[Claireee]

Hello, my name is Claire and I'm 18 years old.

I went to see a psychologist last week because I've been suffering from mood swings (and have taken antidepressants a while back), and we talked about the things I have been struggling with for these past few years. I go up, and I go down. She brought up bipolar disorder. I had been thinking about that as well, but wasn’t sure that my ups was severe enough to be called hypomania. It’ll take another month before I see her again (and she can say more about a possible diagnosis), but I was wondering if you guys can shed some light on my symptoms.

Personally, I’m pretty sure my depression is severe enough for the diagnosis (it covers almost all major depression episode symptoms), but my ups don’t really hit all symptoms. Most of the time, when I am feeling really good, it’s because of an obsession. I become totally absorbed with it, because of that I also need less sleep (but not so severe that we’re talking only 3 to 4 hours a night). I’ve always had obsessions. When I was younger, it used to be a tv show or celebrity most of the time. These past few years, my obsessions have grown stronger.
Every so often, I come up with ‘the greatest idea ever’ and the ‘best way to live your life’ and drop it after a few months, weeks or sometimes even days!. Doesn’t matter if it’s writing a screenplay, writing a novel, songwriting, becoming a minimalist, learning to play the piano / guitar, diving deep into cryptocurrency (and spending all my savings on it), learning everything I can about homicide / police-work, becoming obsessed with photography (and buying an 800$ camera on impulse), being sure that I’m going to run a marathon the upcoming year, wanting to do two majors at once, or study criminology in England, or not wanting to study at all because it’s ‘not necessary’, I’m going to start my own business anyway, cutting out sugar completely because I’m a ‘healthy person’, never eating fast food again, waking up at 6 am every single morning for the rest of my life, being sure blogging is my calling or wanting to work in a hotel / restaurant because that is ‘the greatest job ever’. Just to name a few.
It’s like I can never fully commit to something, because as soon as I start making some progress with my current obsession, I already move on to the next or fall into a black hole. Being so obsessed with something and being sure this is the thing I was ‘born to do’ or that it is ‘going to change everything’ feels great, as long as it lasts. When I drop something again, I feel like a failure and don’t really see any meaning in life. It becomes dull, and like I said, I probably fall into a depression episode again.
These ups don’t really interfere with my functioning (my depression episodes really do, though). I can still be disciplined enough to do my homework (although my mind will probably be on my obsession most of the time). I talk faster, but not so fast I become incomprehensible.
I am just really frustrated because I know something is up, I’ve been experiencing these ups and downs for three years now, but they seem to get worse.


Thank you for reading, what do you guys think? Does this look like bipolar or something close, or is it too ‘mild’? Do you get more obsessive when you’re hypomanic?

Yes, i get more obsessive when i'm hypomanic. I've had religious obsessions and renovation obsessions. But you're correct in trying to assess whether it impacts your functionality or not. That is the key question. For me, it does. I get acute insomnia and i can deteriorate into anxiety or paranoia or agoraphobia. It's fun when it starts tho. Sometimes it winds down gently back into depression. Crashing is no fun.

Your obsessions sound pretty fun. You have a wide variety of interests. Maybe you just have a bit of a magpie mind? You're right to see a professional as it's only them that can diagnose you. My info is just for sharing purposes. Hugs, Jane.

[Wild Coyote]

Hi Claireee,

Welcome to PC.

I hope you find the information and the support you may be seeking.
Please make yourself at home. Jump in wherever you feel led to do so.

Your first 5 posts are approved by a moderator before they appear. After 5 approved posts, you will also have access to chatrooms and to the Private Messaging (PM) system.

I hope to see you around the forums.


WC

[Under*Over]

I get this. Really, I spend a lot more time depressed than I do hypomanic/manic. A LOT more. Its not uncommon. In fact, I read one article where it said that with bipolar 1 people spend 10 times as much time depressed as they do manic/hypomanic. And with bipolar 2 it is 40 times as much time depressed as hypomanic on average.

Its different for everyone but I think people dont realize that actually- it isnt CONSTANTLY up and down- there IS time in between where you are just... in the middle. Not everyone experiences mania/hypomania the same way. There are some who instead of getting euphoric get dysphoric/have mixed episodes. Some get really excited, some get really agitated. Really, there are all sorts of different episodes.

Look them up. Bipolar terms. Mixed episodes. Dysphoric mania. Agitated depression. Rapid cycling. Some think anxiety can be a symptom of bipolar disorder. There are all sorts of good articles. No one here can diagnose you, but you CAN prepare yourself, learn about it, so you can have better prepared questions for your next appointment.

Heres some really interesting bipolar research, some lesser known things about the disorder instead of just the list of impersonal extremes yoj get other places
.
Anxiety and Bipolar Disorder | PsychEducation

[Camille040412]

Originally Posted by Claireee

Hello, my name is Claire and I'm 18 years old.

I went to see a psychologist last week because I've been suffering from mood swings (and have taken antidepressants a while back), and we talked about the things I have been struggling with for these past few years. I go up, and I go down. She brought up bipolar disorder. I had been thinking about that as well, but wasn’t sure that my ups was severe enough to be called hypomania. It’ll take another month before I see her again (and she can say more about a possible diagnosis), but I was wondering if you guys can shed some light on my symptoms.

