Recently diagnosed Bi- Polar

Hi everyone,

So I just came from my Psychologist appointment and I just got diagnosed with Bi-polar Disorder. She is referring me back to my GP to get me on some medication to stabilise my mood swings from manic to severe depressive. I am relatively knew to this because its been such a taboo thing to talk about in my family. I was wondering if anyone could give me insight on life after being diagnosed bi-polar? How did you break it to your family? Was it hard to adjust to life and being on the medication? If anyone has severe depression and anxiety like me, when you were diagnosed did it help you fix the anxiety?

Hi there! Welcome to our close community - I'm sure you'll get the support and insight you are looking for, here.
Just a few answers to some of your questions.
I was diagnosed with depression at 22, which became a BP diagnosis in 2009 - was about 23.
Adjusting to meds takes some time, especially as they tend to make you drowsy. You need to work out what works best and when to take them.

I haven't told my family. My boyfriend knows and some friends, and thats what works for me. Feel free to chat if you want to learn more specifics!

I have had no anxiety since being on bipolar meds but that is not the case for everyone.

I'd be leary of having a gp choose your meds. They generally have no experience with psychiatric medications and if they choose the wrong ones i.e. ssris, they could worsen your condition.

Welcome to PsychCentral.

I found out in February. When I got to my car I cried & cried, because my son was diagnosed the week before, and it can run in families. My family was like, "Yeah, so? We knew that". Except for my mother who is in constant denial.
I was put on meds that helped bring me down from mania. Felt good for a little while, then crappy again. But don't despair, it can take a little while to find the right balance of meds. I just had mine adjusted, again, yesterday.

I was first diagnosed with depression, which was actually a misdiagnosis. I was put on just antidepressants by my GP which spun me into acute mania. I pay out of pocket to see a Psychiatrist, (my insurance does not cover mental health which confounds me). He specializes, and can help find the correct meds. I do have anxiety from time to time.

That's my experience. There are so many great people here on PC. I've found a ton of support & friends

Welcome Joanne!

If you get the right "cocktail" of medications (which really are best prescribed by a psychiatrist) you should be in good shape, in my view.

Please read as much as you can about what to do to help keep your good health in
tact by diet, rest, and medications. There is much that we can do ourselves in our
lifestyle that keeps the illness in good control.

Sinces stress is negative in bipolar illness, I would think about whether to tell my
parents. If they see it as taboo, they may not understand your need for medication to alleviate symptoms. In that case, you might wish to postpone discussion of it until they have adjusted to the changes in your personality that occur from proper medication and treatment.

I tried to keep my recent struggle from my family but ended up inpatient for a few days due to a mixed episode. But they have been incredibly supportive (I am lucky!). Now the key will be to keep being honest.

I was in denial about my dx for about six years until recently when things started spinning out of control again. The inpatient stay helped me start on the path to the correct meds. Vistaril is really helping with my anxiety. It keeps me even without knocking me out like klonopin or ativan. work with your doctor to get the right combination - although I do agree that a psychiatrist would be better than a GP simply because they are specialized and understand bipolar better than a GP would.

Keep coming here, you should find some answers. I also agree with researching the disorder. there are some great books out there.

I was wondering if anyone could give me insight on life after being diagnosed bi-polar? How did you break it to your family? Was it hard to adjust to life and being on the medication? If anyone has severe depression and anxiety like me, when you were diagnosed did it help you fix the anxiety?[/quote]

Life after a bi-polar diagnosis was hard. The first thing you must do is get to the point that you can admit to yourself that you are bi-polar. I broke the news to my family, all I did really was tell the truth, and admit to being on medication. The medication itself was hard to adjust to taking it everyday, especially when it gave me the side effect of blurred vision in one eye. I get severe depressive episodes, but a friend of mine told me if I reminded myself that it was due to messed up body chemistry that I'd be okay. I have not been diagnosed with anxiety, so I am afraid I can't help you there. Maybe you should visit the anxiety forum?

I have BP1 and anxiety disorder. I get anxious when I have a big decision(s) to make, a big change is taking place and being put in a unknown situation.

