Bipolar 101 -- Answers to basic questions

A bipolar diagnosis is not to be taken lightly. And if you need meds, you will have to get a psychiatrist's diagnosis, because psychologists can't prescribe. So it's probably best to get that verified by a psychiatrist, and with something like this, a second opinion is not a bad idea either.

I actually got a bipolar ii dx four times before the psychiatrist's office made it official and started prescribing mood stabilizers. There was no way I was going to accept this diagnosis and those meds if I didn't feel sure it was for real. And I'm actually still not entirely convinced, but by the time the fifth mental health professional said "bipolar" I figured it was time to get with the program.

I had a full (12 sessions) course of ECT for a major depressive episode and it had no effect on my depression, if anything it worsened. It's touted as a reset for mania too, but I have seen with that it just knocks you on your *** mentally, but you can still be hyperactive, and with these side effects. I only came out of depression when I shot into mania 6 months later and I was offered it again! I suffered the side effects, mainly memory loss, and confusion, it also effected my verbal skills and there was some definite cognitive impairment (reading) for three months and I didn't feel I fully recovered for 3 years. It changed the effectiveness of my mood stabilizers and antipsychotics. It works for some and I had no other options, as I couldn't shake the suicidal ideation and I do recommend it only as a last resort. I have been treated 7 times at a hospital that champions it's use and many improve drastically while many find it another hurtle. You will need support because you can't drive and it's not even a good idea to use a stove. . .For some it can be a faster and safer road than meds, and certainly better than hospitalization. The process is modernized and painless, but with my mind at it's end to have the burden's of it's side effects shocked me, butted me out of school for a semester, and I would not mark it as improvement. Good luck, but proceed with caution. Watch the research numbers as with people with mood disorders tend to change no matter what gets thrown at you.

AniManiac- I've been going off of the assumption that I am for a few years now since I am unable to see a psychiatrist right now (my insurance doesn't cover it as far as I can tell, I'm looking into it) I don't believe in self-diagnosis or going off of internet diagnosis. The only reason I've been going off of the notion that I am is because the psychologist told me she was certain but wouldn't give me the official diagnosis without it being confirmed first.

Yeah, psychologists can't make official diagnoses, at least not that will work for getting job/school accommodations or disability, which is about as "official" as anything gets.

If you have insurance, you're probably covered to some extent for a psych visit - at least one for diagnostic purposes, anyway. You might need a referral from your GP/PCP to get it covered. It's worth digging out the insurance details and trying to figure it out. Mine requires a "specialist" copay but as long as they're within network, I can go without a referral. Under those conditions, my insurance covers one therapist/psychiatrist visit per day, no limits - I work for a university and there are enough crazies in academia that it's pretty wise of them to put no limits on mental health visits! It did take me awhile to figure out that's how it works for my insurance, though (like several months...)

Bipolar Disorder is often misdiagnosed as ADHD in children as was the case with me. Dr.s juggled me from on ADHD med to another and never found on that worked for me but as an adult I started seeing a therapist and got diagnosed as Bipolar. FYI, among the many symptoms I have, one of the things that made her realize I was BP was the ADHD meds make me violent.

randomactofclarebieness.wordpress.com/2011/12/18/bipolar-disorder
This is a blog I made about bipolar in people, mostly about teens but can be related to anyone with it. It's supposed to be non-frightening look at bipolar..Because I've noticed that many of the websites are very formal about it..So it can make you feel a bit scared.

Uhm.. I'm not exactly sure if this is the correct place to ask this but.. How can I know for sure I'm bipolar without seeing any therapist or anything? I mean.. Everything seems to point to me being bipolar, be it the quizes I've taken on this site or the many things I've read about bipolar disorder. I guess it would make sense that I'd have to see someone to know for sure but.. I can't really do that. It's got me really worried though because I don't want to be bipolar but the "maybe" hanging in the air bothers me.

The only way to be "sure" is to see a psychiatrist, and even then, professional opinions vary, so sometimes a second/third/etc diagnosis is a good idea. Therapists can give a tentative diagnosis but it is not "official" (usually) until someone with an MD gives the diagnosis.

