Bipolar 101 -- Answers to basic questions

Beholden · Apr 05, 2016 at 09:40 PM

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

Apr 06, 2016 at 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beholden

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.

Fizzyo · Apr 13, 2016 at 03:47 PM

pearlys · Apr 19, 2016 at 04:47 PM

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?

cmorales · Apr 25, 2016 at 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pearlys

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.

shortandcute · Jun 04, 2016 at 10:00 AM

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.

JustJace2u · Jun 05, 2016 at 03:16 PM

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.

Polar Pixie · Jun 05, 2016 at 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustJace2u

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.

JustJace2u · Jun 05, 2016 at 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polar Pixie

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.

JustJace2u · Jun 09, 2016 at 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mysteriousstar

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..

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.

Daonnachd · Jun 10, 2016 at 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustJace2u

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.

pearlys · Jun 18, 2016 at 09:49 PM

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

Vega Girl 1976 · Jun 20, 2016 at 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicrocks

i totally know how you feel!

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
💗

crazyincanada · Jun 29, 2016 at 02:43 PM

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.

crazyincanada · Jun 29, 2016 at 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rckinr1

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?

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.

otisdog · Aug 25, 2016 at 05:26 PM

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

dmhobbit · Dec 01, 2016 at 01:54 AM

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.

liveforsummer · Jun 03, 2017 at 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyincanada

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.

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!

Cimarron · Jul 26, 2017 at 12:27 PM

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!

1978dd · Sep 04, 2017 at 11:25 AM

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.

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Bipolar 101 -- Answers to basic questions

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Beholden Grand Poohbah Member Since Jan 2009 Location: In my watercolor paints and garden a lot. Posts: 1,821 15 140 hugs given	Apr 05, 2016 at 09:40 PM #281 can one become bipolar due to head trauma/car accident as an adult? __________________
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Fizzyo Grand Magnate Member Since Jan 2015 Location: UK Posts: 3,282 9 3,980 hugs given	Apr 13, 2016 at 03:47 PM #283
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JustJace2u Grand Poohbah Member Since May 2016 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,928 8 1,346 hugs given	Jun 05, 2016 at 03:16 PM #287 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.
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otisdog New Member Member Since Aug 2016 Location: visalia Posts: 3 8	Aug 25, 2016 at 05:26 PM #296 I'm bi polar ready not having good result with medication
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Cimarron Member Member Since Jul 2017 Location: A happy place. Posts: 34 7 1 hugs given	Jul 26, 2017 at 12:27 PM #299 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!
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1978dd Member Member Since Jan 2017 Location: Midwest Posts: 144 7	Sep 04, 2017 at 11:25 AM #300 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.
	Reply With Quote