Worried I could be bipolar?

Hi. I was just put on Lexapro to be treated for depression, although my counselor and doctor acknowledged that there's a slight possibility I could be bipolar. There are some signs that make me wonder.

Since I was put on the medication about 2 weeks ago, I've been feeling noticeably better and more active during the day - all the sudden I've started exercising an hour every day. But every night, I've been feeling depressed, I've been crying every night, which is more than usual. My suicidal thoughts stopped for a few days, but now they're back.

Then, the past two nights, I had what reminded me of a mixed episode: I was extremely happy and sad at the same time, in fact the happier I got, the sadder I got. I was laughing and sobbing so hard and could not stop. It lasted less than an hour both nights before I swung into a different mood.

I've had a similar mixed experience before, but never so intense.

But since these mixed emotions and mood swings are so short lasting, I don't know if it would be diagnosed as bipolar. What about rapid cycling? I'm not sure.

There was another time where I cycled through about 6 different psychological states in like an hour. I basically dissociated from reality, for example I cycled through terror, anger, numb/robotic/apathy, sadness, and in each state it was like looking at the world through that lens only - like everything I thought of made me angry, or scared, or sad, or whatever.

Possibly bipolar? Should I bring these things up with my doctor?

Hi, you said your doctor and counsellor have both acknowledged there's a possibility you could be bipolar?

Could you write down any symptoms/feelings you have as you have them...maybe over the space of a few days? Then take them to your doctor and ask if you can be referred to a clinical psychologist/psychiatrist for a proper evaluation?

Hope this helps, sorry if not, and i hope you get the help you need to feel better soon. *hugs*

It is possible and one thing my Pdoc said to me was that antidepressants shouldn't make you feel worse. That was one of many indicators to him that I was in fact bipolar. I'm bipolar type II and I've experienced what you have talked about.

Just write or print out what you described to us and take it to your psychiatrist. Your symptoms while on Lexapro are a little worrisome and you may want to call your doc before your next appointment especially if it is a long way off or you keep feeling really bad.

My Pdoc specialized in depression and bipolar and he recommended the book "Why an I still depressed?" Which talks alot about bipolar type II and soft bipolar. This may be a helpfull book for you and answer some questions about your symptoms and there is a section about talking to your doctor that may also benifit you.

I understand how you feel. I too have anxiety attacks and have been on lexapro for a few months. I also have klonopin for the late afternoons/evenings to help me with my irratablity and crying etc. as you discribed. I see my meds doc next week and hopefully she can either change the dose or try me on something new cause I hate feeling like this at night. God bless ya and hope you find your answers too

kitty