[Miswimmy1]

I was wondering if there is anyone who has been diagnosed with this? I've read that it's considered a mild form of bipolar, because the individual doesn't have severe enough depressive episodes to be labeled as major depressive disorder and doesn't reach high enough episodes to be labeled as mania. I was wondering if there is anyone who might be able to share their symptoms?

I am trying to figure out if I might have some sort of mood disorder. I've been diagnosed with ADHD and depressive disorder NOS. I get these moods where I am literally bouncing off the walls, talking a mile a minute, can't concentrate on anything, etc. I don't know if it's an ADHD thing or not. I also go through these phases where I am intensely irritated by everyone and everything around me. But I don't know if that's an ADHD thing either. I also have some days where I am on the edge of tears all day and just feel this intense sadness. I call those days "cycling days" because I ruminate on all my bad memories. I am trying to figure out if I should get evaluated for some sort of mood disorder of if these feelings are either normal or just symptoms of ADHD. Any info is welcome!

[Lillyleaf]

Make a chart! That always helps, track your mood, it really gives you insight!

Talk to your doctor about it after words

I wish you the very best!

Lillyleaf

I use a moodtracker from www.moodtracker.com to keep up with everything from moods to sleep to anxiety and it has a place to journal the day's events. its free. that might help, use it for a month or so and then print and talk to your dr about your results. it also tracks your menstrual cycle if you have those.

[jesusplay]

My second diagnosis, after an adjustment disorder with depressed mood.

Then bipolar, NOS.

[ultramar]

I'd keep a mood chart and ask your pdoc about it.

The sadness and hyperness, could also be neither ADHD nor a mild form of bipolar disorder. It's a possibility, who knows. People have these arcs of different moods, some more than others, and often it can depend on what's going on, even what's on your mind (ruminating on bad memories itself is likely to make you very sad). I would do some research on bipolar and see to what extent you experience these moods as episodes --to me 'episode' is the key, whereas 'mood swings', for example, at least for me, suggests quick and temporary changes (however intense) of mood and something that can help to differentiate bipolar from other issues.

The thing about bipolar diagnoses (and I'm not sure to what extent this applies to cyclothymia) is that it tends to necessitate (though not everyone does this) very strong meds with awful short and long term side effects. So, in this context, if what you're experiencing at times does not interfere with your life to the extent of it being worth it to take on the risks of these meds, and if they can reasonably be helped by therapy, then this needs to be taken into account. Otherwise, it can become just another label, if that makes sense.

But, again, your best bet really is to talk to your pdoc about it.

[Mental reward]

Originally Posted by Miswimmy1

I was wondering if there is anyone who has been diagnosed with this? I've read that it's considered a mild form of bipolar, because the individual doesn't have severe enough depressive episodes to be labeled as major depressive disorder and doesn't reach high enough episodes to be labeled as mania. I was wondering if there is anyone who might be able to share their symptoms?

I am trying to figure out if I might have some sort of mood disorder. I've been diagnosed with ADHD and depressive disorder NOS. I get these moods where I am literally bouncing off the walls, talking a mile a minute, can't concentrate on anything, etc. I don't know if it's an ADHD thing or not. I also go through these phases where I am intensely irritated by everyone and everything around me. But I don't know if that's an ADHD thing either. I also have some days where I am on the edge of tears all day and just feel this intense sadness. I call those days "cycling days" because I ruminate on all my bad memories. I am trying to figure out if I should get evaluated for some sort of mood disorder of if these feelings are either normal or just symptoms of ADHD. Any info is welcome!

Two and a half years ago I started taking by vanes for ADHD. Was great at first then I totally stopped sleeping. At all. I could like never 'come down'. Then I went off of it cold turkey. Had an episode--- bc of the situations I had just gone through(no need to go there the hospital said I had cyclothymia and PTSD. Went back on stimulants after seroquel, depakote, blah blah, then had a manic episode. Again. So most recent diagnosis... Bi polar 1.... Moral of the story, be careful, seek advice of multiple doctors, don't stop amed cold turkey, cyclothymia if you do have it typically turns into a full blown mood disorder.. I'm not a doctor tho. Good luck! Hope that helps

[IndieVisible]

Originally Posted by emomom

I use a moodtracker from www.moodtracker.com to keep up with everything from moods to sleep to anxiety and it has a place to journal the day's events. its free. that might help, use it for a month or so and then print and talk to your dr about your results. it also tracks your menstrual cycle if you have those.

Good share!

[henrydavidtherobot]

I've been diagnosed with it. It took me a while to realize that I was experiencing hypomania. I get incredibly black and white, irritable, impatient, mad that no one is good enough or can keep up with me, overly confident, excessively talkative, bouncing off of the walls, hyperproductive, rapid speech, insomnia, alcohol abuse, hyper sexuality, some reckless driving, and some reckless spending. I don't experience everything at once and may have left some stuff out. I have no idea why they call it a "mild" disorder because it is anything but mild. My depressions don't qualify me for bipolar I or II because I'm not (or have ever been) suicidal and I can still get out of bed and do things (90% of the time). My depressions don't bother me too much when I am around people that I like, but alone, I am incredibly tearful (often to the point where it is debilitating, hopeless, unable to enjoy things that I typically like, unable to sleep, a negative talker, self-loathing, convinced that I am hated by all and utterly hopeless. My agoraphobia and anxiety can act up in these times. I hope this helps.

[Miswimmy1]

Thanks all for the replies.

I was wondering, though, I used to be on Abilify. That's usually used to treat bipolar isn't it? I don't know what it was prescribed for. I was going through a rough time and it was to help control some of the intense panic attacks and anger that I would cycle through. I went off it when school began (so late September), because my doctor said that I was in a good enough place that I could decide whether or not I wanted to keep taking it. It's been since I went off it that I've been noticing the mood shifts and the intensity of emotions. Could this be a sign that the Abilify was working when I was taking it? Does that fact that I can notice the difference when I'm not on it mean that I have some sort of mood issue?

[venusss]

Eh (don't hate anybody), various APs are prescribed for *anything* these days. Anxiety, to "augment" AD, insomnia, many other things. So it means a little.

You went off it not so long ago. It can be "illness coming back" or it can be prolonged withdrawal. That thing is usually worse and longer then average doctor is willing to admit (maybe because most of them never went through it?). In your place I would try to wait it out a bit longer if you can do it. Depends on level of suck you can tolerate.

Ultramar made effing excellent points. Depends on what is worth it for you... only you can decide.