I was mis-diagnosed

Hi all- about 18 months ago I was diagnosed (in Switzerland) with ADHD and co-morbid depression.

I now live back in the US and my current therapist thinks that I may be bipolar and that the Swiss diagnosis was incorrect.
She said that my previous care was 'entirely inadequate' and I believe her.
I trust this person but I am finding it difficult to cope with this sudden change.

I am on effexor and concerta and really worried about coming off effexor with its discontinuation symptoms.
I'm so exhausted with the ups and downs of all of this- AHDH I can manage- but bipolar sounds so much more serious- I just can't beleive this is my life.

I've been reading lots of documentation on bipolar- I just don't want it to be the case- words now fail me.

I was misdiagnosed with unipolar depression for years & the anti-depressants would help for about 6 weeks (throwing me into a hypo manic state so I thought they were working) & then they would quit. I'd go back into a deep depression. I was diagnosed with bipolar 1 about 6 years ago. My mother was bipolar, as well.

It took a year for the doc to get the right combo of meds for me, but they really helped & I've been mostly stable since then. They do have remarkable new meds for bipolar now so it shouldn't be so scary. there is hope.--Suzy

Hello,

Welcome to PC. I'm so glad you found us.

I have BP and a host of other dx's. I want to encourage you. It may take your Dr. a while to get just the right mix of meds for you, but once she does, your life will be so much easier.

I wish you well,

January

I know what you mean about words failing you. I have recently been diagnosed as BP and I don't believe it. It is hard to hear.
I just want to encourage you and tell you that I am fighting the diagnosis with all my might. I am not going to simply give in. Who knows, maybe the doc is wrong. Maybe they made a mistake.
Best wishes. I hope that you are able to stay balanced and not let this get you down.

Hi!

I had much the same experience as Suzy, but I was treated with anti-depressants for EIGHT years before being dx'd bipolar. Again, it took a while to get the meds right, but I've been feeling really good most of the time...I've even started school!

I don't blame you for being scared, but it will be OK...you have to be patient and persistent. (Yes, I realize those are the two hardest things for BP's to be...lol). But, you will be OK in the end. Don't stop seeking if you don't feel well the first or second time!

I wish you good luck.

DJ