Personally, I’m pretty sure my depression is severe enough for the diagnosis (it covers almost all major depression episode symptoms), but my ups don’t really hit all symptoms. Most of the time, when I am feeling really good, it’s because of an obsession. I become totally absorbed with it, because of that I also need less sleep (but not so severe that we’re talking only 3 to 4 hours a night). I’ve always had obsessions. When I was younger, it used to be a tv show or celebrity most of the time. These past few years, my obsessions have grown stronger.
Every so often, I come up with ‘the greatest idea ever’ and the ‘best way to live your life’ and drop it after a few months, weeks or sometimes even days!. Doesn’t matter if it’s writing a screenplay, writing a novel, songwriting, becoming a minimalist, learning to play the piano / guitar, diving deep into cryptocurrency (and spending all my savings on it), learning everything I can about homicide / police-work, becoming obsessed with photography (and buying an 800$ camera on impulse), being sure that I’m going to run a marathon the upcoming year, wanting to do two majors at once, or study criminology in England, or not wanting to study at all because it’s ‘not necessary’, I’m going to start my own business anyway, cutting out sugar completely because I’m a ‘healthy person’, never eating fast food again, waking up at 6 am every single morning for the rest of my life, being sure blogging is my calling or wanting to work in a hotel / restaurant because that is ‘the greatest job ever’. Just to name a few.
It’s like I can never fully commit to something, because as soon as I start making some progress with my current obsession, I already move on to the next or fall into a black hole. Being so obsessed with something and being sure this is the thing I was ‘born to do’ or that it is ‘going to change everything’ feels great, as long as it lasts. When I drop something again, I feel like a failure and don’t really see any meaning in life. It becomes dull, and like I said, I probably fall into a depression episode again.
These ups don’t really interfere with my functioning (my depression episodes really do, though). I can still be disciplined enough to do my homework (although my mind will probably be on my obsession most of the time). I talk faster, but not so fast I become incomprehensible.
I am just really frustrated because I know something is up, I’ve been experiencing these ups and downs for three years now, but they seem to get worse.


Thank you for reading, what do you guys think? Does this look like bipolar or something close, or is it too ‘mild’? Do you get more obsessive when you’re hypomanic?

Hi Claire,

A bipolar diagnosis is a tricky one, It can take years for a doctor to finally diagnose it. I was finally diagnosed at 23 last year after dealing with mental health issues since 15. Everyone's bipolar disorder is different, I like to think of it kind of like a spectrum. My mania is definitely more mild as opposed to severe, which is why it took so long for me to get a diagnosis. My mania is now kind of irritability, high anxiety, and then some euphoria, which typically does not last long. I used to have moderate mania before I went on medications, so I guess you can call this my "modified" mania since It has become more mild with the medications. Are you on any medications right now? When I was a younger it was the antidepressants that triggered mine. Did you start to experience these symptoms while taking the anti-depressants. This played a large role in getting my diagnosis.

[Under*Over]

Originally Posted by Camille040412

Hi Claire,

A bipolar diagnosis is a tricky one, It can take years for a doctor to finally diagnose it. I was finally diagnosed at 23 last year after dealing with mental health issues since 15. Everyone's bipolar disorder is different, I like to think of it kind of like a spectrum. My mania is definitely more mild as opposed to severe, which is why it took so long for me to get a diagnosis. My mania is now kind of irritability, high anxiety, and then some euphoria, which typically does not last long. I used to have moderate mania before I went on medications, so I guess you can call this my "modified" mania since It has become more mild with the medications. Are you on any medications right now? When I was a younger it was the antidepressants that triggered mine. Did you start to experience these symptoms while taking the anti-depressants. This played a large role in getting my diagnosis.

Yep, I got diagnosed because of my reaction to antidepressants in large part myself.

Thats a good question to ask. Op, how do antidepressants work for you?

[Guiness187055]

I am not a doctor so take this with a grain of salt. I am very similar to you. The reactions to anti depressants and the obsessions makes you a good canidate for bipolar. Again I am not a doctor.

[Unrigged64072835]

When I'm hypo/manic, I'm focused on one thing and quite obsessed about it. I spend weeks and even months on it. But there's other things like lack of sleep, lack of eating, irritability at being called off to do other stuff, etc.

You may want to take a copy of your original post and see a psychiatrist.

[wiretwister]

I have never been obsessed .... lol ... welcome ... good people here .... lot of support .... I believe helping any unwanted symptoms first ... a dx means nothing except to insurance companies ...

Be careful and don't diagnose yourself. Even if you are diagnosed, try natural remedies first. Meditation and healthy lifestyle.

[Wander]

I agree . Don’t diagnose yourself. It will only make you anxious then confused when you gets proper diagnosis. Psychologists are usually trained to diagnose but psychiatrists are the best and most accurate. No rush though. As Elsa said try the usual exercise, healthy diet, good sleep routine, balanced work, social, and rest way of living while wou are waiting to see the professionals. You may be one of those people who can manage this without meds, which is of course a better outcome.

Keep posting and stay safe.