[NicoleHArtz]

Hello. Yesterday I was officially diagnosed as bipolar after about 5-6 years of wondering... my moods have been worse than ever, greater irritability and quicker "switching" between moods. I also began to lose a lot of sleep, and I felt my life was beginning to be more and more effected. Yet, even after my suspicions were confirmed by my doctor, I can't help wishing maybe it was a misdiagnosis, that perhaps he was wrong about the diagnosis, and that maybe it's something else, such as my anxiety, causing the issues. I also can't help but wish I hadn't gone to the doctor at all, so I could have my "normal" life back. Now that the suspicions have been confirmed, the are no longer suspicions... they've become real. I think that's what's scaring me. Is this normal? Should I try to get more professional opinions? I know it's hard to gauge since you guys don't really know me, but I'm wondering if it's common to be diagnosed that you're bipolar if you're not, and what I should do. I don't want to run from the truth but... I'm very lost and confused about everything.

Originally Posted by NicoleHArtz

Hello. Yesterday I was officially diagnosed as bipolar after about 5-6 years of wondering... my moods have been worse than ever, greater irritability and quicker "switching" between moods. I also began to lose a lot of sleep, and I felt my life was beginning to be more and more effected. Yet, even after my suspicions were confirmed by my doctor, I can't help wishing maybe it was a misdiagnosis, that perhaps he was wrong about the diagnosis, and that maybe it's something else, such as my anxiety, causing the issues. I also can't help but wish I hadn't gone to the doctor at all, so I could have my "normal" life back. Now that the suspicions have been confirmed, the are no longer suspicions... they've become real. I think that's what's scaring me. Is this normal? Should I try to get more professional opinions? I know it's hard to gauge since you guys don't really know me, but I'm wondering if it's common to be diagnosed that you're bipolar if you're not, and what I should do. I don't want to run from the truth but... I'm very lost and confused about everything.

Hello NicoleHArtz: I may not be the best person to reply to your post because I have never been given a formal diagnosis even though I been treated by multiple psychiatrists & therapists over the years. I guess there's something to be said for that. But, as a result, I've never had occasion to have to deal with receiving: "THE DIAGNOSIS"... I do know though that the reaction you describe is not unusual. Many members, here on PC, have written posts similar to yours.

As far as seeking additional professional opinions goes, my personal view is that if you do this what you will have as a result is however many additional professional opinions you seek; & a bunch of confusion with regard to which one is accurate. Nearly every professional I have seen over the years has had a little different take with regard to what's going on with me. It has been suggested I have major depression and an anxiety disorder, bipolar depression, OCD, etc.

In the end, I think what is important is: do you feel comfortable with the professionals you're seeing. Do you feel confident they have your best interest at heart & are providing you with appropriate treatment? In the end, diagnoses are just labels... ways for service providers to categorize patients & get paid for the work they do. You may feel there is some stigma attached to being given the label: "bipolar". But, really, the bipolar diagnosis isn't necessarily any better or worse than a diagnosis of say: major depression & generalized anxiety disorder, or OCD, or even BPD for that matter. There can be "good" patients, & "difficult" patients in any category. What's important is that you're receiving the care you need from professionals who are sensitive to your needs as an individual. My best wishes to you.

[Blitter2014]

Hi Nicole

Glad to have you here on PC. Having finally received a diagnosis after so long can be confronting. After years of wondering, suddenly the suspicions are "real" and as such means you have to face them and deal with them. That can be daunting.

But the reality is nothing has changed for the worse. In fact quite the opposite. Now that you have a diagnosis you can start to better understand yourself, and the way you react to the world around you. It means you can start accurate research, start learning specific coping strategies, and reach out to others with a similar diagnosis. And it means you are not going crazy, there really is something that you are suffering from, and now you can start to really control it.

As daunting as it is, you can successfully live with bipolar. You more than likely have already been for years without knowing it. Today you know what to call it, that's all.

I wish you all the best, and please keep posting to let us know if there is any way we can help.

[BipolaRNurse]

The previous posters are right: You are the same person you were before the diagnosis, only now you know what's been wrong all these years and can fight it.

I know it's hard to accept. I didn't fully "buy into" my BP until I landed in the hospital three weeks ago, and I was diagnosed back in early 2012. Being inpatient made me realize that this was NOT an existential crisis I was experiencing, but a real illness that had a very real impact on my life. During my time in the psych ward, I was encouraged to forgive myself for having the disorder and blaming myself for its effects on others, and this helped tremendously in accepting my condition.

Now it's time to learn about your illness so you can fight it. Read everything you can and ask questions of your psychiatrist or therapist. There are so many things to know about bipolar and they change all the time because of new theories and scientific discoveries.

Good luck, and welcome to PC!

[Justugh]

nice person

1 there is nothing that is normal .........normal is one of those weird terms that no one ever has the exact same meaning too .....what is normal to me might not be normal to u ........so just let that idea go no one is normal when compared in the mind of the another ( ie french ppl that say hi by kissing on the cheek that is abnormal to me but normal to them)

2 as for life think about all those time u did something and had no reason why u did it or wanted to do it ........now u know .........and we will use GI joe saying here knowing is half the battle......given that u are ahead of alot of ppl on this planet

if u want to see what i am talking about listen to music u like now ......listen to the words of the songs u enjoy the most and see what the meanings are to u now