[Sakura13]

Okay, so, I am not self diagnosing. I really want to stress this fact! I'm more so doing some introspection. I am currently taking Abnormal Psych as I'm going to school to work in the mental health field and we're on mood disorders. I was diagnosed as Bipolar but I do believe it was unspecified which one it was. I know for a FACT that I am not B.P.1 because I've never had a true manic episode. I've only ever experienced what I'd call close to hypomania.

However, reading about all of the different types and knowing how I am and how I've been working with my psychiatrist, I've been wondering where I might fall. I KNOW that no one here can give a diagnosis so I'm simply asking for opinions. (:

I cycle really fast and the way I am is really confusing. I switch from mood to mood in like, seconds. I could be really depressed for a few minutes with crying, feeling hopeless, and so on... But then a few seconds later, I'm giggling and laughing and totally fine again.

Keeping track of my mood as I have been now, the past 2 weeks have been more of a depressive state with normal joy mixed in and happiness with the giggling and all of that... But today it's like a switch flipped. I'm super full of excitement, energy, I'm bouncy and doing my whole "I'm making plans to do this this and this".

Is this normal, in your opinion, of what you've seen or experienced yourself with Bipolar? I've been wondering if I'm more B.P. 2 or if I'm even Cyclothymic.

Again, this is simply speculation and I'm just curious to hear others' thoughts and experiences on the matter so I don't feel so alone. >.<

Thank you!

[Row Jimmy]

It sounds a lot like mixed state which is what I have. Mine comes at me quickly and leaves quickly, only to come back quickly. Even though you've never had a true manic episode doesn't mean there's nothing there. I can go four or five days on hypomania and buzz around fixing and solving everything and then plotz for three days.

Keep in mind that there are all sorts of iterations of BP and people might quibble over details. There might be other diagnoses like BPD that might fit or some small wrinkle of a diagnosis. There's no pathology we can use. I simply took my diagnosis and went with it.....not sure of everything or even what it means. For example, my doc said I was a "rapid cycler" but that seems to apply more to people who have BP II. I'm close, but not quite BP II.......so he says. He also said he thinks I have "intermittent explosive disorder" but that could simply be part of my BP mixed state.

Anyway, I had ZERO understanding of BP until my doctor told me about it. But I'm not a doctor, he's the pro. I knew I had some issues and the treatment seems to be working.

[Sakura13]

Thanks for the reply! I apologize for the confusion, I hadn't meant that nothing was going on with the "manic" episodes. I just meant it was not actually mania, it was more so hypomania or something closer to that.

I'm glad to know that this isn't just me! I was wondering if this was a mixed state, but when I learned about that it seemed as though it was more so you experience both simultaneously. Now that I've looked into it more, however, I can see that it might very well be something like that.

I appreciate the reply, thank you! (:

[Hexagram]

Far more important than the precise classification of your disorder is whether it responds to treatment; you should consult a psychiatrist. Your symptoms don't sound like fun.

[Sakura13]

Well, like I said, I already see a psychiatrist and I have been seeing one for awhile. (: We're working on treatment already and having a diagnosis is incredibly important for me. I know for some it's not, but it's something I enjoy knowing about myself and knowing that I can say I fit in with something, so to speak. It's just a personal preference.

But like I said, I'm not looking to be diagnosed on here. I'm just curious if anyone has experienced this sort of thing before and was looking for personal experiences in the matter. (: That's all. Thank you for your input, though, I appreciate it!