[c12c]

I have had depression and anxiety for over 20 years of my life.I have taken prozac for 4 months and celexa for close to 3 months with not being able to feel better.I noticed when i take an ssri i feel like i have a lot more adrenaline running through me and just irritated.Almost like my skin is crawling with anxiety i guess you could say.Ofcourse i only tried 2 meds but you think i would have some relief.I have since stopped any meds right now.

I started reading about people having bipolar but not having the mania and was wondering is that really common for someone to have?.I cant say that i ever really feel "normal"and always have the anxiety and depression.more so the anxiety though.Like today i was overcome with depression and just overwhelmed by everything.

Anyone else have bipolar and had those feelings when they first tried out an ssri for when they thought it was just depression?thanks

[~Christina]

Of course anything is possible and many people are first diagnosed with Depression and then down the road to have it change to Bipolar.

You didn't mention who prescribed the antidepressants was it your GP doctor or have you actually seen a psychiatrist(pdoc) ? Most GPs just do not have the skills needed to diagnose someone with Bipolar or any other mental illness to be honest.

Yes yes I know many people are treated by there GP's for depression.. But if your being treated and your not feeling better its time to be evaluated correctly.

Keep in mind "most" Pdoc are unlikely to diagnose bipolar in the first few ( or more) visits... That doesn't mean they won't prescribe you meds to hopefully help you feel better..Bipolar isn't a diagnosis you want to be saddled with and carry around unless you really do have it.

Good luck ! I hope you are able to find some answers and start feeling better soon..

Welcome to PC This is a wonderful place for information and support !

[c12c]

Hi,yes it was just a GP who prescribed them.I just told him about how i have bad anxiety and depression and was given celexa and buspar for it.I havent seen a psychiatrist since i goto a free health clinic and isnt covered.Hopefully though in the future i can see one to get a better diagnosis.I'll start reading up on the forums here but thanks for the help!

[c12c]

my last message didnt post for some reason.:/ Well my doctor is just a GP so he has prescribed celexa and buspar for anxiety.I don't feel anything different but more agitated.I never actually seen a psychiatrist but want to in the near future.I goto a free health clinic so its not covered by it.Im gonna research more on this forum and see what the dr has to say next week when i see him.thanks for the help!

[~Christina]

Your doctor should be able to refer you to a Pdoc... Doesn't matter if it's a free clinic or not they can get you to someone.. Just ask

[c12c]

I didn't even think that was possible,but will definitley ask him about it.thanks

Originally Posted by morethingswrong

Your doctor should be able to refer you to a Pdoc... Doesn't matter if it's a free clinic or not they can get you to someone.. Just ask

[~Christina]

Welcome!

[Odee]

I was treated for 'depression and anxiety' for over a year before my psychiatrist made a bipolar II diagnosis. Yes, bipolar 'manias' can be very dysphoric and be defined by intense anxiety. These particular symptoms can make a bipolar diagnosis difficult. A good way to define mania might be increased activity (including sleeplessness, anxiety, and restlessness) -- if the AD's made you feel activated, perhaps it was a reaction not unlike mania.

This is not a suggestion towards your diagnosis, this is just information confirming that yes, manias are experienced differently by everyone. Depression and anxiety is sometimes just that but sometimes more.

[c12c]

If bipolar can be symptoms of those things then i would say i have all of the above.Like you said though,its tough to figure out if its that or just depression.I have a doctors appt tomorrow morning so gonna see what he says about seeing a psychiatrist.I'm terrified to see one since i have never talked to anyone like that about my problems.I figure now is a good time since i'm done feeling like this.I'll let you know what happens tomorrow.thanks

[c12c]

So,i came back from the doctor and got 10mg propranolol and 10mg of nortriptyline along with buspar :P Forgot to ask about the psych doctor too,but happy to start on something different The propranolol seems to be calming my adrenaline so im glad for that Got another appt in 2 months so gonna see how i do on these.

[Creative1onder]

Well, my GP referred me to Psychiatrist, ( had first appointment already but was too brief to give clear diagnosis) so been meeting with a care coordinator who's assessing me and has said that she's more convinced of poss Bipolar Disorder now, not just depression as previously thought. I will have another meeting with different Psychiatrist this month when a clearer more accurate diagnosis may (hopefully)be made but I'm not completely sure how it'll go; it can take a while to assess and diagnose someone with Bipolar also known as manic depression.