misdiagnonsense

well, this topic kind of overlaps a few areas but i will just throw it in here!

i was diagnosed with bipolar disorder (you guys know this already, sorry to repeat myself). i have other issues though and the doctor didnt seem to think they were out of the normal bipolar course. (i self injure when im in crisis,and i force my self to vomit to lose wieght when im in crisis) i guess im just confused. cuz i thought bipolar was black and white.
i am starting to think ive been mis diagnosed, well, maybe that is the denial coming back, but maybe the correct diagnosis is FUBAR. (%#@&#! up beyond any repair)

Well, my first post in this forum was to ask if it was possible that other conditions could be symptoms of BP or seperate issues. So I understand where you are coming from. But I'm now convinced that being bipolar can instigate all kinds of different stuff. Hang in there. The most important thing is to deal with these problems, no matter what the label. From what I have read, treatment may be applicable to combined dx's so I suggest that if you can, keep up with the prescribed meds and give your therapist a chance. I'm only wishing you the best... take care.

Your description sounds a lot like me. My major issue is a mood disorder, but I have borderline "traits" diagnosed because of the self-destructiveness during crises. My therapist doesn't consider borderline a primary disgnosis for me because a lot of it is included in the bipolar description.

I have other diagnoses also, but a diagnosis does not describe everything about your psyche. Maybe your doctor is waiting for the medications to kick in. When my mood stabilizers started working, a lot of the "borderline" symptoms disappeared with the depression and mixed states.

Good luck--and try not to worry about your diagnosis too much--whether the treatments are working or not is what's important.

-apislily

consider: could an eating disorder cause the fantastic mood swings and mixed states you experience? (hint: no.) Bipolar makes no sense in the beginning, it's such a broad scape of symptoms, and the overlap with other dx's is confusing indeed. But you, my friend, are so classically bipolar no right minded clinician could treat you otherwise right now. Hang in, and hang on, it all takes time, but you will find some room in there soon enough.

I know what you mean though, really, it might be the most chameleon like disorder of them all.

These are good questions that all of us with bp have asked. I'm glad you're asking them.

It's so good you stayed on.

thank you sqrl!
i guess i get scared that maybe my problem can not be fixed and that i am going to feel this way until i die.
the diagnosis is starting to give me a sense of relief. i thought it was a "sentence" at first but now im holding onto that diagnosis with all my strength till my knuckles turn white..

you guys dont even know helpful you are. ...ty

Cottoncandylocks,

I hope you don't mind me jumping in here. I'm new to this, but I've experienced quite a bit with bipolar disorder. My exspouse is bipolar (untreated, well treated only with antidepressants) and his life is in chaos. Three of my five children have bipolar traits, two are medically compliant and no longer live with constant chaos.

Of the two that are medically compliant, they are both minors so I still have a hand involved in whether they stay on their meds or not, but it's taken a long time to get to where their med "cocktails" are effective. It takes patience as each person is so very different chemically. These two boys are so alike in many ways, but chemically and diagnosis wise... they are myriads apart.

My point is, you are special, dear girl. Every bipolar person I know has several associated other struggles ("diagnoses") they deal with at the same time. They are also some of the most brilliant and caring people I know. My 16 year old is on an antipsychotic, mood stabilizers, lithium (which can actually reverse brain destruction caused by bp), a tiny dose of antidepressant for sleep purposes, adhd med, melatonin for seasonal affective disorder, etc. He occasionally has psychotic episodes, depressed periods or manic episodes where he is so funny and creative that he is amazingly productive and none of us can keep up with him. The point is, he is medically compliant but still has struggles.

He has learned to be patient with himself... well, he's 16... he's learning to be patient with himself! It is when he's not patient with himself that he dives into depression and his eating disorders get stronger and the darkness envelops him.

You're worth the effort sweet girl. YOU are not your diagnoses. They are merely challenges that you've been allowed to grow from. I tell my sons and daughter all the time that their "higher power" must have great confidence in them to allow them to experience the challenges they've been given.

It is frustrating to them as it is to you, but you can handle it. You are a tremendous individual of great worth. Keep asking questions. Keep searching for information. Keep learning about the details of these different diagnoses you're given then you can separate them from you personally and see that they are physical experiences and chemical responses, not the core of who you are.

Take care~ You're on the right track.