[agent2465]

I was told i was bi-polar while in treatmeant(or rehab) for alcohol.I had drank so much for 3 mos. that i shook all the time,anyway two drs. told me i fit the symptoms.Now that i am sober and going to a doc regularly im not sure what is wrong?At times i do fit the bill as being bi-polar(i think),then some weeks the symptoms are of someone severely depressed.I have asked my doc and he tells me it might be months before he knows.im on 600mg. lithium, 600mg. seroquel, 40mg. hydroxine(anxiety i think)and 120mg of methadone for back pain.If anyone could give me some symptoms of these two problems, maybe there are some i dont know about,i really need some help,i cant even make myself go outside except when my father takes me to the doc.

[(JD)]

Welcome to psych central, agent. You can click on the Disorders tab up top and find all sorts of stuff. DocJohn has a wealth of information on this site, and links too!

IMO that you find yourself severely depressed IS often part of being BI polar. It does take a long time for most ppl to become stablized with medications...months would not be uncommon. I'm sure it's worth the time to work on this. Using alcohol sounded like you were trying to self medicate, as you weren't happy with your feelings... good that you have doctors and medicine to help you now.

Again, welcome...

[MacD]

welcome to the site...we're all confused here sometimes..(but luckily there's always a source to help)...hang in there and make sure that your t knows everything that you've related to us...we're here for you too...hang in there grace

[DaveyJones]

Hi agent...

Nice to meet you, but sorry to hear you're feeling so bad. If you're up for awhile and then down for awile, that bipolar. Your doctor is medicating you like you are bipolar. A lot of times they don't like to tell you a diagnosis, because they're liable to change it later, which can confuse people.

Many people are bipolar for years without knowing it, because they treat themselves with alcohol and street drugs. It's called self-medicating, and I am a veteran!

Just the recurrent depressive episodes are enough for many pdocs to diagnose BP2...you didn't explicitly describe any manic episodes, but you kind of imply it in your post.

I have found great help at my local NAMI chapter. Go to nami.org to see where the nearest chapter to you is. They are a great resource for support and education. It's not nearly so scary when you can talk to a bunch of other people who are like you.

Also, you should find a therapist...drugs help, but they work better in conjunction with therapy.

Good luck managing your condition...if you want, feel free to PM me if you need to talk.

DJ