It's not something to take lightly.

Yes its genetic. I've read a new theory that researchers have narrowed down the genetic code more closely. There is strong evidence of different brain structure and physiological differences as well.

My therapist said that Bipolar often seems to be ADHD in children and when older the mood swings become more apparent. he also said that adults with ADHD lose their hyperactivity thus, a hyperactive adult, ruling out stimulant or high caffeine use, is probably a hypomanic or manic episode. I told him without depression I'm always hyper so it must be ADHD, he said no that I just normally float on the high side. It makes sense.

You really need to have a doctor diagnose you preferably a psychiatrist. They are more knowledgeable and experienced than us and the psychiatrist specializes. IMO, you should never self-diagnose because then you will get caught up in the diagnosis rather than the treatment. It can start off worry and labeling and you might end up living the label which may be inaccurate.

I was diagnosed about a month ago with bipolar 2. I was severely depressed and extremely irritable! I would snap at the slightest thing and I got put on Lamictal. I've been doing all right, but I still screw up a lot and say stuff I really shouldn't without realizing it at first. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions about how to stop myself before I snap? I'm really having trouble controlling it lately and its getting me in some trouble. My therapist has made some suggestions, but it doesn't seem to work. Does anyone have any advice for a newbie?

I am not sure I am replying correctly, but how did your ECT therapy go?

I have just recently been hospitalized for a little over three weeks and was diagnosed with bipolar. My therapist/psychiatrist have me diagnosed with borderline personality there has always been a question about my diagnosis because i suffer with severe PTSD, anxiety, and depression most hospitalizations have been for these disorders or dual diagnosis drugs and these disorders but during this hospitalization it was different since i have been sober for 3 years prior to just before i was hospitalized they went over my history of hospitalization and treatment as well as my behavioral history and came up with bipolar i am of depakote and feel more stable then i ever remember despite still having mood swings, unfocus, PTSD issues, sleeplessness or depression with excessive sleep and reoccurring suicidal thoughts. my question is what are the syptoms or differences between borderline personality and bipolar and if my doctors don't support the hospital diagnosis what if anything i should do

Are there any other manic depressives on this site?

My question is pretty serious to me.. I am diagnosed bipolar 2 mixed.. mental illness is every which way in the family, My mother-MDD, My grandma MDD, My Uncle Bipolar, My youngest of 7 brothers-OCD, the list continues.. Back to my question, I have a younger brother who has always had depression problems, the older he got the more unstable he became, in his late teens he started changing, at first I thought he was bipolar to.. but his was really different than mine. He talks to other people.. in his head, very paranoid, thinks everyone is out to get him, he is different. His change in moods is extremely severe. Sometimes he will be talking and everything about him is gone.. the look on his face is complete emptiness/blankness, like his soul has left his body, its kinda scary, i always tap him on the forehead to get him to come back, he usually dont remember what we were talking about, He cant fit in anywhere we go, always makes a scene and people stare.. family talks about him like he is crazy. He is now 23, has had one failed relationship and a 2 yr old son. He has not been successful in holding a job, but his multiple personalities I wouldn't keep him working for me either, and I am very open about mental illness as I said I am Bipolar, He is severe .. something.. MY question is he is a young male with no insurance, no job, no address except mine. Other than me and my mother, the whole family has shunned him. He is currently living with me and my children, I dont believe he would ever hurt us intentionally, but sometimes when he is not him, I wander and I am very cautious of not making him the least bit upset. I have asked my psychiatrist and my therapist how to get him help with no insurance but neither could give me an answer. My brother needs help, I cant shun him, put him on the street, or pretend that he is ok when I know better. He has been emotionally hurt by so many family members and now has those issues also (which are pretty severe). I talk to him about the things he sees and hears and his stories.. and when i say stories I mean way out there couldnt have possibly happened but he really believes it. I never argue with him I just say ok and listen and sometimes go along adding to it. (not sure how healthy it is) I want him to have a sense of belonging.. I am scared for him everytime he walks out the house. My mother thanks me everyday for supporting him, but to be honest I barely afford to support my children and self, Im not 100% stable myself with my bipolar. I need to get him help so I can be sure 1) me and my kids are safe 2) not make myself sick worryin 3) because he is my baby brother and I know there is something seriously not right in his head, I would gladly give my ins up for him and deal with being an unstable depressed mess the rest of my life just to give him 1 day of saneness if i could. CAN ANYONE TELL ME HOW TO GET HIM HELP WITHOUT LOCKING HIM AWAY, HE DONT NEED THAT HE HAS HAD TO MUCH REJECTION AND EMOTIONAL HURT, BUT HE DOES NEED TO BE DIAGNOSED AND START TREATMENTS FOR WHATEVER HE HAS. he has agreed to go see a dr if i can find him help. he trust me (90% of the time) and after discussing it he agreed.. I NEED A DOCTOR TO SEE HIM!

