[GoingProSoon]

I'm still unsure what I have, whatever it is I can control, not fully but well. Sometimes out of nowhere I'll get a sad feeling like I'm not doing something with my life but I usually ignore it as I am now self aware that I have some sort of disorder. Reading side effects on the Internet makes things worse. My heart flies in public, especially in class if the professor calls on me in front of 100 people. I always think people are talking bad about me in public, I get an elevated heart rate and nervous in public. I'm describing my symptoms so maybe you guys can help me out a bit. I believe I may be a little bi polar but not something to where I can't control. If I get a sad thought I don't let it get me down anymore I just keep moving.

Can bi polar disorder be delt with, without meds? If that's even what it is, I know anxiety can be delt with by CBT.

But I refuse to take anti depressants or anti psychotics, benzos I wouldn't mind to do once in a while whenever I'm feeling anxiety ridden.

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[gayleggg]

Some people have good luck with handling being bipolar without meds. I'm not one of them. The depressive episodes are too deep for me to pull myself out of on my own. Since I'm bipolar II, I mainly have depressive episode with few manic ones. I take meds that keep me somewhere in the middle.

It does sound like you have anxiety issues, but of course, I'm not a professional that can give you a diagnosis. I know that anxiety can be very debilitating and hard to control, but I use deep breathing exercised to get mine under control. My doctor did prescribe Klonopin for my anxiety but I rarely have to use it.

[GoingProSoon]

Originally Posted by gayleggg

Some people have good luck with handling being bipolar without meds. I'm not one of them. The depressive episodes are too deep for me to pull myself out of on my own. Since I'm bipolar II, I mainly have depressive episode with few manic ones. I take meds that keep me somewhere in the middle.

It does sound like you have anxiety issues, but of course, I'm not a professional that can give you a diagnosis. I know that anxiety can be very debilitating and hard to control, but I use deep breathing exercised to get mine under control. My doctor did prescribe Klonopin for my anxiety but I rarely have to use it.

My doctor prescribed me klonopin too and told me to take 0.5mg eod before bed. I did it for a few days and I actually felt good but I fear addictions so I ceased its use.

Another problem I have is smoking weed. Smoking tends to keep my anxiety low and at bay, however it's an expensive habit. There's no way to win? Klonopin are cheap with my health ins. But I don't want to be addicted. Smoking is safer and not addictive but not always effective either. I smoke to eat, not to get high. My anxiety is actually pretty bad to where it kills my appetite and smoking is the only thing that alleviates it. I'm not trying to make excuses for smoking either. I wish I didn't have to, but for what I do for a living, food is a must and yes anxiety is debilitating in that general area.

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[elevatedsoul]

hi
the best thing for you to do is write down your symptoms, concerns, and take it in to a doctor so you can have a profesional opinion/diagnosis

My heart flies in public, especially in class if the professor calls on me in front of 100 people. I always think people are talking bad about me in public, I get an elevated heart rate and nervous in public.

this sounds like social phobia/anxiety to me

bipoar is a "Mood Disorder"
you cycle from highs to lows, often extreme episodes

some people can manage with therapy and not meds, some people need the support the meds can offer
but thats what they are, Support, not cures

btw you can have both GAD and Bipolar, although from what you write it sounds more like social anxiety

[GoingProSoon]

Originally Posted by elevatedsoul

hi
the best thing for you to do is write down your symptoms, concerns, and take it in to a doctor so you can have a profesional opinion/diagnosis


this sounds like social phobia/anxiety to me

bipoar is a "Mood Disorder"
you cycle from highs to lows, often extreme episodes

some people can manage with therapy and not meds, some people need the support the meds can offer
but thats what they are, Support, not cures

btw you can have both GAD and Bipolar, although from what you write it sounds more like social anxiety

I've heard people can have mood swings and not be bipolar. My problem is most definitely anxiety, but can anxiety cause mood swings here and there?

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[Moogieotter]

I think making a list of concerns and visiting a professional would be the way to go. So far, I'm not hearing any symptoms describing marked episodes of mania and/or depression. How are your sleep cycles?

I know for me and many others, marijuana use can actually contribute to anxiety, not like a paranoia during the high, but uncomfortable anxiety when not high while it's a habit. This sounds more like what you might be experiencing. You have an expensive habit you said - for me I had to get off of the drugs and experience slightly worse anxiety in the short term to find a real solution long term.

If you do seek medical treatment, this will be an important consideration for your treatment.

Best of luck, welcome to PC Bipolar Land, and please keep posting.

moogs

[GoingProSoon]

My sleep is bad however I do use anabolic steroids for bodybuilding year round so this may be an issue. I get 4/5 hours a night waking up to piss mostly.

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[sorand0m]

Bipolar and GAD here. My anxiety disorder is less of a problem now than it used to be, down purely to medication.

As for the bipolar, I couldn’t manage without meds. My elevated phases are simply too self-destructive to manage without meds. I really do just go off the rails.

I envy those who can manage med-free. I'd love to just deal with this without them but I'd end up on a psych ward so fast my head wouldn't stop spinning.

[Moogieotter]

Yeah, anxiety is also a common side effect of anabolic steroids. Might not be the case for you, but I would mention this to your evaluating physician.

The last thing I would do would be to turn to benzos. Good Luck!

moogs

Sounds to me like an anxiety disorder as you do not have the marked high and lows associated with bipolar disorders. It's likely that a lot of your anxiety is caused by the steroids and your mood swings as well. If you google the side effects of steroid use you will see those as side effects. But then again, I am not a med professional and could be wrong but that is my take as a long time sufferer of bipolar disorder.

[Disorder7]

A psychiatrist will probably be reluctant to diagnose you until you stop using steroids and smoking weed. They want to be sure your problem isn't being caused by something you're using.
My psychiatrist does surprise, random drug testing. Just like the kind you have for jobs. He wants to know for sure what he's dealing with.

[BlackSheep79]

I agree with ChaoticInsanity only based on what you have described. On top of the BP I also suffer from OCD and GAD and it does sound like more of a anxiety issue. Nothing can be certain because of the effect that marijuana and steroids have. Definitely see a pdoc for a professional opinion.

[GoingProSoon]

Well steroids can't be ceased. I compete for money this is my career. Weed I could give up but then it will cause an issue with me eating

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