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#1
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Hope everyone is having a great day. So I am extremely high functioning to the point that my doctor doesn't think that I am bipolar. He thinks that I just have PTSD and stated that sometimes it can mimic bipolar symptoms. Although I have been treated for bipolar for the last 6 years. But at the same time I am able to work full time(for the last four years), graduate college and I want to pursue my MBA next. My career goal is to become an executive at a fortune 500 company. Although I am functional, I still think I am bipolar because my mood swings slightly sometimes. I will be depressed one week and then the next day completely fine. Also I have had crises when I have been suicidal(but never actually attempted suicide) as well as wanting to cut. Also seven years ago major depressive episode where I was slightly psychotic. But aside for that one time being delusional while severely depressed the psychotic features never came back.I have never been psychotic ever again. What do you all think? It sounds like I am bipolar right? Also are any of you high functioning although your bp? Thanks for your answers.
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![]() pirilin, Wild Coyote
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![]() Miss Laura, Wild Coyote
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#2
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It's hard to say whether you're bipolar from what you have said, and also because I'm not a doctor. But there are plenty of people who function very well despite bipolar. I work full time as well (although I'm on leave right now). Lots of people have made it through school and things like that. It doesn't mean you're not bipolar. If you're not happy with your pdoc, maybe think about trying to get in to see someone else for a second opinion.
__________________
Of course it is happening inside your head. But why on earth should that mean that it is not real? -Albus Dumbledore That’s life. If nothing else, that is life. It’s real. Sometimes it f—-ing hurts. But it’s sort of all we have. -Garden State |
![]() Anonymous37904, Wild Coyote
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![]() JustJace2u, Wild Coyote
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#3
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I am very high functioning. I am not technically diagnosed with anything, but i have been evaluated by forensic psychologists. They said that the latter of the two in my signature may be true. Only one doctor was convinced about BP, because i emailed her sexual things during hypomania. I am Safe, friends.
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![]() Wild Coyote
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![]() Wild Coyote
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#4
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I was pretty high functioning until I hit 50 years old and had a big
melt down, or crash which ever you prefer. So I believe that many of us can be high functioning but now I realize that can change very quickly.
__________________
I traded it in for a whole 'nother world A pirate flag and an island girl |
![]() Anonymous37904, Wild Coyote
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![]() Wild Coyote
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#5
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I am considered high functioning which is kinda funny. I go to a free clinic where the majority of the patients are extremely low functioning. Since I hold a job( barely) and don't have a social worker controlling my life, I'm high functioning. I still have my job, but sabotage myself and am so close to getting fired, I don't even know if I still have the job. During a major depressive episode, I was told it was "normal" for women to cry a lot. WHAT? Sometimes I don't even talk to them, just listen to their nonsense( which must be their regular since they say it all the time no matter who I see or what the problem is) and get my scripts.
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![]() Anonymous37904, Wild Coyote
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![]() Wild Coyote
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#6
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I'm fairly high functioning. I earned a bachelor's and master's degree from a top engineering school, and my master's degree was free because I earned a full scholarship. I now have a full-time job at a highly reputable software company.
I wasn't even diagnosed as bipolar until *after* I graduated with my master's (which is actually unfortunate because it cost me my first job). So, I can technically function without meds, but it's just very difficult for me. (Like I said, it cost me my first job. I also got into fights with people in my research lab in grad school, angering everybody including my own professor. Even my grades suffered when I was depressed and couldn't concentrate.) But yes, I know what you mean about your doctor thinking you're not bipolar. My first therapist didn't believe I was bipolar either, even though I was diagnosed with it by a psychiatrist at the same office. She kept telling me all my symptoms were "ADHD", and she didn't believe that I suffered from depression at all. She even said to me, "No... I don't see you getting depressed at all. I don't think you've experienced depression," which was total BS because I've experienced suicidal ideation since I was 11 or 12. She also said, "No, you're not bipolar because you don't brag. I don't see you bragging about anything." (I don't know where she came up with that!) I used to debate whether or not I was bipolar because my therapist was skeptical, as was my psychiatrist at first. I knew that my therapist was being ridiculous, but at the time, I believed her. But recently (5 days ago), I've been in an "angry" hypomanic state (although some say it's technically "dysphoric mania"), whereby I've been acting like a total jack*ss, spending excessive amounts of money, and driving recklessly despite being highly productive at work and full of energy. I also reacted badly to antidepressants, as many other bipolar people here experience. |
![]() Mrs. Mania, Wild Coyote
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![]() Wild Coyote
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#7
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Quote:
I think it's worth reading about psychotic depression: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychotic_depression You didn't mention anything to me that suggests you experience upswings. You may indeed experience upswings, but you mostly mentioned things that sound like major depression and psychotic depression, both of which can be experienced with Major Depressive Disorder. You don't have to be bipolar to experience psychotic depression. Have you ever had periods of time where you were so happy or so angry that you weren't yourself? Like driving 95mph on the highway zig-zagging around cars, or impulsively spending $600 on a new guitar that you have no idea how to play and no intentions to play? (Those are 2 examples of things I've done.) Have you experienced a period of time where you got less sleep than usual without feeling tired (e.g., 0-4 hours of sleep a night)? Have you experienced an increase in goal-directed activity (e.g., suddenly cleaning your entire house, taking on more tasks at work than you can handle, etc.)? You don't have to have every one of those symptoms to be considered hypomanic or manic. I'm just trying to give you examples. |
![]() Wild Coyote
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![]() Wild Coyote
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#8
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I have a very techincal job which I have held for over 25 years , been married for over 30 ... at age 55 went ip ... it has taken 3 years to accept my bp , my wife and I agree looking back it was always there ... it has been a truley "different" life ... which I never knew till I have become stable under treatment ... I thought everyone was like me ... bp has many levels and everyone is different ... if you are troubled I suggest a second opinion ... of course the gold standard is are there symptoms ... are they affecting your life ... can they be lessened or controled ... that is the only element ... a label is just that .. a label ...
