Hello... this is my first post in this forum. I'm going to skip the pleasantries and jump right in, because otherwise I'll sit here typing for two hours.

Three separate issues going on:

(1) I was recently and suddenly pushed away by a friend who I suspect is bipolar. I think I understand why that can happen... and I think I did it to someone ELSE once, long ago... still it's been quite upsetting.

(2) Been wondering if I myself am bipolar. I have 2 questions about that:
....Has anyone had the experience of bipolar being mistaken for AD/HD and depression?
....Is it possible to be helped by typical SSRI antidepressants and still be bipolar?

(3) Trying to find a new psych, mainly because I am increasingly unwilling and/or unable to drive 15 miles to the worst part of town to see the old one. It took me weeks to read the provider list I downloaded... it took me weeks to finally start CALLING places... the usual red tape, everyone goes through it, but BOY, it's sure not helpful to the sick person seeking help, is it! >:-p

Thank you for reading. Comments much appreciated. I'm kind of in an agitated state... annoyed with my friend, annoyed with medical red tape and annoyed with myself.

often I'm pretty useless apart from giving some attention...



hi

Originally Posted by dubblemonkey

often I'm pretty useless apart from giving some attention...



hi

Hi. Useless? No... thanks for the human contact!

[sassymck]

Hi there friend. One thing I've heard is that SSRI's aggravate bipolar by making one hypomanic. I'm new to bipolar so I don't even know if I'm using the right terminology here. Pardon me if I'm not, but I know they can make you all the more 'manic'. They make me very anxious--panicky, but they can do that to anyone, although for me it's to the extreme. Now I think they're not so bad if coupled with a mood stabilizer but not on their own. I could see the ADHD being a misdiagnosis for bipolar, but that's just personal opinion. Read some posts and some info; get a second opinion from another pdoc maybe. All the best.

Originally Posted by sassymck

Hi there friend. One thing I've heard is that SSRI's aggravate bipolar by making one hypomanic. I'm new to bipolar so I don't even know if I'm using the right terminology here. [snip]

Thank you... helpful. I Googled some stuff and found material that gave me new insight. I will be sure to read the resources here on PC too.

[Clinte89]

I would say def get a new pdoc or go to a couple to see what your dx could be. Different pdocs treat things differently. I have heard it is possible to be dx'ed adhd and really be bipolar so yes it is possible. Sorry your friend pushed you away. Wishing you the best of luck.

[Rose76]

Over the years, I've seen my diagnosis go back and forth. Some pdocs have said they strongly felt I might be bipolar. Some said they didn't think that. Now, I kind of believe that many doctors sort of want you to pick the diagnosis and then tell them symptoms that support whatever you pick. I know that sounds odd, but I really believe it's true for those whose symptoms are not real clear cut.

Regarding the meds, I think it's entirely possible to be helped by SSRI's and still have any one of a number of other diagnoses, including bipolar disorder. My experience has led me to believe that there is no predicting what med will, or will not, help anyone. It's basically all trial-and-error.

[Odee]

ADHD and Depression are extremely common misdiagnosis for bipolar, either by themsevles or together. It's almost not fair to say it's a misdiagnosis rather than a piece of the puzzle considering that the definition of bipolar includes periods of depression and symptoms much like ADHD. Bipolar symptoms can also mirror other disorders like anxiety disorders and ADHD, though it's also possible to say that these disorders are comorbid.

In fact, bipolar symptoms over lap so often with other disorders that it can take years (apparently averaging 10 for BP2) for the patient to receive a correct diagnosis. Crazy.

Antidepressants are generally considered rather toxic for people diagnosed with bipolar because it can spurn their cycling, destabilize them, and send them into mania. However, many BP folk who lie predominantly in depression often benefit from a mood stabilizer along with an AD. I have heard that a 'soft' sign of bipolar is failed trails of antidepressants or frequent 'poop-out', as in an AD can work for a matter of weeks, months, maybe a year before it stops working like the rest.

Thank you... poop-out is about right. Works for a while, then less and less.

Interesting about some docs almost wanting you to pick your diagnosis. It's hard to do without the vocabulary though. What do the terms really mean anyway? What does "racing thoughts" really mean, for example... what they call racing thoughts might be what I call having a ton of interesting ideas! Or what they call "feeling as if driven by a motor" might be what I call being really focused and getting a whole lot of work done.... Thank you again to all for the support.

[hamster-bamster]

I do not get racing thoughts and I think that you might not, either, if you wonder what the term means. People who get them do recognize the term. They relate to it. If you do not relate to it, perhaps you do not have them, but you can meet the criteria for bp without having every single symptom.

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

I do not get racing thoughts and I think that you might not, either, if you wonder what the term means.

Just read someone else's description of it and I think you're right... Thank you.

[Rose76]

I'm never quite sure what "racing thoughts" actually means. Sometimes I get all caught up in my daydreams and focused on endless thinking about memories. It seems a bit abnormal, but I don't know if that is what they mean. Sometimes it's like I am talking to myself and just can't stop. Like I'll be watching TV and keep losing track of the TV program because of my mental preoccupations. I'm not sure what that is.

Slump, I hope you found a new psych. Is that a therapist, or a doctor?