Bipolar 101 -- Answers to basic questions

In general ppl are misdiagnosed with all kinds of mental problems until the **** really hits the fan (unfortunately).

Yes it worked for me helping with depression the short term memory lost for me was not permanent.

I am new here. I have been receiving treatment for over 20 years bipolar, PTSD, severe anxiety and ADD. I take several medications and see a psychiatrist for my mental illness. I have no coping skills so dealing with life events are difficult. My question is: Does mental illness tend to get worse as you get older? It seems the older I get the more problems I develop. I didn't have ADD/ADHD as a child I was just diagnosed 2 years ago with it. I have developed social anxiety in the last 7 years. I used to be so out going now I'm afraid to go anywhere. Can there be a chance of any of this being a side effect of all the medication?

What medications are you taking?
There's always a possibility of any illness worsening over time, esp when it goes unchecked. Sometimes Bipolar can look similar to ADHD/ADD. Anxiety is an entirely different monster. However, recognizing that you lack coping skills is actually a positive thing. It's hard to improve something when a person either doesn't see it or denies it. My suggestion would be to find a counselor, therapist, social worker or someone along those lines that will help you learn coping skills and how to apply them in order to achieve your goals in life. Hang in there. Mental illnesses sucks but it takes a strong person to get up everyday and battle life. Congratulate yourself on being a very strong person

Hi not sure if I have bipolar II , as I have not seen a doctor but any advice would be welcome
I have had a major manic episode since January, it's been quite fabulous , loads of energy , very little sleep ,belle of the ball and not the least bit unnerving , but I am left with a horrible feeling of sadness/emptiness all the time which is the worst part
Calming down somewhat now but still feeling so alone
Will this feeling go eventually ?

can one become bipolar due to head trauma/car accident as an adult?

Depends. Sometimes stress and trauma can trigger a mental illness, which means you may have had dormant bipolar disorder. Other times, you get bipolar-like symptoms from a brain injury (e.g., diffuse axonal injury), but it is not bipolar.

Bipolar sometimes feels good, doesnt it? I only feel the highs and feel alive when I know how deep the lows can be. Although meanwhile I know that being too high means it will be followed by a low but for the time being I enjoy it.
Or is that an abnormal thought?

I think that's a thought we've all had. So I'd say it's pretty normal; to want to ride that high (even knowing what's coming after). I know I've been there.

quote=mysteriousstar;791263]is this heradatory? do you start as adhd then go to bipolor or schizo? my kids have devloped mental illness and the dr said we wil worry when the time is right.. drives me nutty..[/quote]
From what I understand, it could be. I know that you're more likely to have it if someone else in your family has it. Like, I have it, and my late nephew had it [he passed away several years ago]. I also have another nephew with schizophrenia, another one with PTSD and chronic pain, and another who's a psychopath. I'm pretty sure that my son and one of my sisters have some type of un-diagnosed MI. There is also a lot of alcoholism and drug addiction in my family.

Sorry for the rant. I am rooting for you. I know it can be nerve wracking.

Being newly diagnosed with BP II I don't know how to react or feel. I have told a select few of my family and friends but some of them are not helping because they just want to deny anything is wrong with me.

Are you saying you don't know how to feel in regards to your friends and family's opinions of your diagnosis or just the general feelings of having a diagnosis?
It will take friends and family a while to understand what you are dealing with. Ask them to be patient and have patience with them as they try to learn and interact. It's all about communication.

I'm talking about both myself and those around me. I thought that of all the people involved, my mom would get it. All she wants to do is blame herself because her side of the family does have a history of MI. My grandfather I believe was bipolar and I have an aunt who is BP I. I blame myself for letting things get this bad and just don't know what to do.

Bipolar Disorder can be hereditary. As far as starting as ADHD & going into Bipolar, I'm not 100% certain, but I have read some articles where they do talk about how they can go hand in hand in some cases at least. If you are concerned about them I would maybe seek a second opinion.

I do believe bipolar is genetic.
With regard to ADHD becoming bipolar, I think that's a case of misdiagnosis and revision when the pattern of cycling becomes clear at a later age.

Recently i have been told by a T that adhd can develop into bipolar

I read your post nt2132 and live in a fairly large city with very good health insurance. My primary care referred me to a psychologist and I was treated pretty much the same way as you were. I do not think I am bipolar but have a severe case of PTSD and depression.

Upon my follow up visit with the primary care doctor I let him know my feed back. I said this is a sad day to know that no one has the time on day for you unless you are ready to jump off a building i.e. you know what I am talking about. I let him know I had found my own therapist. This therapist has help me more than anyone I have seen in 17 years of therapy with EMDR treatments. I personally have seen several therapist and psychologist. I do not like cognitive behavioral therapy the EMDR treatments works much better it takes time but I can already see a difference in only a few months.

We as an aging society need more people going into this field of work with kindness and compassion for those who are hurting. This is a great field for college students...

Hugs
💗

I've recently been diagnosed as Bipolar 2, after 20+ years of (mostly) unsuccessful treatment for chronic depression and a generalized anxiety disorder. I am also in the process of getting a diagnosis for adult female ADHD (which is so funny to me since I think of hyperactivity as physical, not as the mental issue I deal with!). Anyway. I was wondering if there are any others on here who have had a similar late diagnosis, and what their progress is like being treated correctly? I could use an understanding friend or two.

There's a chance it's a side effect, but mental illness changes over time - same as our bodies get older and less effective, so do our minds. We also adapt to medications and they become less effective. Mention to your psychiatrist your concerns. That's what they are there for.

I'm bi polar ready not having good result with medication

I read the bipolar disorder book for dummies and actually learned a lot about my disorder and triggers and making a backup plan for emergencies. Chock full of information i was writing so much in the margins the book is well read.

I too was recently diagnosed Bipolar 2 after 30 years of basically untreated depression, panic attacks and anxiety. My family doc initially prescribed cipralex (escitalopram) 10mg which within a few days unbeknownst to me I was hypomanic. I knew I felt great but didn't realize this was a problem until I saw him for a follow up. He then added epival (divalproex) 250 mg 2x/day. It made me very nauseous so quit both meds. Went into a depression so tried both together again, I stuck with it longer and it did help even me out but couldn't stand the nausea so again quit. I've been cycling from moderate highs to lows since but nothing too out of control. Waiting to see pdoc in a few weeks, see what he says.
But I guess from a lot of what I've read, it takes a while to get the right med combo.
GOOD LUCK!

I too have been trying to figure out what is wrong with me. It's been 30 years and finally it was decided that I have BP and BPD. Along with some other stuff too. I'm going to my Pdoc tomorrow. I may have to try lithium or atypical antipsychotics. Anyone doing well with there meds? I'm curious about side effects and what others experience. Thanks!

I asked my pdoc to put me on lithium out of desperation, but it did nothing for me except cause SI. What helped me was a combo of 300 mg Wellbutrin, 300 mg Effexor, .05 mg Xanax and 120 Latuda. I seem to be drug resistant.