[thebigfoot]

My diagnose is BP II

My doc said more energy and less rest is the main symptom.
I always argue with my doc. I just in highly focused with my work, make decision quickly and can be nice to people.I feel good and my colleague likes me.

I don't spend money easily. I do have idea easily but my brain is not racing.

But be honestly. I do have two status, but 90% of time is depress. so I am in bipolar disorder.

How about your opinion. am I the typical bipolar? and if you are BP II,what's your symptoms?

[bbTofu]

When I'm hypomanic - I don't necessarily meet all the criterias one to one. Also my depression is not exactly the classic - I'm able to function which may be misleading.
However, my states are way too far from each other, extremely!
I'm VERY energetic about everything, exuberant, it gets annoying when my body is exhausted and overloaded, not enough sleep, sometimes forget to eat - agitating.
When I was depressed - it's like a whole different world.

[Pastel Kitten]

I'm not the same every hypomanic episode. The things that stay the same are the high energy, the decreased need for sleep, and the increased motivation. The symptoms that vary for me are the rapid speech and how often I get irritated. I can expect to get irritated at least once during each episode, but sometimes I get irritated much more frequently. Sometimes I can't stop talking - other times I'm able to remain somewhat collected, primarily if I'm able to plug my energy into a productive outlet like working on a project for many hours without much break.

My depression is usually very debilitating. Besides being mentally drained, I often find myself completely physically drained as well. I start to sleep more, which adds to being physically drained. Even if I sleep normally, I find myself fatigued for the whole day. No motivation for something as simple as washing a bowl to eat cereal, let alone anything productive. Enjoyable activities become dull.

どうぞ　よろしくおねがいします.

I'm no doctor, but I don't think you're bipolar if you exhibit none of the symptoms of mania, only those of depression. The two-state existence of "happy, high-functioning normal" and "depressed" is not bipolar disorder.

Have you been treated for your depression?

Best,

Lefty

[Nix]

I'm still trying to determine what bipolar looks like for myself :/ I saw you were relatively new to the site and wanted to say hello and welcome. I hope you have good luck determining what bipolar looks like for you.

[BPgf]

Originally Posted by Lefty the Salesman

どうぞ　よろしくおねがいします.

I'm no doctor, but I don't think you're bipolar if you exhibit none of the symptoms of mania, only those of depression. The two-state existence of "happy, high-functioning normal" and "depressed" is not bipolar disorder.

Have you been treated for your depression?

Best,

Lefty

If you read some of the most current research on bipolar, alot of psychiatrists WOULD consider this pattern for a possible bipolar diagnosis. On a 1-10 scale, for most folks "normal" is a 5, which means they're hypomanic at 8 and manic at 10, and depressed at 2 and in a really bad place at 0.

But if your "normal" is say a 3.5 and you tend to run more depressed, for example, your "elevated" may only be a 6 or so. Alot of pdocs (good ones anyway) now look for that pattern of recurring depression with periods of normal in between.

I'm not saying that is the case here, of course. But recurrent depression with periods of normalling out can be a sign of bipolar.

[jacky8807]

Originally Posted by BPgf

If you read some of the most current research on bipolar, alot of psychiatrists WOULD consider this pattern for a possible bipolar diagnosis. On a 1-10 scale, for most folks "normal" is a 5, which means they're hypomanic at 8 and manic at 10, and depressed at 2 and in a really bad place at 0.

But if your "normal" is say a 3.5 and you tend to run more depressed, for example, your "elevated" may only be a 6 or so. Alot of pdocs (good ones anyway) now look for that pattern of recurring depression with periods of normal in between.

I'm not saying that is the case here, of course. But recurrent depression with periods of normalling out can be a sign of bipolar.

We must take the new "research" with a grain of salt especially since many of it is funded behind the scenes by Pharma companies. The term is becoming to broad and it's not a good thing in my opinion . Research in this case is all subjective
If you have issues screwing up your life sure get help. But doctors handing out this dx like the common cold are doing more harm than good
It throws many unsuspecting ppl into a life of heavy meds stigma and label problems
Dr phil did a great show about how labels are by fact KNOWn to worsen the course of mental health....people will unwilling become the label live up to the label and blame the label.

[Angry1541]

Originally Posted by thebigfoot

My diagnose is BP II

Mine too

Originally Posted by thebigfoot

My doc said more energy and less rest is the main symptom.
I always argue with my doc. I just in highly focused with my work, make decision quickly and can be nice to people.I feel good and my colleague likes me.

Me too...When I am up, I don't have delusions of grandeur, or maybe I do, but it's normally around being really really good at what I do. Which I am, but I am way way better when up.

Originally Posted by thebigfoot

I don't spend money easily.

I do, but it's all small purchases, a few books, some music, a new game, etc. Never anything huge.

Originally Posted by thebigfoot

I do have idea easily but my brain is not racing.

This one is hard. My brain doesn't race, but I do get caught up in my ideas of what I want to do. Normally it's something new, like explore Buddhism, explore Judaism, take up metal detecting. Always I am gungho about that thing until my next depression, then I am off it (never forever, but not as hardcore as when I started it).

Originally Posted by thebigfoot

But be honestly. I do have two status, but 90% of time is depress. so I am in bipolar disorder.

Yeah, I would say, based on limited info it sounds suspiciously like what I am going through.

Originally Posted by thebigfoot

How about your opinion. am I the typical bipolar? and if you are BP II,what's your symptoms?

Mostly I am depressed. Every once in a while I go through a period where I have trouble sleeping, but can still perform at work just as if I slept fine. It's as if I don't need as much sleep. I may even be tired overall, but I can function as if I weren't.

