Anxiety vs "agitated depression"/mixed state

I know this is kind of a question for my pdoc, but I can't manage my $ well enough to see him as often as I'd like.

What's the difference between generalized anxiety and a mixed state?

Like right now (for months actually) I want to get in my car and drive away... Then I do, and I'm tempted to just drive off a cliff somewhere... That sounds liner depression, but I can't stop GOING either.

I've been getting treated for anxiety (buspar, metoprolol, and high dose scheduled xanax) but nothing seems to REALLY help. I'm pretty sure without the xanax, something bad would've happened by now... I can't take ADs because they make me VERY angry, when I'm usually not...

I was on seroquel once for about 6 months. I felt better, I could SLEEP, but it seemed to interfere with my ability to make rational decisions, if that makes sense... Like my life was in danger a few times, and I normally would've prevented the circumstances that got me there...

????

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Well... mixed states are a mix of depression and (hypo)mania. Umm. haha. It doesn't necessarily involve feeling anxious, nervous, or panicky.

A mixed state could be like... hating yourself and having loads of energy and being irritable with everyone and not staying away from people, but kicking your own butt later for everything that you said and did because you feel like you're such a waste of space and yet you just can't stay still and you don't sleep well. ((That is just ONE way.... mixed episodes can show up in lots of different ways)). It could be that you're feelin GREAT and loving life but you're exhausted all the time and just want to sleep and don't really have any interest in doing anything aside from sitting on your butt. It has features from both depression and mania.

Anxiety is well... anxiety. lol. Wow. I think I'm a bit tired right now! Just call me Cap'n Obvious today.

Like right now (for months actually) I want to get in my car and drive away... Then I do, and I'm tempted to just drive off a cliff somewhere... That sounds liner depression, but I can't stop GOING either.

There are all sorts of flavors of depression, it runs the gamut --so wanting to 'keep going' can certainly be part of depression, more specifically suicidal ideation.

It sounds like you're under treatment for anxiety (and hypertension -metropolol), but not bipolar disorder. Though it seems you're having financial issues, I really think you should talk to your pdoc (and therapist, if you have one) about these urges. Please keep yourself safe!

Thank you both for your replies. I very much appreciate the insight.

My current pdoc says I'm ADHD w GAD. He said the difference between bipolar and ADHD is that bipolar disorder is like internal seasons, whereas ADHD is generally faster mood shifts that can be tied to something external.

My SO, who knows me better than anyone on the planet, and i discussed this. He said, honey, I think you might have some seasons happening...

He's pretty much always right about what's going on with me, so I had to seriously consider his input.

Upon this consideration, I realized that I've not been entirely honest w my pdoc out of fear. Ie have not mentioned the suicidal thoughts/plans...

I am fairly certain I've been experiencing a mixed state. Does anyone besides bipolar people get those?

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I would get in to see your pdoc ASAP. If you're paying out of pocket, ask if he will take a delayed payment, that you need to see him because you're having suicidal thoughts. Be completely honest with him. It's the only way he can really help you. Your response to antidepressants is very suspect. Your anger when you take them could be a sign of AD-induced mania, which can be common in bipolar disorder. (Mania isn't always happy-go-lucky.) But only your pdoc can make that decision - people can have all sorts of reactions to different medications - but it would make me very suspicious.

As for whether or not other people get mixed states....there can be lots of different conditions that result in severe mood instability or mood mixing. To call it a "mixed state" is a term used in clarifying a bipolar mood state, much like the term "rapid cycling", though other conditions have moods that can change rapidly. But one needs the bipolar diagnosis first to technically have a "mixed state".

Semantics aside, the really important thing here is that you seem to be feeling out of control and are having thoughts of hurting yourself. Regardless of what your diagnosis is, this needs immediate attention. If you can't get in to see your doctor in a reasonable timeframe (like early next week), and your suicidal thoughts persist, then you really need to get yourself to an emergency room or psych eval center for your own safety. Of course, if things get worse over the weekend before you can even call your pdoc, get to an ER. Seriously. Don't mess with this. It just takes one little impulsive jerk of the wheel to cause a tragedy that could have been prevented.

Wow you have just described me, I didnt realise that was what a mixed state was. How long can this last? Cos for me its been going on a while.

I have had a mixed state before these meds, I dont remember how I felt much but I was very agitated, I had tons of energy but no outlet for it I just felt like I was going to explode. It was like my insides were red hot and I was frustrated because I couldnt get words out properly. I would go from crying to explosively angry within seconds.

From what i gather about mixed states.... take depression and take mania and mix and match as you will. And Supernova, a mixed state can last just as long or not as long as a depression or a (hypo)manic phase.

Useher: talk to your pdoc about things. Have your SO help you write down whatever sympatoms/cycles you go through - or even bring him in to the appointment. You have to be honest with your pdoc about what's going on in your mind and life, or they don't have all the information to make an accurate assessment, right?

"Mixed State" is a term, to the best of my knowledge, used only in the context of bipolar disorder. Since you haven't been diagnosed bipolar, I wouldn't worry about this label for the time being.

Keep in mind that depression itself can bring with it all kinds of other symptoms (aside from 'sadness', for lack of a better word) -such as agitation, insomnia, etc.

But what's important here is getting help for your suicidal ideation --wanting to drive your car over a cliff is very very concerning, and I really think you should contact your therapist and/or pdoc asap. Please get help and keep yourself safe, okay?

Again, ty for the replies, and the care you've shown me. It seems I forgot to mention that bp WAS my original dx. New pdoc is 1st to think otherwise, probably because I forget how bad I get and was afraid to be totally open w him.

sent from mt4gs - xenon hd

I am brand new here and may not know what I am talking about just yet, but I have read so much on another site (am I allowed to link?) about hypomania actually presenting in some as dysphoria and not euphoria. Thus one with depression and agitation/irritability could - at least according to what I have researched - be a "soft sign" of BP. HTH