[RealLifeMedusa]

I'm Alex. I have just been diagnosed with bipolar 2 after ten years of misdiagnosis as GAD/depression. I definately experience pretty severe depression, which sometimes stops me from functioning well. my sleeping and eating patterns are crazy, and I've been self-medicating with drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, and sex. My manic episodes are less severe. I will spend money, call people, spend lots of time talking and being with friends really late at night, sleep less, feel really motivated and happy, want lots of sex, paint a lot, work on classes. I've never gone into gambling sprees or really unchecked energetic episodes. My psychologist and I are talking about starting mood-stabilizers or maybe a different antidepressant. I've been taking Lexapro for three years. It worked at first and helped me eat and sleep; now I'm having progressively worse symptoms. I just turned 21, by the way. Any suggestions?

[BlackPup]

Welcome to PC. I'm BP 2 as well and have mainly depression with some mild manias which are quite pleasant. The depressions are not at all nice. I hope you can find some meds which help you.

[bipolarmedstudent]

Originally Posted by RealLifeMedusa

I'm Alex. I have just been diagnosed with bipolar 2 after ten years of misdiagnosis as GAD/depression. I definately experience pretty severe depression, which sometimes stops me from functioning well. my sleeping and eating patterns are crazy, and I've been self-medicating with drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, and sex. My manic episodes are less severe. I will spend money, call people, spend lots of time talking and being with friends really late at night, sleep less, feel really motivated and happy, want lots of sex, paint a lot, work on classes. I've never gone into gambling sprees or really unchecked energetic episodes. My psychologist and I are talking about starting mood-stabilizers or maybe a different antidepressant. I've been taking Lexapro for three years. It worked at first and helped me eat and sleep; now I'm having progressively worse symptoms. I just turned 21, by the way. Any suggestions?

I would think about going off the antidepressant (it can exacerbate mania and make you cycle more rapidly), and starting lamictal. Lamictal is generally the drug of choice for BPII, especially for people who tend towards depression.

[BipolaRNurse]

Dual diagnosis of alcoholism and BP NOS here (I don't fit into either I or II, but have elements of both). I'm with bipolarmedstudent---taking an antidepressant without the balance of a mood stabilizer is a recipe for disaster in a BPer. And taking either with alcohol is a colossal cluster-mug just waiting to happen.

Sorry about your diagnosis, but you can come here anytime and share with others who know what this stinkin' illness is like. WELCOME!!!

[BuggsBunny]

BP2 here, with an added winter SAD just to make things interesting. From what you say, you sound pretty much like a lot of us. I think you'll get the support you need here. We have a pretty good community.
More hugs and Warm Fuzzies --

[Berly0384]

Hey Alex : ),
Welcome to psych central. Like you I was diagnosed bipolar in my early 20s because I've heard that's when it makes itself visible to you and healthcare professionals. I suffered from depression since age 8 but didn't have a manic episode until I was 20; therefore no one could diagnose me with bipolar until it showed itself. I was also diagnosed at 21; I'm 27 now. I really respect you for coming here for support and accepting your diagnosis. I did not accept it until recently. I wanted to believe I was not bipolar because I associated it with "crazy". That is so not true but I was sucked into the stigma of society. Anyways, so happy you're here and looking for help. The suggestions I have are to stay close to this website, take your meds as prescribed, don't be your own dr. like I was for way to long because I wanted to manipulate my meds to send me into mania based on what I read on the internet, stay away from drugs and alcohol (I am also an addict, drugs took me to my knees; self medication is very common with people with bipolar), and print out a mood tracker on DBSA's website (google DBSA and search the site for a mood tracker, they have a really good one that not only tracks moods, but meds and things like physical activity, sleep patterns etc. and work with a therapist to learn about your condition. These things have worked for me in managing this condition. I wish you all the best! : ) Much love and understanding, Berly

[moremi]

Originally Posted by RealLifeMedusa

I'm Alex. I have just been diagnosed with bipolar 2 after ten years of misdiagnosis as GAD/depression. I definately experience pretty severe depression, which sometimes stops me from functioning well. my sleeping and eating patterns are crazy, and I've been self-medicating with drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, and sex. My manic episodes are less severe. I will spend money, call people, spend lots of time talking and being with friends really late at night, sleep less, feel really motivated and happy, want lots of sex, paint a lot, work on classes. I've never gone into gambling sprees or really unchecked energetic episodes. My psychologist and I are talking about starting mood-stabilizers or maybe a different antidepressant. I've been taking Lexapro for three years. It worked at first and helped me eat and sleep; now I'm having progressively worse symptoms. I just turned 21, by the way. Any suggestions?

Are you on a stabilizer too?

[Berly0384]

PS I agree with the suggestion about a mood stabilizer. For me, I need that along with an antidepressant. Lamictal has worked for me and I hear it is a really good med for people with BP (many are on it). I suggest you go to your dr. with that request and he/she will know if it is right for you. Hang in there it takes awhile to find the right combo that works for you, trust your dr. but change if you feel he/she is not listening to you and providing the best care available to you (I've worked with bad drs. in the past, like anything there are good and bad ones). Take care of yourself first and become aware of what works for you. I am a huge advocate of the mood tracker b/c it can keep you in check of where you are at and helps your dr. treat you (bring it in with you at appts.). Hope this helps. Best wishes, Berly

[moremi]

Oh yeah mood stabilizer for sure. I think thats one of the biggest triggers for mania to be on an antidepressant without a stabilizer. It is for me, that and lack of food and sleep.