Welcome to pc .... Tigger . |
![]() Anonymous37904, Wild Coyote
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![]() Wild Coyote
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#9
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I'm considered high functioning but wasn't so much the last few months, I've had my job for 21 years and right now I'm stable. I have FMLA for when I'm not
Sent from my XT1058 using Tapatalk
__________________
Current Meds Lamictal 200 mg x2 Seroquel 100 mg |
![]() Anonymous37904, Mrs. Mania, Wild Coyote
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![]() Mrs. Mania, Wild Coyote
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#10
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Nothing you say suggests that you have experienced the manic side of BP. I would tend to believe my doctor, if I were you, and proceed from there. If you don't trust your psychiatrist, you should get a new one.
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![]() gina_re, Wild Coyote
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#11
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=================HUGS!!!================
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![]() Wild Coyote
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#12
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Quote:
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![]() Anonymous37904, Wild Coyote
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![]() Wild Coyote
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#13
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I guess I would be considered high functioning. But once the doctors hear my history, they agree with the diagnosis.
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![]() Anonymous37904, Wild Coyote
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![]() Wild Coyote
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#14
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I had to change pdocs when I moved out of state. At our first meeting he said I didn't strike him as bipolar and he didn't think I was. A few months later I had an epic manic episode and ended up in the hospital. He then told me I had very severe bipolar I (which had already been diagnosed before). Now he tells me not to tell anyone I'm bipolar because I appear "very normal" when not in an episode. I've been stable for several years now and am contemplating moving out of state again. Not looking forward to finding another pdoc.
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![]() Anonymous37904, Wild Coyote
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![]() Wild Coyote
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#15
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I used to think I was high functioning. Technically I was was, and I wasn't. I was able to keep jobs by the skin of my teeth. I think people felt sorry for me.
The appointment after I told my medical doctor about my comorbid bipolar, he started saying "you seem manic now". I wasn't manic, I was just quickly trying to tell my doctor about all my medical concerns and you don't get much time so my speech was rapid. I felt invalidated. I got upset and said "I don't think I'm bipolar". He said, I don't think so either and he referred me to a specialist. The specialist listened to a LITTLE of my story and said he thinks it might be PTSD. I didn't want to be bipolar, and I wanted them to fix me so I thought maybe they are right!!! It's very hard for me to consistently accept my bipolar DX. Sometimes I do completely, other times I'm so sure I'm fine and everyone else has the problem. Within a couple months I had another huge manic episode, ended up in crisis and I think it's obvious to anyone reviewing my medical chart that bipolar is the likeliest culprit. If I see a doctor while I'm stable or even on the depressed side, I think it could easily be missed. Actually, it was for a LONG time. I was diagnosed with depression by most doctors because I didn't discuss my mania. It was too traumatizing and I felt like it was a moral failure. I think I come across as high functioning. But I'm m not entirely sure how other people see me anymore. I used to think I passed as average and now I feel like I wear my crazy on my sleeve 24/7 and I'm deluding myself to think I keep it hidden. |
![]() Anonymous37904, Wild Coyote
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![]() Wild Coyote
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#16
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I agree with this. Plus in my opinion the symptoms you describe sound more like BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder) (suicidal crisis, wanting to cut, mood swings)
__________________
“All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.” -St. Francis of Assisi Diagnosis: Schizoaffective disorder Bipolar type PTSD Social Anxiety Disorder Anorexia Binge/Purge type |
#17
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I am high functioning until info complete manic or depressed. My therapist thinks I'm not bipolar but my doctor believes I am. I definitely know that I am because I relate to all the highs and lows and euphoria and manic and depressed symptoms. Hallucinations and paranoia also come to play.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
![]() Wild Coyote
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![]() Wild Coyote
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#19
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The majority of the time I'm high functioning as well. Ive just gone about two years almost without having any major episode (apart from a few depressive blips), until recently. And even when I'm ill I have been told by docs that I'm really in tune with my body and mind.