I am not a doctor and can't diagnose but he sounds like my nephew who is schizophrenic. If you live in the US, you can go to the county mental health department and see a psychiatrist on a sliding scale. He may qualify for SSI, which a case manager can help him get, medicare, and food stamps. You first step is getting him connected with county mental health services.

Manic depression is the old name for bipolar disorder. You are on the bipolar site.

thank you. I am going to call around tomorrow and see what I can find. and yes i am on the bipolar site.. I just joined less than a month ago I think. its therapy without leaving the house.

I am Bipolar I and electroshock has not be proposed to me. I am currently on 100mg of Lamictal and 100mg of Wellbutrin SR, plus I am on 1.5 mg of Risperidal at night and 1.5mg of clonazapam split three times daily. I am hoping my doctor might change my Wellbutrin SR 100 to XL 300 or at least 150, I don't think what I am on is enough because of certain events that happened yesterday and the day before and the day before that. I have started smoking again because of the stress, and I had been doing so well in not smoking for a at least 3 weeks with no problems at all until all this unload of stress.

Yes I am Bipolar I. Manic Depressive. I am on several medications and still trying to get the correct amounts of the drugs. I have more manic days than depressive days, have trouble sleeping, but a good portion of my days are a combo. It is crazy.

I do the same thing but I am Bipolar I and on Lamictal. It is helping, but I think they need to be higher doses. The only thing I can offer is to stop and think before speaking, and trust me it is not easy. I am guilty of it myself, but I do sometimes stop before speaking. What were the suggestions your therapist gave you?

My 17 year old son was just diagnosed with bipolar and I am not sure I agree with the diagnosis

Hello ninjamel.
It is good to know someone understood what i meant and also has BP1. Mixed periods are hell i have to say i struggle allot with my temperment its like trying to balance an erratic swinging pendulum on a the razors edge. Lack of sleep sure does take its toll doesnt it, most people cant comprehend the fact that i have had periods of 6months were i slept less than an hour a night. Is it any wonder we get psychotic after 3-4 weeks without any sleep or food, its worse that it happens without even realising. One day you feel great next thing you know its been a months of excess destructive actions that you only have vauge recollections of. Just a empty bank account less friends and a notepad full of frantic scibbles associating song lyrics to newspaper headlines with obvious hidden meanings that had purposeful messages others are to slow and stupid to see.

I was refering to people with Bipolar 1 as apposed to bp2 or cyclothymia.

Borderline and bipolar have some common symptoms and traits. Borderlines are typically more unstable violent and manipulative. The borderline being the border between neurosis and psychosis, those with the disorder are believed to be torn between opposite feelings and ideas of what course of action to take constantly feeling conflicted. With a fragile sense of self, seeking constant reassurance, using attention seeking behaviour, self grandizement to try to ease there insecurity often self harming and self destructive. The duration of mood swings is vastly different, borderlines only lasting from minutes to a few days at the most but typically a few hours.
Bipolar mood swings last from 1 week to an undetermined amount of time sometimes years. Historically bipolar asylum patients often had "manic exhaustion" as cause of death.