doing their thing, I am not having a lot of irritability like I used to.
Pdocs do say, and it has been true for me, that sometimes adding an AD to mood stabilizers makes me anxious, but I would much rather deal with anxiety than deep depression.

[H20 Mom]

My doctor said that with anxiety-driven bipolar, that instead of mania you have periods of intense anxiety. Also, when I read about bipolar 2, it sounds more like me than bipolar. This all makes me think that a diagnosis of "bipolar" covers a wider umbrella than some think.

I have been on an AD alone and it didn't seem to help. It's possibly I had some hypomania back then, but since that was over 10 years ago, I don't really know. My biggest issue back then was just trying to survive my ex with his bad temper and making sure things were okay for my son, who was still very young.

[cocoabeans]

I know I said I was leaving the forum but, I lurk and feel up to replying to this one with a question.

During those periods of intense anxiety, how's your mood? I get periods of intense anxiety where I'm euphoric as hell. Which really shouldn't make sense! Anxiety and panic isn't supposed to feel good. Anxiety causes a ton of people's depression even. Guh. My moods are a mess.

As for the sleep thing, from what I understand especially with hypomania it can be relative to your normal requirement. For example, some people only need about 6 hours per night while others really do need 9 or 10 so, say you're someone who needs 10 and you start sleeping only 5 or 6 and feeling good, that's still 4 to 5 hours less than normal thus, a significant decrease in your need to sleep despite the fact that you're within or close to "normal" range. Make sense?

[H20 Mom]

Cocobean,
Thanks, that does make sense! I often wonder if, because I've also been diagnosed with generalized anxiety, chronic fatigue, and PTSD that when I have hypomania it just wouldn't be as obvious. I really didn't believe my doctor until I read up some more on it. Thankfully this message board seems very helpful, even if everyone's symptoms aren't all the same. When I've gone to a few other anxiety or PTSD boards, they're just not as active and helpful to me. I'm very glad I found this board the other day.

I do have a problem with, after going somewhere new or spending time with new friends, not being able to fall asleep because my mind is just working too fast. Then I usually need more sleep a day or two later.

[AniManiac]

I get periodic extreme anxiety due to the combination of stress and depression. It has been totally separate from hypomania.

[H20 Mom]

Originally Posted by AniManiac

I get periodic extreme anxiety due to the combination of stress and depression. It has been totally separate from hypomania.

AniManiac,
Have you found anything that helps with the anxiety?

[Lana7]

Hi I'm new to this forum. I find it very informative thank you everyone. I came here to find answers. I found some. My younger sister has BP2 a couple years now. Recent weeks she had bouts of hypomania, depressed moods, eradicate behavior so meds were changed since last night to Geodon. HER BEHAVIOR GOT WORSE. She's become irritable, Loud! Anxious. I am understanding n gentle with her but I feel helpless. All I can do is remain calm as I encourage her to hang in there. All these things will pass. But she continues to be jittery & loud. She cant concentrate on any one activity not even walking or exercise or singing which she loves. What else can I do for her?