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Old Mar 26, 2016, 06:13 PM
beautifulbutterfly1 beautifulbutterfly1 is offline
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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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  #2  
Old Mar 27, 2016, 07:54 AM
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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.
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  #3  
Old Mar 27, 2016, 07:59 AM
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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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Old Mar 27, 2016, 08:17 AM
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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.
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Old Mar 27, 2016, 08:40 AM
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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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  #6  
Old Mar 27, 2016, 09:13 AM
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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.
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  #7  
Old Mar 27, 2016, 09:25 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by beautifulbutterfly1 View Post
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'm obviously no doctor, but I can give you my opinion if it helps.

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.
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  #8  
Old Mar 27, 2016, 09:31 AM
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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 .
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  #9  
Old Mar 27, 2016, 10:01 AM
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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

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  #10  
Old Mar 27, 2016, 10:27 AM
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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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  #11  
Old Mar 27, 2016, 11:11 AM
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  #12  
Old Mar 27, 2016, 11:27 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hopeless2015 View Post
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

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I just turned in my FMLA papers yesterday. I've had my job only 1 1/2 years. That is how long I have lasted at my last 5 jobs so I'm worried. I called in Friday because my eyes were super swollen from crying hard, mostly on and off. I was beyond low.
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  #13  
Old Mar 27, 2016, 02:08 PM
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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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  #14  
Old Mar 27, 2016, 02:45 PM
Polibeth Polibeth is offline
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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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  #15  
Old Mar 27, 2016, 03:05 PM
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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.
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  #16  
Old Mar 27, 2016, 05:09 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Woolly Bugger View Post
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.
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)
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  #17  
Old Mar 28, 2016, 12:35 AM
RomanJames2014 RomanJames2014 is offline
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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.

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  #18  
Old Mar 28, 2016, 01:37 AM
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I am high functioning and stable at the moment.
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  #19  
Old Mar 28, 2016, 04:44 AM
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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
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  #20  
Old Jul 04, 2016, 09:22 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by beautifulbutterfly1 View Post
So I am extremely high functioning to the point that my doctor doesn't think that I am bipolar... It sounds like I am bipolar right? Also are any of you high functioning although your bp? Thanks for your answers.
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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  #21  
Old Jul 04, 2016, 09:26 PM
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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  
Old Jul 04, 2016, 09:56 PM
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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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  #23  
Old Jul 04, 2016, 11:43 PM
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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.
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  #24  
Old Jul 05, 2016, 12:31 AM
RomanJames2014 RomanJames2014 is offline
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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.



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  #25  
Old Jul 05, 2016, 06:24 AM
Anonymous37904
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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.
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