Maybe I don't have bipolar, but...

Hi, name's Bark. Anyway, I've been thinking about passing by here, but couldn't find the courage (or the mood).

First off, I have depression. That much I know. I got prescribed an antidepressant and next thing I know my mood's all over the map multiple times in a day. I'm on an antidepressant and mood stabilizer now (I finished an antipsychotic sample yesterday, and that dang stuff costs a fortune).

So right now, I'm wide awake (I was tired, but not now). Did dishes, read stuff that was on an exam I already wrote, and basically a little hyper, although I'm lying down nice and calm in bed. Start a conversation, though, and I can't keep up with my tongue.

So anyway. My point is hi, I think I have hypomania at times (at the very least mixed episodes), and I am asking for your indisputable permission to let me roam your section of PC with abandon. I'll probably abandon you guys for the depression forum when I'm depressed, though. I just love those guys too much! I've known them since before I went off my rocker. -sniffles-

You guys are fine with humour and sarcasm, right?

I like you!

I am currently trying to figure out if I have mo than just major depression. The depression is diagnosed but I have not been diagnosed with bipolar. What you wrote sounds a lot like how I've been lately. I just started back on an antiddepressant a few days ago and already my moods are up and down all over the place! Is this hypomania?
Anyway, hello!

Hello! I like you, too. Not just because you're a black dog, but that helps.

The first time I felt hypomanic I had no clue what it was. I felt tired... BUT AWAKE! But tired... BUT AWAKE! I literally kept saying that. If you have moments of feeling real hyper, wanting to do a million things, speaking at the speed of sound, totally distractable... you probably want to talk to your doctor. Even if it's just one of the above. Always better to be safe than sorry. Now my moods tend to last a few days, minimum half a day. Not a few hours... that was crazy.

Hi, Welcome. My husband was dx'd depressed for years before being dx'd bipolar 2. A lot of people take years before the proper dx.

Same here.......I carried the MDD diagnosis for over a decade and wondered why the hell I was unstable on antidepressants. It was a year ago tomorrow that I finally received the right diagnosis, and it explained almost everything about the way I've been for most of my life. You cannot imagine what an immense relief it was for me to know at last that I was NOT defective---that I had a brain disorder, not a weak character or a bad disposition.

I don't know whether you are bipolar or not, as I'm not a psychiatrist and can't diagnose you; however, you need to see one in order to be properly diagnosed and treated. Your internist or family medicine doctor isn't the right person to do so either---bipolar is just too complicated for a generalist to deal with.

Wishing you the best, and welcome to PC!!

I'm glad you finally got the right diagnosis. I'm seeing a psychiatrist and a clinical psychologist, and both say I have depression but have not given me formal diagnoses (unless mood disorder counts). Regarding the hypomania, it only came up after I started meds, although you could argue that I had had mixed episodes prior.

I guess now is as good a time as any to ask: I read about how people with bipolar can function on little sleep (and I have a friend like that). I slept later than usual last night, and I'm tired right now on 7.5 hours of sleep (with interruptions). Then again, I feel like I could scale a building, and now that I'm sitting up, I've woken up more. My psychiatrist says it can't be hypomania because of the sleep. I was wondering if anyone else felt similarly. I do function on relatively less sleep and I do have some sleep debt, not to mention I have a lifetime of bad sleeping habits (but I'm working on those).

I should get ready. Toodles!

Hi and welcome I have still slept while hypo, but I also use sleep aids.

us? Sarcasm? Noooooooooo.... lol

I've slept when "up" before. Maybe I'd go a couple days without it then sleep one night and repeat. Maybe I'd have several nights where I sleep only a few hours and one night or two where I sleep 7 or 8.

All the pdoc's that I have seen, 5 total, have said it's difficult to distinguish bp from depression, more so in bp2. No one wants to take (hypo) mania away. Everyone doesn't want the depression and mixed/ disphoria is usually reported by client as depression symptoms.

I'll admit the hypomania is a huge relief from the mixed mood I've been having. I'm actually a bit productive studyingwise (although I did waste what time I had today...).

Hey and welcome. Post away!

Hi!

I don't think it matters if you have any dx or a dx or a different dx. Friendly people are always welcome around here in my opinion.

Thanks for the welcomes all. Much appreciated. I'll see what havoc I can wreak later.