How Bipolar are You?

Depends on the time period. When my BP started to present in college, I was probably a 2-3. Years later when I became manic and psychotic and went through several hospitalizations for it, I would peg myself a 10. At present whilst well-controlled on meds, I’d say I’m back down to a 2-3.

My present doctor who I’ve had for almost two years has never seen me in a major episode. He maintains my present treatment course which I was put on a couple years ago, and we’re very slowly and carefully peeling back the layers of my medications. I’ve successfully gone off Depakote, since it began destroying my liver. Now we’re backing off on the Latuda, and over the last three months I’ve gone from 80 to 40mg with no adverse effects.

My Lamictal has gone up to 300mg ER, and that seems to be doing the most work to keep me out of episodes. Actually I think it’s a combo of that and some amino acids I started taking early this year. Who knows.

I think I might be in a bit of a dangerous spot, as I’m starting to think I might not be BP in the first place. That’s not a serious/pervasive thought, since I remember my last episode very clearly. However, if there’s any chance I can reduce or eliminate some of these meds, I’m all for it. Latuda is next on my list of elimination targets; maybe in a few months I’ll be off of it and we’ll see what happens.

Anyway, to answer the original question - I’m not very bipolar at present. Or at least I’m not presenting much in the way of symptoms.

Waaaaaaaaaay up there! I'd give it an 8.5 only because of no psychosis...

Right now a 9.5 . Typically a 5- 6

Just took the Bipolar quiz...

Results of your
Bipolar Test
Mania Score: 18
Depression Score: 37
Possible Diagnosis: Bipolar I

I've been Bipolar II ll for most of my life...primarily depressive with mixed features and rapid cycling. Guess these quizzes aren't one size fits all...?

At my worst I was a 9, especially during my psychotic manias with mixed features. I wouldn't say a 10, because I was never arrested or strapped down in the hospital for long periods, though I was dragged into the isolation room many times and once followed around the psych ward by a psych security guard. Once I did have some kind of mixed manic panic attack where I screamed non-stop to a 911 operator feeling like I was going to die and that the devil was after me. Six cops showed up at my house. I had locked myself out. I wanted the cops to take me away to safety. All I did was scream continuously until my husband got home, luckily not too long afterwards. Really, some of my worst times I don't even remember. I had manic blackouts. I believe some of the times were traumatic. Really, my recovery has been a very long and hard road, I think because of some of the trauma related to my worst years.

Now I'm still on disability, but range from 3-6. I've tried to do some limited part-time volunteer work, but it always triggers a mood episode. I have managed to take a few online college courses (just one per semester) and did well. There are days when I feel almost normal, but issues like energy levels make it difficult for me to feel "normal". Hopefully that will come in the future when my Seroquel XR is reduced again. I'd like to be able to have a full active day and not suffer the consequences for days afterwards.

That's a really tough question to answer. In the past doctors: you know your really, really sick right. Me: I'm good. For a long time up until currently. Me: I'm really struggling. Docs: You're more capable than you make it out be. Me: Loses it. Inpatient Docs: Maybe state hospital? Me: You've gotta be kitten me right meow.

Tough question.

Most days I don't even feel bipolar, but some days I really feel it. I have been stable for a while but I still I think I am about a 7-8 on the bipolar scale.

If you read my file entries in my blog, apparently very bipolar.

Currently I'm at 0 and have been for nearly 5 years now I think.

In the years when I was most symptomatic, I sat probably around a 4-5 on average, mainly because I sat in depression -- mania was rarely my issue. When I was in a real crisis and mixed state, at those times when I was hospitalized, I probably was at an 8.

I have been cycling lately so it hard for me to put a number on it. So I ask my wife of 21 years?
She sad that I was a 4 on meds. With out meds. A 8 or 9.

Enough that it’s annoying