Combo question...

I was wondering if it's possible to have depression AND bipolar disorder, or if you could only have one or the other?

I was diagnosed with depression a few years ago, but since have come to believe I may be bipolar. Is it possible to be both? Or did the depression possibly turn into bipolar? Or maybe I was misdiagnosed years ago with depression instead of bipolar?

Anyone have any ideas?

I'm no doctor or expert in this. There are several forms of dual-diagnosis disorders, but I'm thinking that bipolar is an umbrella illness that already covers depression.

It is worth seeing someone to see if you may have bipolar. I think, yes, you might have only experienced depression before, and maybe the manic side of bipolar is only becoming recognizable now. Or maybe you have always had bipolar symptoms, but when you were diagnosed your depression was so bad that the doctor could only see that aspect of it.

From what I understand (I am not bipolar) people rarely seek initial treatment during a manic phase, because during that they feel great, they feel indestructible, they feel as if all is right with the world. After bipolar is diagnosed, paople may seek treatment during a manic phase because they or people around them can recognize the symptoms and although it may feel "good" in some ways they recognize that it will lead to an unhealthy cycle.

I have several bipolar friends who very recently suffered from severe depressive episodes. One for many months with depression as severe as mine. They were reluctant to treat her with antidepressants because sometimes that can trigger a manic phase in bipolar people. However this went on so long and so deeply that eventually they treated it purely as depression (keeping a watchful eye, though, to make sure she returned to level and not a manic phase).

There are different kinds of bipolar, in one form the manic phases are only slightly elevated while the depressive phase can be severe. It may be easy to miss a bipolar diagnosis on this because the manic phases are more subtle and may be hard to notice, especially when the depression hits so hard and so obviously.

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--http://www.idexter.com

Hey, thanks for the info! One reason I've not sought diagnosis for bipolar yet is because I don't really have the really high manic times, but I do have semi-manic compared to my personality, and REALLY low depressions. So, maybe I have been bipolar all along, who knows? I'll be finding out soon, hopefully. Thanks again.

One specific type of bipolar, which I think is very common (someone can correct me if I'm wrong) does involve only relatively slightly elevated "manic" periods, referred to I think as "hypomania".

Someone with more knowledge of that can chime in. There may also be some info/advice available in the bipolar forum here.

I do think it would be a good idea to talk to a doctor about it. You don't have to actually have something to tell a doctor you suspect you may have it, and want to find out. Worst case (Best case!) is you are wrong and the doctor rules it out for you. They won't penalize you for going over your usage minutes if it turns out your suspicion is wrong . Better to know, IMO.

Good luck! And whether this turns into something for future consideration or not, I hope you find the community here helpful, even with just your depression. The people here are really caring and understanding.

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--http://www.idexter.com

Hi,

Dave has given you some great information. I have been depressed SEVERLY for the past twelve years. About 4 years ago I was on a combo of Effexor and Adderall for depression and ADD. I loved this combo I was on cloud 9; well being on cloud 9 was considered to by hypomanic (less severe mania) and I was taken off these meds and put on mood stabilizers. I wish I didn't start mood stabilizers; my cognitive processing has gotten much worse. I have heard from other people who infrequent and short hypomanic episodes that there doctor did not put them on mood stabilizers; once on them it is hard to get off - they are considered to be meds for life. One combination that seems to work is a small dose of effexor and a higher one of wellbutrin.

good luck
let us know what your doc says

Yes, it is possible, many people with Bipolar that has not yet been DXed are usually seen by pdocs/therapists when they are depressed, when they are hypomanic (mild mania) or even manic, most feel good, energies flowing so they do not feel a need to see a professional.
I would see a pdoc and get an evaluation to either rule out your former DX or confirm what the true problem is, so if you end up needing meds you can get the proper ones.
Yes, people can have more than one disorder, according to the pdocs I have seen and/or spoken with.
Just try to hang in there and seek professional help.
Feel free to always drop by and talk to us.
Take care now,
DE

In giving advice seek to help, not please your friend
SOLON