Hi. I too was recently diagnosed with bp ll and also have anxiety. I do find meds have tempered my anxiety and moods quite a bit. Having a diagnosis was somewhat comforting; it gave me a name for what was going on with me. It 'explained' things. I get depressed and anxious with OCD. Now I can name everything. I felt almost justified. It wasn't that easy to break it to my family, but I also found it a relief to let them know what was 'wrong' with me. I don't 'blab' it to every Tom, ****, and Harry though; just to the people close to me. I found facing what I know easier than facing the unknown. I hope all our replies are of some comfort and help to you and wish you all the best.

Hi I am recently re-diagnosed (i totally ignored the first diagnosis about 10 years ago and spent a decade flying off-the-handle & crashing). Now I have accepted the diagnosis of bp w/ anxiety disorder + ocd tendencies. I am on lithium only and it has helped even me out. I would say that I hadn't felt a sense of peace for so long that i cannot remember, and FINALLY, w/ the help of meds and acceptance i feel mainly peaceful. I still have my moments, like social situations where i feel awkward, etc...but other than than I am much better now. Psych central and the amazing group of people here have been so helpful in letting me know i am not alone and learn what i need to so i can be proactive in my treatment. I know you will find the same thing here. Cheers to you and the road ahead. (((hugs)))

Welcome!

I don't know what country you come from, but here usually psychiatrists (not psychologists) diagnose and prescribe the medications -I'm curious why you were referred to your GP instead of a psychiatrist for meds? As someone else said, I'm of the mind that psychiatrists know so much more than GP's and are the best to prescribe these types of meds, there are so many out there and it's so complicated.

As far as anxiety, I suffer from this as well. The Seroquel I take for the bipolar has ended up helping me a lot with anxiety, mostly because it's basically a gigantic sledgehammer to the head -and with a big price to pay -the side effects are terrible. So I'd only recommend it with a great deal of caution and caveats -it has helped me a lot, though, both with mania and anxiety.

Hi everyone!
Thank you all so much for sharing your experiences. It makes me feel a lot better knowing that there is a community here I can just come and chat to haha. I am also feeling a bit iffy about seeing a GP for meds, I know that a psychiatrist would have been a better route... i'll ask my GP when I see him next.
My therapist says that I live in my head and that i'm really disconnected with the world. Which is true in a sense, I just feel like I'm walking around in a dream - like looking onto the world through my eyes is like seeing everything as very glassy and hazy. It's hard to explain. I'm feel myself getting depressed again, kind of just sinking lower and lower everyday. I guess I'm just in the stage of trying to allocate the things im going through into the symptoms of bipolar to get some closure or something.. i don't know haha.

But tomorrow is my appointment so I'll see how it goes.. but thank you so much again for getting back to me, you're all so wonderful!

Hi there! Thanks for getting back to me, I was originally diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety but then as we got talking more I think she noticed that I was having really severe and reckless manic episodes and really suicidal depressive states in like the past 3 years. She just said that she will speak to my GP and I have to book an appointment to get on mood stabilisers. Thats as much as I know about what's going to happen.. i'm hoping my GP will give me more insight. I think I'll ask him to refer me to a psychiatrist to get a second option.

Hello. Diagnosed BP2 Rapid Cycle/ADHD in Feb. I agree with sassymck above....I was glad to "put a name to the face" so to speak. I've known things were "off" since I was about 15yo at earliest memory (I'm a few days shy of 45 now). My sister is BP also. For me, the "official" diagnosis moved me toward working to find a way to manage all the "stuff" that comes along with the disorder and minimize the effects/damage to my family (3 children), significant other (well, that is no longer--recently diagnosed and "divorced" shortly thereafter) and quality of life for all of us (job, finances, etc.). My family (parents, sibs) and a few (VERY few) close friends know. I chose to share it with them because I need them to support and love me through all this. I am very lucky/blessed to have them, it helps tremendously.
I highly recommend educating yourself on medication, beginning doing a mood log, and advocate strongly for yourself. Do you plan on seeing a psychiatrist as opposed to a general doc???? I think it's crucial to have expert advice.
I really get a lot of of the forums. It is a constant process of change, education, failures, successes. I am a firm believer that we can find the right "combo" to live "normal" lives with families, friends, partners that love and support us unconditionally----it's up to YOU to define your normal.
Good Luck on this never ending journey.