Bipolar 3

Well, you can't blame everything on your bipolar, and yes, you do need to sort your (stuff) out. We all do. Each and every one of us. The illness doesn't give us permission to be a-holes. HOWEVER---it's so hard when you're newly diagnosed to be able to separate what's you from what's your disease, and the people around you need to understand that you really aren't trying to piss them off.

What you need to be able to do is educate, and the only way to educate them is to know what you're dealing with. That's where your doctor and to some extent, your friends here at Psych Central can help. You can also research the condition online, although you have to be careful where you get your information; WebMD and MayoClinic are reputable sites, and there's Psych Education that's run by a nationally known expert on bipolar disorder, Dr. James Phelps. (He actually works in the same clinic as my pdoc!!)

Yes, you do have a mental illness, and it IS real. No one would choose it, but it doesn't have to mean the end of life as you know it. Wishing you well.

As I only started new meds a few months ago, it's been really hard adjusting. I was a mess, I couldn't do or organize anything. I think that was what I was getting at as my mum said you can't blame it on bipolar. But that was definitely what it was and starting the new meds knocked me for six. I'm adjusting better now but still don't think these are the right ones for me. I'm no way giving up. I'll keep trying different ones til I find one that works. As we all do major stress in my life ATM and it's overwhelming. I will get on to those websites for sure. I'm definitely not an a.hole, yes I get grumpy and irritable but I do apologize for it. I like to help people if I can that makes me feel better.

Check out this site too:

DBSA National Office Events - Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

Will do thank you everyone for all your help and sites for me to look at

I've read that borderline personality disorder has very rapid, short-lived and daily mood shifts. So borderline can seem like ultra-rapid cycling.
But they really don't have an classic mania symptoms... Not longterm anyway.

I have Bipolar 264...But I slept at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

There are new definitions in DSM V that are like on the lower end of the spectrum. I think I fit there somewhere. AD induced hypomania, switched mania, rapid cycling. I can't remember all the details.

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It's crazy!! My Pdoc gave me a letter today saying I am being treated for my illness at the Adult Mental Health Outpatients. So I'm happy with that. I only ever say I have bipolar , most people don't know what we all know how complicated it all is! I have done research but no where near enough yet.

They overlap a lot! Ive been dxd with both.

BTW -- in case no one answered your question:

DSM = Diagnostic Statistical Manual. It the bible on psychological disorders/diseases used by most psychiatrist/psychologist. It was recently reorganized and it is updated every so often to add/remove/revise current understanding of mental disorders.

Thanks heaps, is there a website that you can go on to look at this?

Google and explore. That's how I find the most about my illnesses and stuff. I just go exploring.

Also, it's easy to confuse rapid-cycling with mixed state bipolar.

Have been googling heaps ! Was just specifically looking at DSM, I googled and got bamboozled ! Lol. Also googled BPD I match all the symptoms apart from hurting myself. I'm so confused and so messed up my stomach is in knots this morning.

An Dr can assess for BPD. I wouldn't worry about it. A personality disorder is very different from a mood disorder. Trust your Dr on your diagnosis and follow your treatment plan!

I have an appointment next tues. I've been on seroquel and SSRI's together for 3 months now, my partner and mum think I'm getting worse and not better. Pdoc has said bipolar. I go through a public hospital I just found out my Pdoc is on long service leave until Jan 2015! A new PDoc I know they have my file, but I'm all over the place today there are so many different names, types of mental illness I'm overwhelmed and scared.,

Seriously....just breathe. It will be ok.

Our 14 year old daughter was diagnosed with what sounds like the same type of bipolar as you have, in March, and her doctor called it Bipolar 1, quick cycling.

I know it is very scary! ((((HUGS)))) to you! We are here for you!

Nancy

Thank you wow 14 that's so young. I definitely have quick cycling. Today for instance, I went from knots in my stomach , crying my eyes out at my the GP's to receiving a not nice email from my boss and going into hectic panic anxiety, now home have settled down a bit. It's crazy uncontrollable and horrible.

That sounds like mixed episode to me...