I see bp as being on a scale rather than an all or nothing. And in that way it makes it all the harder to diagnose. Time will tell if everyone is unsure at the moment. Take care x
__________________
~ HEY! I run a site on mental health called The Manic Years. I'm looking for some brave souls to share their own personal encounters with mental health. Are you up for sharing your story? Please get in touch on themanicyears@gmail.com. Thank you ![]() Follow my blog here; http://themanicyears.com Lola Olivia ~ 7/11/11 ~ my reason for breathing Bipolar Affective Disorder type 2 - (2013) 'Borderline traits' Dissociative episodes |
![]() Wild Coyote
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![]() Wild Coyote
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#20
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Well you don't say anything about being manic so wouldn't necessarily agree you are bipolar. But then when you say you are being treated for bipolar you don't mentioned how and if it is with med like lithium that typically prescribed for bipolar. I mean if you are doing fine with the treatment and are in remission then there wouldn't be point in changing but if it isn't working then might be worth reevaluating. I'm pretty high-functioning outside of episodes but have had several manic episodes that leave little doubt of diagnosis.
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![]() Wild Coyote
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![]() Wild Coyote
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#21
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I am very high functioning. I don't think my pdoc would go so far as to say I don't have bipolar disorder, not knowing the history he has helped me through. But I do think he'd say I am very much in a long remission from symptoms and in a much better place psychologically to cope healthily with any future episodes than I was in the past.
I have high hopes that I won't regress into the level of difficulties I went through in the past, in large part because the comorbid PTSD symptoms that GREATLY complicated my bipolar symptoms is very much under control. Personally, the PTSD gave me much bigger problems than bipolar ever did, but the PTSD was something I was finally able to work through in therapy (after many years of very intense work) which simplified my mental health issues greatly. |
#22
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I was high functioning for a long time, so when I started to see a new pdoc she agreed with me that I wasn't bipolar (I had been diagnosed previously but was convinced I didn't have it). Then I had the year from hell - 3 manic episodes, more depressions than I can count. Hospitalizations, psychosis, the whole lot. So yea, that changed things.
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dx: schizoaffective bipolar type; OCD; GAD rx: clozapine, clonazepam PRN |
![]() Wild Coyote
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![]() Wild Coyote
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#23
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I agree with others. Your post doesn't necessarily sound like bipolar. If I were you, I'd go with my psychiatrist. If I wasn't content with what he said, I'd seek a second opinion.
That said, it took a long time for me to get my accurate diagnosis, though, partly because I never had obvious hypomania. Check out psycheducation.org I've got bipolar ii but spent several years in essentially a constant mixed state with varying levels of hypomanic and depressive symptoms, so no one saw the cycling. Sometimes bipolar really hides. I recommend working with your psychiatrist or getting a second opinion.
__________________
Dx: Bipolar II, ultra rapid cycling but meds help with the severity of cycling. Rx: lamictal, seroquel, lithium |
![]() Wild Coyote
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![]() Wild Coyote
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#24
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I'm very high functioning but that's because I am very young and usually hypo manic.
I found out about my bipolar a year ago and though I recently found out I have seen the progression of it from my early adulthood to now. I am also more hypo manic then manic more than I'm depressed. This makes me seem "perfectly fine" to most of the people around me so this doesn't always affect my work and school. My therapist doesn't think I'm bipolar even though my doctor beloved I am and that I'm just high functioning. When I get depressed I am bed ridden outside of school and work and though I miss a lot of school the consequences for work are greater so I just go to work and be depressed. I am quite good at hiding my depression and my mania comes off as me being in a good mood to most. I've seen the repercussions of both moods and I know that it's bipolar. You know your self more than anyone but trust what your doctor has to say. Be open and honest with him so he can help you. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
![]() Wild Coyote
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![]() Wild Coyote
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#25
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I'm quite the opposite, but I used to be high functioning. I did great in school, was a lawyer...then crashed and burned. That was 10 years ago. I receive excellent care and support from my treatment team, I'm in a healthy and suppotive relationship, but I've been on SSDI since 2009. My dx is considered "extreme" and I have other MI dx. MI runs in my family. I'm an optimist but I'm a realist, too.
I like helping others. I have interests. I'm not my illness but there is no denying it impacts my daily life. |
![]() Wander
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![]() BipolaRNurse
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