My depression isn't debilitating. I go to work, sometimes have a hard time concentrating on work, or feeling motivated to go outta my way to get more done or self-start. I am most often lost in my thoughts.

I do have a bit of paranoia, have had it my entire life. Always looking for the message within the message, like when people say something to me, I never believe they REALLY intended what they said....that there is another "true" mean in what they say. Have ALWAYS been like this.

Probably have always had all the symptoms, but only really started noticing the others after I got sober and off ADHD meds that were making manic ALL THE TIME, so I never saw any swings in mood.

Hope this helps.

[Angry1541]

Originally Posted by jacky8807

We must take the new "research" with a grain of salt especially since many of it is funded behind the scenes by Pharma companies. The term is becoming to broad and it's not a good thing in my opinion . Research in this case is all subjective
If you have issues screwing up your life sure get help. But doctors handing out this dx like the common cold are doing more harm than good
It throws many unsuspecting ppl into a life of heavy meds stigma and label problems
Dr phil did a great show about how labels are by fact KNOWn to worsen the course of mental health....people will unwilling become the label live up to the label and blame the label.

NO offense meant to you, but I always chuckle when I hear Dr Phil. Not even a doctor! Not that he doesn't help some people, but ha! Oprah made that man rich.

[Mountainbard]

The symptoms of hypomania can vary. Mine are similar to what you describe, only I do become very irresponsible with money and need/want very little sleep.

[jacky8807]

Originally Posted by Angry1541

NO offense meant to you, but I always chuckle when I hear Dr Phil. Not even a doctor! Not that he doesn't help some people, but ha! Oprah made that man rich.

Oh I totally get Dr phil can be a nut. But he was right on target with this. It's well known in the medical community and I have seen it myself time and time again .
Psychiatry as everything has to be looked at with a critical eye. Can't just accept it and well known research by the psych community has shown BP is way overdiagnosed and people are wrongly over medicated all the time. And sometimes med cause the problem/symptoms and is not indicative of bipolar itself

[Angry1541]

Originally Posted by jacky8807

Oh I totally get Dr phil can be a nut. But he was right on target with this. It's well known in the medical community and I have seen it myself time and time again .
Psychiatry as everything has to be looked at with a critical eye. Can't just accept it and well known research by the psych community has shown BP is way overdiagnosed and people are wrongly over medicated all the time. And sometimes med cause the problem/symptoms and is not indicative of bipolar itself

Totally agree....can't argue with that.

Hi thebigfoot and welcome. We really can't diagnose here, but if you think he's wrong, you should get a second (or even third) opinion from evaluation with professionals of psychological specialty. (That's important. One should not look to their GP for significant psychological issues. They simply do not have the training in this complex field.)

In order to make a diagnosis... One does not have to have every single symptom of a disorder, but there should be a goodly number of criteria met (ie. not just one or two symptoms) and that those symptoms cause significant problems in one's functioning in life. These are both essential for proper diagnosis.

From what you describe it'd be hard to say. Big swings in energy can be a good indicator, but they're only part of the picture.

You ask about our personal experience. I've got BP II dx. Unfortunately with across-the-board symptoms -- BUT-- to varying degrees and not necessarily uniform -- in combination, manifestation or intensity -- from episode to episode. "Typical" can be a tricky word. That said, major energy shift is pretty much a given for me. To give examples of how I've experienced the various symptoms would make a book. I'll spare you. )

Originally Posted by jacky8807

The term is becoming to broad and it's not a good thing in my opinion...

Totally agree. To define it too broadly is a disservice both to those that have it and those who don't.

[Saltine American]

When I have had episodes, I found myself to be Social, outgoing, sexually active and require maybe 3 hours of sleep a night, Which I am NONE of these things. I'm also very sensitive to comments made to me that if I find negative I break down, which is totally me. I usually crash and burn within a month maybe 3. And then it's just straight depression and self loathing.

[jacky8807]

Originally Posted by Innerzone

Hi thebigfoot and welcome. We really can't diagnose here, but if you think he's wrong, you should get a second (or even third) opinion from evaluation with professionals of psychological specialty. (That's important. One should not look to their GP for significant psychological issues. They simply do not have the training in this complex field.)

In order to make a diagnosis... One does not have to have every single symptom of a disorder, but there should be a goodly number of criteria met (ie. not just one or two symptoms) and that those symptoms cause significant problems in one's functioning in life. These are both essential for proper diagnosis.

From what you describe it'd be hard to say. Big swings in energy can be a good indicator, but they're only part of the picture.

You ask about our personal experience. I've got BP II dx. Unfortunately with across-the-board symptoms -- BUT-- to varying degrees and not necessarily uniform -- in combination, manifestation or intensity -- from episode to episode. "Typical" can be a tricky word. That said, major energy shift is pretty much a given for me. To give examples of how I've experienced the various symptoms would make a book. I'll spare you. )

Totally agree. To define it too broadly is a disservice both to those that have it and those who don't.

Yes!!! So true!!! Also a problem for people that DO have it because it becomes treated as a joke or not that serious of an illness which it absolutely is!!

[Row Jimmy]

IMO, there's not a single overlay of symptoms that apply to every single person. For me, I get a rush of creativity and a need to do new things. I talk a lot, get animated with language and expressions, and my mind goes into general overdrive.

The problem comes with the crash. I get angry and paranoid. The most troubling aspect is controlling the *when* of the downside. That's the eternal lure of BP, sort of like the Greek Sirens.