Bipolar?

So I'm grasping at straws here but it seems possible that my issues might be better explained under a diagnosis of bipolar than what I usually get: PTSD, Depression, OCD. I'm hoping you all can offer your insights.

Here's the relevant concerns both pro and con for my suspicions:

- My current diagnosis doesn't seem to completely explain what I go through

- I have extreme highs and lows. Sometimes I am filled with energy, am extremely positive, very creative, optimistic, have excited daydreams, work fast, think quickly, extremely outgoing, euphoric, etc. Then other times I'm severely depressed, am pessimistic about my prospects, tend to withdraw, have suicidal ideation, and have lots of anxiety.

- Regardless of a high or low state, I'm always interested in sex. However a high state does up my appetite for it.

- When I'm in a high state I love it and really, I want to be like that all the time.

- My highs and lows sometimes cycle VERY quickly. As I understand it, bipolar features highs or lows that last weeks. That's not me. I can change day by day and sometimes within the SAME day. On top of the world one moment, crashing the next.

- My highs don't feature delusions. I don't break with reality. I might be exceedingly positive or negative but both states are connected to reality. For example, I am a screenwriter and during my highs I'm convinced I'm about to get my big break. During my lows, I'm a hack and should just give it up.

- When I'm feeling "neutral" I still have a lot of background anxiety.

- I don't have a lot of black and white thinking and I'm not disorganized.

- I manage to live a pretty functional life despite all my problems.

So what do you guys think? As I've indicated, I'm not convinced of anything at this point. I'm just fishing.

Any input is great and if you need more info or clarification to offer an opinion, just ask.

And don't worry, I know most of you aren't doctors.

Cyran0

Sounds possible to me, but then again I'm a kid (pretty much ).

Bipolar can cycle like that; it's called rapid cycling. Also, plenty of bipolar people don't hit complete breaks with reality and can still function (during episodes, it's possible that you. Black and white thinking, as well as disorganized thinking, are more signs of schizophrenia than bipolar disorder, but I may be wrong. On the note of the anxiety, bipolar can occur with other disorders as well, so it could be a straight up anxiety disorder to explain that.

Overall, that does sound like you might be right. Just a few questions:

Do your meds keep you cycling or inhibit it somewhat? (A lot of antidepressants can trigger manic episodes.)

Do you see a psychiatrist, and if so, have you told him/her about this?

I wish you the best of luck with replies and getting this figured out.

Thanks Ellipse.

I don't know how the meds are effecting the cycling because I don't take much and what I do take I've been on for years. I take 100mg zoloft daily and that's it. I've always assumed that the benefit I get from zoloft is to help ward off lows a bit. But what do I know?

I don't currently have a therapist or pdoc. However, I'm shopping for both.

Cyran0

Try researching bipolar II - that's my husbands latest diagnosis. What you describe sounds quite similar to him. Apparently difficult to diagnose because there's no full-blown mania. He also has had no delusions and has led a relatively functional life till recently. Initial diagnosis was depression. He's been very lucky though - has a good psychiatrist. Best of luck finding the right pdoc.

Also suggesting research on bipolar II. A lot of what you said sounds like bipolar, but then again, it might not be it.

Are you seeing a therapist right now? You should ask what they think, and maybe print the list of your symptoms (or just tell if you remember all of it ).

I guess a lot of bipolar folks can lead a pretty functional life, but it helps if you get the right meds, especially if you get suicidal when you're depressed.

Research bipolar II. I will do that and thank you for your input. It seemed to me the best way to get an initial idea if this was a possible diagnosis was to ask people who know the disease first hand. I'm glad I asked.

Cyran0

Here's a few things you should know about bipolar

- Average bipolars cycle 4 times per year
- Bipolars can cycle daily, but that's called ultradian cycling; it's very rare
- Severe manics can have mixed states where they experience symptoms of both disorders
- The average age of onset for bipolar symptoms is 17 years old
- Psychotic features (i.e. delusions) only occur in very severe cases

Here are a few more things that make differentiating depression and bipolar difficult:
- SSRIs like sertraline (Zoloft) are well known to occasionally induce mania in certain, genetically predisposed patients. This iatrogenic mania does not count towards a diagnosis of true bipolar disorder. (They're separate)
- Many depressed patients coming out of a depression feel manic when they're actually just normal. They're just regaining their normal functioning, and it feels a bit over the top.

I'm not sure this will clear much up for you, but it should make you a little bit more informed. I'd consult a psychiatrist. It's possible your Zoloft induces mania, and s/he may want to add a mood stabilizer.