[skysblue]

Yesterday my T suggested that I may suffer from BP II. I am skeptical but I've spent a few hours since my session to research this condition.

I've tried to look back on my own personal history to try to detect if that diagnosis could be true. I'm not sure.

I've seen my T for more than 6 years and this has never been mentioned before. She HAS seen me struggle with bouts of depression. Those bouts would last from a few days to a few weeks.

But what's different now is that I experienced a few weeks ago a elevated energy surge. I loved it. I was focused and almost obsessive with new projects. I slept less/ate less and loved that because that's not my norm. I felt positive and confident and felt my life had turned a positive corner.

Then I crashed.

Has anyone ever experienced this type of mood swings later in life and is it really BPII or can it be just normal moodiness?

I'm confused and a bit scared too. T is talking about maybe taking meds. About 4 years ago I took an antidepressant for about a year and it helped a lot and then was able to discontinue.

When my emotions are flat, like now, I suspect that I've been over-exaggerating my moods to my T. I don't trust myself.

I've been on PC for a few years in the psychotherapy forum but have never visited this forum.

Can some of you with confirmed BPII share your experiences so that I can understand it better? Thanks

I wouldn't get too hung up on a bipolar diagnosis if the most thing you are seeing elevated is a surge of energy and positivity. Doesn't sound like it caused you any problems in itself. Perhaps you are just reaching a point where you are finding a more positive, energetic spot at times whereas in your past that just hasn't been your experience? You said you crashed, but how bad was that crash? Was it serious suicidal, dangerous depression? Much depends on the extent of those mood levels. If this has only happened once, perhaps just something to keep an eye on rather than jumping onto the bipolar med wagon (which can create its own issues).

[Sunflower123]

Your therapist might have seen your surge in energy, elevated mood, confidence and productivity as an episode of hypomania. She may have put that together with your bouts of depression and thought it might be bipolar 2. Has she suggested you see a pdoc for meds? When do you see her again? What's the next step? Try not to be overly worried....it sounds like she just thinks you might have it. Best wishes.

[bioChE]

Your therapist would know better than any of us, as they have seen you multiple times and I assume in multiple moods. I don't believe a single bout of hypomania without it having a negative effect on your life is enough to diagnose as BPII. There's a list of hypomanic symptoms as spelled out by the DSM, and you need to meet a threshold number of those symptoms to actually be diagnosed.

If you're concerned, I'd consult a psychiatrist rather than a therapist. They'll get a history, evaluate your present mood, and should be able to make a determination in no more than a couple visits at most. Best of luck on the journey. Regardless the answer, you're welcome to post here and we'll answer as best we can.

[Wild Coyote]

I had always been diagnosed with Atypical Depression. Sometime in the past 2 years, my pdoc changed this to BP II, so it can happen. I don't think my illness has changed. I think my pdoc finally saw the signs and the DSM has changed.

There's a chance your therapist is just thinking out loud and is simply questioning this possibility. There is another condition referred to as cyclothymia, which is similar yet the mood swings are less dramatic than BP II.

Welcome to this forum, by the way. You needn't have a firm diagnosis to participate here. Maybe hang out a bit, ask questions and see what you think?

As BioChe has mentioned, and I agree, make sure you final diagnosis comes from your psychiatrist, as they are best trained to diagnose.

I hope to see you around the forum.

WC

[skysblue]

Originally Posted by Jennifer 1967

Your therapist might have seen your surge in energy, elevated mood, confidence and productivity as an episode of hypomania.

I can recall only 2 episodes in my life that could be categorized as hypomania. The first one was preceded by a deep depression and segued into another deep depression. AND, it precipitated actions that ruined my life for awhile. But that was some years ago.

I think I may have been experiencing the mania at the same time as the depression. I lost interest in everything else. I neglected my responsibilities and focused on only that that interested me.

