[cms39]

Ok guys, I don't visit this area of the site that much so bear that in mind. I am currently going through problems of extreme tiredness coupled with wanting to do things. What I mean is, I have these big goals - like be involved with a symphony or arts group - that I probably couldn't ever carry out because I have a MAJOR lack of energy. I can't keep up my housework, I just started cooking again on weekends, I haven't made it to church in months, etc.

But I want to be special and accomplished. Instead, I'm just a person who probably has a sleep disorder in addition to other things. I keep testing as hypomanic on the quiz here. But it looks more like I'm depressed - despite an overall good mood. Anyone ever experience anything like this?

[apislily]

You could be experiencing symptoms of a mixed episode: symptoms of both depression and mania at the same time. Have you talked to your doctor about this? I've had these, and they are frustrating.

Good luck.

-apislily

[cms39]

That sounds quite possible. I will call T today. BTW, I've never been diagnosed with bipolar - just depression and OCD. Do manic and mixed episodes come on in later life? - I'm 39.

[apislily]

I have known some people who were diagnosed with bipolar disorder in their thirties and forties, sometimes after a long period of suffering, and sometimes after a trial of an antidepressant tripped a manic episode. So it is possible.

I was originally diagnosed with depression and an anxiety disorder. My doctor told me that sometimes it is difficult to determine whether it's the combination of the two illnesses causing the extremes in mood (depression vs. insomnia and the frantic feeling that I must get something done) or if it in fact bipolar disorder. It's worth talking to your therapist or doctor about.

Good luck.

-apislily

[Malady156]

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That sounds quite possible. I will call T today. BTW, I've never been diagnosed with bipolar - just depression and OCD. Do manic and mixed episodes come on in later life? - I'm 39.

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hi cms39,

i used to have the more "traditional" kind of bipolar experience -- long periods of depression followed by long periods of mania. then as I got further into my late 30s i started having more rapid-cycles and mixed-state episodes. this is what drove me to seeking treatment actually, well, this plus getting sick of recycling religious obsessions I've had since the age of 19 that never get resolved, they just go round & round & round the same pathways like programmed lab rats in a maze ...

[cms39]

Thank you. I actually didn't call my T that day; I talked to my mom who said I've pretty much always been this way and that I'm probably premenstrual. (moms)

It's not so bad now. I think I was feeling a lot of pressure to be more active and successful from the "friend" who I decided not worth my time after all. She sent me a very nasty note. I am going to just be happy with me the way I am. But I do see my therapist next Friday, so I'll bring it up then.

[Malady156]

CMS lemme know how that goes if you want to share. I would say keep an eye out for it even if it seemed to go away, note if it recurs, don't be shy about asking your tdoc's opinion. Doesn't sound like Mom was too helpful, LOL.

You might want to start charting your moods if they are switching a lot -- get a gist of times, lengths, types, other symptoms with it, etc.

[cms39]

Thank you Mal, I will.

I saw my therapist. She thinks my "feeling the need to do something" comes from wanting to please my dad - he always wanted us to be very career-minded. My therapist feels there is a big difference between what my mother wanted for us and what my father wanted. Well, yeah. I know that. Anyway, that's what came of that.