"Atypical Bipolar Disorder" ??

I was just looking at my medical history out of idle curiosity.. and noticed that my diagnosis is actually 'Atypical bipolar'. I can't find much information on this other than the fact that it is considered to be a case where symptoms of BPI and BPII exist. I will bring this up with my doctors... but was wondering what people here know about this...

My first thought was that he meant Bipolar NOS. Then wondered if maybe it had a new name in the DSM 5. Well, turns out it does have a new name, but it's -- "Otherwise Specified Bipolar And Related Disorder". (What a cumbersome name! They never seem to make a name simpler!)

I'd guess he's referring to that situation, but just using the word "atypical".

If this is so, it is easier to describe via its previous name, so I will use that. The NOS meant "not otherwise specified", which described a situation where the symptoms seemed to reflect bipolar, but didn't fit neatly into either BP 1 or BP 2. It is also a term (whichever name it goes by) that is often found in a situation where the provider hasn't known the person long enough or for whatever reason doesn't have enough information to make a determination of either BP 1 or BP 2.

This means that it might be a temporary dx (pending further info) or a dx in and of itself where considering full information, symptoms simply don't quite fit either BP 1 or 2.

Does that make sense? The only way to know for sure if this is what they meant is to ask of course. But in the meanwhile, I think this is a pretty good guess.

Thanks. That sounds reasonable. I did find this video from a doctor explaining 'atypical bipolar'... to me it sounds like what people are calling 'rapid cycling'?

It does seem like that. Interestingly though, the particular description/example he gave could also describe borderline. Or at least not contradict it. His description could also be applied to ultradian cycling (ie. ultra rapid, down to as short as a day)(I'm personally pretty sceptical of ultradian being BP, so will stay off that subject). He did seem to be speaking rather off the cuff, so that may be a factor in clarity.

Sounds like maybe your particular flavor's timeframes are the issue. (?)

I don't know really. It's been less than a month since my diagnosis with BP. This is all new to me. I'm fairly certain that I was in a manic phase in late spring (when I halted all of my work to become a potter of all things).. and then went into depression for most of the summer. Looking back at my life these patterns become clear. There is also my family history to consider... which is loaded with various issues related to depression and substance abuse. My guess is that your first guess is the best... they just haven't gotten to know me.

That does seem very likely, now knowing how new the dx is.
There's a learning curve on both ends. Them getting to know you, and you getting to know BP.

For what it's worth, it doesn't sound unusual in terms of timeframes. I can certainly relate.

(And you might get a laugh from a memory your potter comment brought to mind-- a time when I thought I'd go into business being a stick furniture maker. You know, on account of being hypo/manic and having collected a yardful of branches I'd peeled(!) Lol. That was about all I was equipped for, tool-wise. I did make a few pieces, but hardly the stuff of making a business! Haha.)

Ha.. oh yes. I'm a bladesmith (forging blades) by trade and all of a sudden I saw this beautiful connection between pottery and bladesmithing. I pretty much stopped what I was doing and scrounged the countryside for the types of rocks I needed to make my own glazes...and I have never really made pottery before. The plus side is that now I'm equipped to make pottery.. although I have no real interest in it. What the hell.. it will cycle back I'm sure. As to sticks... I'm pretty sure that I got my very first glimpse as to what was going to happen in my life several years ago when I became interested in making shelving from driftwood.

I studied goldsmithing (though most of my work's silver) and once did mokume gane -- thanks to which I first learned of Damascus steel. So beautiful. Do you by chance do any of that?

I so relate to the those connection moments you speak of (which is an artist thing and totally cool) and the subsequent scrounging/gathering. Too bad the BP gets us out of control with it sometimes.

Oh yes.. I specialize in ancient forms of 'damascus'... or pattern welding. I do composite patterns that go back to the early Iron Age. I've also made mokume-gane (in iron and copper alloys). I've had to learn goldsmithing, silversmithing, engraving, wood carving, etc for my work. I do sole-authorship work that requires a multi-disciplinary approach. I've since learned that each time I've picked up these skills... I was likely hypomanic. Researching like crazy, buying books, buying new tools/equipment, spending, spending, spending. And then I would wake up and realize that I have not made a dime in a month... and then depression. So.. in some ways I think I owe where I am to this disorder when it comes to the art and the craft. But as soon as I start becoming successful in a financial way... I see butterflies. And then the connections that bind these butterflies to my reality. Those connections 'justify' my actions.. in my own head. So now I'm learning to see the red flags. One big is one is when I try to hide the butterflies from my wife. :-)

I was also diagnosed with atypical bipolar. I think the reason was because I have psychotic episodes outside of an actual manic or depressive episode. And he doesn't want to diagnose me as as psycho affective. That's all I can come up with. Who knows??

One person I know who was diagnosed with Atypical Bipolar Disorder was also addicted to alcohol. The pdoc/therapist believed this contributed to rapid cycling and further exacerbated her symptoms that were already there. Also, the way she would cycle would not follow the "classic/typical" patterns commonly found in BP1/2, so I she said this is why the pdoc gave her the "Atypical Bipolar" diagnosis.

I believe that atypical BP disorder can also mean that mania or hypomania is experienced as extreme, severe anxiety.

Thanks folks. Well ..at least.. part of it seems to be the rapid cycling thing. Which on a smaller scale.. I can see happening with me. But... I suppose I will find out this week when I go back to the pdoc.