The most recent episode was striking because it felt so good. I had emerged from a mild depression and was on fire for about 3 weeks. I was supremely motivated, very focused, didn't need much sleep or food (very unusual for me). I loved it. I felt I was finally on track with my life. Finally, I thought, I had turned a corner. I was obsessed with a project I was involved in.

Then last week, I crashed. Not severely. But I could no longer attend to the projects that so interested me before. I became listless and somber. It hurt so much the sense of emptiness and loneliness.

I guess I'm not worried about having hypomania. In my case, I enjoyed the feeling of exuberant self confidence, focused attention, and enhanced productivity. I like that. And I'd be pleased if it returned, if I could keep myself from becoming unbalanced.

So, it's probably not problematic experiencing the hypomania and so treating the depression will be more important, right?

[Wild Coyote]

It depends on what the hypomania is like.
My doctor treats my hypomania.
The depressions need treatment and are likely more difficult to treat.


WC

[halus1]

I was diagnosed later in life - I'm 58 now and was diagnosed after a huge manic episode about 6 years ago. I had been taking antidepressants on and off for about 7 or 8 years I think and every time I stopped them I would get manic. The last time was very serious - I left the country and flew all over the world. I blew 50 thousand dollars in less than a month and don't even remember quite a bit of it. I vaguely remember one period when I was awake for about 4 days - I had a villa in Bali and was washing all of my clothes in my pool in the middle of the night. Lots of other very strange stuff too which I thought was reasonable at the time.

I've been trying to work out what happened to me - I suspect that before I had periods of elevated mood but I wasn't aware of it or the benzos I took for many years somehow masked the symptoms. I think maybe the SSRI's really brought it to a head as well - it's become much worse anyway.

My psych never said I was bipolar 1 or 2 but I have all the symptoms of bipolar 1 - my mania is very severe. My therapist said it was like a text-book example of a manic episode - it scared the hell out of me.

[halus1]

Originally Posted by skysblue

I can recall only 2 episodes in my life that could be categorized as hypomania. The first one was preceded by a deep depression and segued into another deep depression. AND, it precipitated actions that ruined my life for awhile. But that was some years ago.

I think I may have been experiencing the mania at the same time as the depression. I lost interest in everything else. I neglected my responsibilities and focused on only that that interested me.

The most recent episode was striking because it felt so good. I had emerged from a mild depression and was on fire for about 3 weeks. I was supremely motivated, very focused, didn't need much sleep or food (very unusual for me). I loved it. I felt I was finally on track with my life. Finally, I thought, I had turned a corner. I was obsessed with a project I was involved in.

Then last week, I crashed. Not severely. But I could no longer attend to the projects that so interested me before. I became listless and somber. It hurt so much the sense of emptiness and loneliness.

I guess I'm not worried about having hypomania. In my case, I enjoyed the feeling of exuberant self confidence, focused attention, and enhanced productivity. I like that. And I'd be pleased if it returned, if I could keep myself from becoming unbalanced.

So, it's probably not problematic experiencing the hypomania and so treating the depression will be more important, right?

From what I've read that does sound like mild mania. I guess if it doesn't get any worse than that then you'll be able to handle it okay. All the best anyway.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

PsychEducation | Treating the Mood Spectrum is a really good place to learn about bipolar, especially BPII. It's written by a psychiatrist who specializes in BP and has a lot of information about anything you might want to know. He's written a book but everything in the book (plus some since the book is old) is on the website.

[CherryGlazer]

I am BP II myself. Like you, I have always been less concerned about the ups.

However the meds for it have really helped prevent both the ups (to my regret) but the crashes that followed as well.

I think if you are on medication that helps you right now (regardless of your diagnosis) that's all that matters. The study of what mental illnesses actually ARE is tricky.

The common consensus is that they are not homogenous (there is variety in how people experience symptoms even with the same diagnosis - as well as some differences in genes involved person by person)

The DSM is a guide but it's not foolproof. It's more important to look at the experiential facts - in regards to what kind of treatment helps, at the end of the day.

Hope this helps