[cool09]

Or vice versa. I'm interested in knowing. I really need to ask my PDOCs at University outpatient program which I just started going to. (I'm not even sure if they know the correct answer.) My guess is I've had mixed states (agitated depression) over the last +35 yrs with disorganized thoughts. The disorganized thoughts is a form of psychosis. And I suppose the degree of psychosis can vary from mild to severe? All of this is too much to handle.

It's easy to be confused by the hate spiral that is Bipolar Disorder, but honestly you arent alone. We have many people here that experience bipolar to a variety of degrees. I am one of those that experience sever psychosis with various states, and was recently diagnosed BP SZA due to the presence of hallucinations outside of states. Hope you are able to get a handle on things. ((hugs))

[Victoria'smom]

I have BP w/ psychosis or SZA the difference is the BP w/psychosis is the psychosis is mood congruent. In psychosis w/ BP or scizoaffective the psychosis isn't on mood.

[*Laurie*]

Originally Posted by cool09

Or vice versa. I'm interested in knowing. I really need to ask my PDOCs at University outpatient program which I just started going to. (I'm not even sure if they know the correct answer.) My guess is I've had mixed states (agitated depression) over the last +35 yrs with disorganized thoughts. The disorganized thoughts is a form of psychosis. And I suppose the degree of psychosis can vary from mild to severe? All of this is too much to handle.

You're sure not alone. Sounds like the same stuff I experience.

[Crazy Hitch]

Interesting question.

Thanks for asking.

[cool09]

Personally, I have a hard time telling if the mood swings make my head disorganized or vice versa. I know when my thoughts are disorganized I get very frustrated, agitated, moody then eventually depressed with massive intrusive thoughts, poor energy. Thanks for the feedback, that was helpful. Geodon has helped knock my thoughts back into very good order and other things are falling into place. Hard avoiding the horrible akathisia though.

I've had a ton of mixed episodes and 2 psychotic breaks. They say I have bp 1 with psychosis. I don't know the percentages of ppl that have bp 1 with psychosis, but I think it's rare. I'll ask my pdoc...

Originally Posted by cool09

Personally, I have a hard time telling if the mood swings make my head disorganized or vice versa. I know when my thoughts are disorganized I get very frustrated, agitated, moody then eventually depressed with massive intrusive thoughts, poor energy. Thanks for the feedback, that was helpful. Geodon has helped knock my thoughts back into very good order and other things are falling into place. Hard avoiding the horrible akathisia though.

That sounds mixed to me, but I'm no psychiatrist, lol.

[Velouria]

Just wondering - I thought that those with BP1 are diagnosed as such because of the presence of psychotic symptoms (paranoid delusions, delusions of grandeur, hallucinations, etc), especially during mania. Is that not the case?

[Victoria'smom]

Is that not the case? It doesn't have to be psychotic for BP1

[Confusedinomicon]

Miguel's mom is right.

You can experience manic symptoms without becoming psychotic. You can also experience psychosis from not sleeping which is a symptom of mania. It's also simply a symptom of not sleeping. Things like impulsiveness, racing thoughts, and inability to concentrate don't necessarily mean you are experiencing psychosis.

[electricbipolargirl]

Originally Posted by cool09

Personally, I have a hard time telling if the mood swings make my head disorganized or vice versa. I know when my thoughts are disorganized I get very frustrated, agitated, moody then eventually depressed with massive intrusive thoughts, poor energy. Thanks for the feedback, that was helpful. Geodon has helped knock my thoughts back into very good order and other things are falling into place. Hard avoiding the horrible akathisia though.

Geodon gave me the worst akathisia. My pdoc prescribed Cogentin and that stopped it. Just wanted to let you know in case it might help you.

[Velouria]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

Is that not the case? It doesn't have to be psychotic for BP1

Ah okay. Thanks!

So how is mania differentiated from hypomania?

[Velouria]

Originally Posted by Confusedinomicon

Miguel's mom is right.

You can experience manic symptoms without becoming psychotic. You can also experience psychosis from not sleeping which is a symptom of mania. It's also simply a symptom of not sleeping. Things like impulsiveness, racing thoughts, and inability to concentrate don't necessarily mean you are experiencing psychosis.

Right, those are all not psychotic symptoms. Those are cognitive symptoms. I meant actual psychotic symptoms, like delusions of grandeur, paranoia, hallucinations, etc.

How are mania and hypomania differentiated from each other, if not through the presence or absence of psychotic symptoms?