[xxxispillcoffeexxx]

I've been recently diagnosed as Bipolar One and I'm wondering if that covers my depression or if depression is a separate disorder? Doctor told me I was having rapid cycles.

I'd also like to meet some people who have been diagnosed and have a good understanding of Bipolar. I'm looking to learn as much as I can.

depression is a huge part of our disorder. It may be bad enough that some can attain a seperate diagnosis for it and be treated with anti depressants for it, but then again others like me are treated with anti depressants for it without having the seperate diagnosis.

It is all part of our disorder.

[xxxispillcoffeexxx]

Originally Posted by landskaperdan

depression is a huge part of our disorder. It may be bad enough that some can attain a seperate diagnosis for it and be treated with anti depressants for it, but then again others like me are treated with anti depressants for it without having the seperate diagnosis.

It is all part of our disorder.

She won't treat me with antidepressants because I get aggressive on them.

I do know a lot of mood stabalizers have an anti depressive quality to them as well. I don't know about lithium but my Lamictal sure does

[moremi]

Abilify is another that has antidepressant qualities. Good pill

[Victoria'smom]

I'm on both lamictal & celexa (AD). Depression is a huge part of BP. Many times people are mis-diagnosed as depressed instead of bipolar.

[faerie_moon_x]

Yes, as everyone says, depression is part of bipolar. You can't hae bipolar without it, actually. Otherwise it would just be Mania Disorder... or something like that. It used to be called "manic depressive disorder." But was changed several years ago to "bipolar," which is the two polar oposites. But, as you will learn here, bipolar has alot of nuances and it isn't just mania and depression but everything in between,too.

Many people with bipolar are depressed more of the time than they are manic. But not everyone with bipolar can take an antidepressant. We all have different body chemestry and different things work for different people.

[BipolaRNurse]

Statistics show that most people with bipolar disorder will experience at least three times more episodes of depression than hypomania or mania. With bipolar 2, I think the ratio of depressive-to-hypomanic episodes is something like 4:1. So depression is a HUGE issue for almost all of us.

Some BPers can't take antidepressants because the drugs switch them into hypo/mania. Others need them to keep the depression at bay but tolerate only one or two particular types---for instance, I've done very well on a low dose of Celexa, but flipped right into mania on Wellbutrin. (This is, of course, in conjunction with a mood stabilizer, an anxiolytic and an antipsychotic---I need them all to maintain my equilibrium).

Fortunately, there are almost as many drug options and combinations as there are bipolar people, and while it can take a while to find the right "medication cocktail", most of us manage our lives pretty much like everyone else.....the major difference is, we have to take pills to do it. A bipolar patient who is stable can be just as successful as anyone else in work, life, love; the diagnosis doesn't have to mean the end of one's dreams and aspirations.

Wishing you the best.

[Faraway tree]

Originally Posted by BipolaRNurse

Statistics show that most people with bipolar disorder will experience at least three times more episodes of depression than hypomania or mania. With bipolar 2, I think the ratio of depressive-to-hypomanic episodes is something like 4:1. So depression is a HUGE issue for almost all of us.

Some BPers can't take antidepressants because the drugs switch them into hypo/mania. Others need them to keep the depression at bay but tolerate only one or two particular types---for instance, I've done very well on a low dose of Celexa, but flipped right into mania on Wellbutrin. (This is, of course, in conjunction with a mood stabilizer, an anxiolytic and an antipsychotic---I need them all to maintain my equilibrium).

Fortunately, there are almost as many drug options and combinations as there are bipolar people, and while it can take a while to find the right "medication cocktail", most of us manage our lives pretty much like everyone else.....the major difference is, we have to take pills to do it. A bipolar patient who is stable can be just as successful as anyone else in work, life, love; the diagnosis doesn't have to mean the end of one's dreams and aspirations.

Wishing you the best.

Well said!

Ps. There are no stupid questions, it all learning

[BipolaRNurse]

Yes, the only stupid question is the one that's NOT asked.

[Passion222]

I'm so
Glad you asked this. I'm
New to this forum too and that was a question on my mind. Bipolar is a complex thing. Thanks for putting it out there.