[Binti1962]

After suffering from what was called MDD for years, I had an episode of extreme rage where I was very violent and had an out of body experience.

I had had a few of these episodes over the years. I was also suffering from paranoia. After asking me some questions about energy levels, excessive spending, manic behaviors, etc., my pdoc told me he thought I was suffering from bipolar 2.

He put me on 10 mg Abilify, and I felt so much better. I have not had any rage since. And moods have been stable more or less. And no paranoia. However, I doubt I ever had bipolar disorder 2.

Since Abilify worked so well, and makes me feel normal, is it likely I have something on the bipolar spectrum, or something else? I know that a diagnosis isn't important, and that what is important is that I feel better, but I'm just wonderin'.

[Trippin2.0]

Idk, you haven't mentioned any other symptoms your pdoc noted.

I will say this though, antipsychotics are good for rage and paranoia, regardless of dx.
I remember how caaaalm I was when on risperdal. Lol it was a verry weird experience indeed.

Sorry I wasn't of any help

[Binti1962]

No, you were helpful! I never have had classic hypomanic sx, although I have had Increased energy, decreased sleep, and outrageous spending.

Thanks for your input.

[Trippin2.0]

Diagnostic criteria for bipolar

*.Bipolar II disorder.You've had at least one major depressive episode and at least one hypomanic episode (but not a fully manic or mixed episode). With bipolar II, symptoms cause distress or difficulty in some area of your life — such as relationships or work.

Citeria for a hypomanic episode
A hypomanic episode is a distinct period of elevated, expansive or irritable mood that lasts at least four days, and is different from the usual non depressed mood.

During the period of disturbed mood, three or more of the following symptoms must be present (four if the mood is only irritable)

*.Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity

*.Decreased need for sleep (for example, you feel rested after only three hours of sleep)

*.Unusual talkativeness

*.Racing thoughts

*.Distractibility

*.Increased goal-directed activity (either socially, at work or school, or sexually)

*.Doing things that have a high potential for painful consequences — for example, unrestrained buying sprees, sexual indiscretions or foolish business investments

To be considered a hypomanic episode:

*.The mood disturbance must be severe enough to cause a noticeable and uncharacteristic change in functioning.

*.The episode isn't severe enough to cause significant difficulty at work, at school or in usual social activities or relationships; to require hospitalization; or to trigger a break from reality (psychosis).

*.Symptoms do not meet the criteria for a mixed episode.

*.Symptoms are not due to the direct effects of something else such as alcohol or drug use, taking a medication, or a having a medical condition such as hyperthyroidism.

Criteria for a major depressive episode

To be diagnosed with a major depressive episode, you must have five (or more) of the following symptoms over a two-week period.

Atleast one of the symptoms is either depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure. Symptoms can be based on your own feelings or on the observations of someone else. They include:

*.Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, such as feeling sad, empty or tearful.

*.Diminished interest or feeling no pleasure in all — or almost all — activities most of the day, nearly every day.

*.Significant weight loss when not dieting, weight gain, or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day.

*.Insomnia or increased desire to sleep nearly every day

*.Either restlessness or slowed behavior that can be observed by others

*.Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day

*.Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt nearly every day

*.Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day

*.Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide, or a suicide attempt

To be considered a major depressive episode:

*.Symptoms must be severe enough to cause noticeable difficulty in day-to-day activities, such as work, school, social activities or relationships with others.

*.Symptoms are not due to the direct effects of something else, such as drug abuse, taking a medication or a having a medical condition such as hyperthyroidism.

*.Symptoms are not caused by grieving, such as after the loss of a loved one.

I guess what I'm saying with this reply is see for yourself if you meet the criteria

[Manic Trance]

When it dawned on me that I may be bipolar, I looked into it and it was such a snug fit that it was unbelievable. There are these on line tests, which seems kind of silly, but I took like all of them, and every single one was like 'dude, YOU'RE BIPOLAR!'... I couldn't believe that I hadn't seen it earlier. I don't know what your experience is, but that was mine...

[HelpMe2013]

The doctor said I'm bipolar 1 with psychosis and thought disorder

It's rough

Never give up

[IndieVisible]

Trippin2.0 pretty much said it all. To be bipolar it only takes 1 manic episode, just one. After that you can get hypomanic but your still BP1. Also, hypomanic can also be manifested by extreme irritability, anxiety, and rage. Does not have to always include elevation. In fact one can be any where in the bipolar spectrum. There are just certain criteria to meet to be classified by a specific one.

One pdoc said I was bipolar and the other BPD. In hindsight I think I have had a number of hypomanic episodes. I thought I was not BP because there was major agitation and irritability rather than elation which could happen but rarely lasted a full day.

I have achieved so much career wise but this has been done with depressive episodes also in which I want to give up my jobs and cannot be bothered with anything really. Interesting article I read on the irritable cyclothymic temperament with brief periods of elation which is often diagnosed as BPD or BP2.

I think the spectrum is pretty large. My first pdoc diagnosed me BP because in his words "the mood changes are significant because they effect his functioning." Main thing is to get the help you need.