[bpcyclist]

So, i have bipolar disorder and recently discovered some emails I sent to me when in a rare euthymic state. Long story short, I have been dissociating for years and did not know. I hide it well and look similar at a glance on the outside. But I do meet all DID criteria fully, every single one. It explains everything.

Is there something I should read about this? Trying to learn what I can. Thanks!!

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by bpcyclist

So, i have bipolar disorder and recently discovered some emails I sent to me when in a rare euthymic state. Long story short, I have been dissociating for years and did not know. I hide it well and look similar at a glance on the outside. But I do meet all DID criteria fully, every single one. It explains everything.

Is there something I should read about this? Trying to learn what I can. Thanks!!

my suggestion is contact your treatment providers and find out why they have diagnosed you with bipolar disorder instead of DID and if they feel you have bipolar disorder if they have also diagnosed you with DID.

then if this was me I would ask them to explain the difference between being in a euthymic state with bipolar disorder and doing things you dont remember doing with DID. theres a vast difference between the two.

That said a person can do things they dont remember with out DID and they can do things they dont remember doing with having DID. people can even have both bipolar disorder and also have DID.

I can tell you from personal experience having both Bipolar and DID is very complicated when it comes to things like medications, treatment options and so on. so it is best to work with your treatment providers all working together and you working with them too. they are going to need a lot of input from you in order to develop a treatment plan for you if it does turn out that you are diagnosed with both.

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by amandalouise

my suggestion is contact your treatment providers and find out why they have diagnosed you with bipolar disorder instead of DID and if they feel you have bipolar disorder if they have also diagnosed you with DID.

then if this was me I would ask them to explain the difference between being in a euthymic state with bipolar disorder and doing things you dont remember doing with DID. theres a vast difference between the two.

That said a person can do things they dont remember with out DID and they can do things they dont remember doing with having DID. people can even have both bipolar disorder and also have DID.

I can tell you from personal experience having both Bipolar and DID is very complicated when it comes to things like medications, treatment options and so on. so it is best to work with your treatment providers all working together and you working with them too. they are going to need a lot of input from you in order to develop a treatment plan for you if it does turn out that you are diagnosed with both.

Thank u so much. They know. Zero question I am bipolar 1 or schixzoaffective. It may be that I have OSDD-1 instead. My two different personas exist in the down and eu states respectively . one vegan, AOC liberal, lovesPortland, narcissisti, etc. Other, higher IQ, Republican, meat eater who speaks better French and better at math. Wants to move back to Texas. On and on.
Very difft. Very.

Thanx!!!

[*Beth*]

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and DID many years ago. The dx's have held up through so many providers I can't even count them all. And...yeah... treatment is complicated (to say the least).

Basically and very simplified, BD is neurological, while dissociative disorders are trauma-based. At least, that's the word on the street.

It's true that discerning between the 2 disorders can be tricky...sort-of. Both can include the memory loss spells. That said, BD and DID feel very different to me inside my mind and body.

It really is necessary to have professional guidance with these disorders - especially when they present together. The trick is hooking up with a professional(s) who know how to treat dissociate disorders. I've seen 30+ pdocs in my life and haven't yet found one that really gets dissociation - especially derealization and DID (they seem to comprehend depersonalization better; but they also seem to categorize dp as a psychotic symptom, which is only sometimes correct).

Trauma therapists, however, are (or should be) well-prepared to treat the full range of dissociative disorders.

[bpcyclist]

Thanks. Anything to read? Maybe I am just bipolar. Dunno, based on what u say.

[*Beth*]

OSDD is a fairly new diagnosis, one I often forget has been added to the mix. If I were to dx myself, I'd say OSDD.

Anyway, I haven't read anything on either disorder for years. Used to devour all I could find, but it seemed, at some point, there was less info available. And I started relying on the quick-fix reads I found online.

You have challenged me to do a search for some good books. So I will, and will get back to you on this thread.

btw, there is a megaton of info online, but when I was doing a lot of research some years back I found the most helpful literature was texts and journals from a professional perspective. Some of the stuff written for laypeople can be banal.

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by BethRags

OSDD is a fairly new diagnosis, one I often forget has been added to the mix. If I were to dx myself, I'd say OSDD.

Anyway, I haven't read anything on either disorder for years. Used to devour all I could find, but it seemed, at some point, there was less info available. And I started relying on the quick-fix reads I found online.

You have challenged me to do a search for some good books. So I will, and will get back to you on this thread.

btw, there is a megaton of info online, but when I was doing a lot of research some years back I found the most helpful literature were texts and journals from a professional perspective. Some of the stuff written for laypeople can be banal.

How thoughtful of you. Thanks.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by bpcyclist

Thanks. Anything to read? Maybe I am just bipolar. Dunno, based on what u say.

unfortunately because much of what OSDD is, is on separate treatment providers only lists you wont be able to find what you are looking for...

you can research to your hearts content the words OSDD and go to a therapist and come out diagnosed with something else....(which happened to a sibling of mine) what you see in the DSM5 is only the information that has been made public. you dont get to know which one of the disorders you have until you get tested.

example you can go to a doctor with feeling tired, worn out, feeling down and assume you have depression but then when the doctor does tests and the test results come back bam you have this other major or minor problem instead. why because some things are not for public to know about.

if you really think you have one of the 20 or more OSDD disorders contact your treatment providers, go through the testing and then they will give you the information you need to research what they have diagnosed you with.

we can not help someone to self diagnose OSDD by giving you a list of books to read... why because we dont know which of the 20 or so OSDD disorders you have and quite frankly I certainly wouldnt want to recommend a book on such and such and then one day come on here and find out you have died from something else because you were reading a book I recommended instead of contacting your doctors.

we dont help each other self diagnose here, just like we dont diagnose each other here on psych central. please contact your treatment providers.

[*Beth*]

amandalouise, I would be looking for books in order to self-educate.

[bpcyclist]

Yeah, my team is all over this w vengeance. Was really just asking if u had read anything good. No intention to inflame you.

You may not be aware but there are others here on the site who almost certainly meet criteria for OSDD-Whatever and insanely badass bp1, one of whose lifetime story is almost identical to mine. It is eery.

As for "not researching" my primary illness, I just completed a 90,000-word manuscript on bipolar 1 that will be published at Christmas by a major publisher, one of many such books I have written. I am a medical researcher by training. I developed lasers and cancer drugs and saw them through the FDA-approval process. It was my career. It is sometimes helpful to know to whom you are speaking before heaving shade and attitude.

Hugs!!

[HALLIEBETH87]

WhAts the book titled? Who is publishing it?

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by HALLIEBETH87

WhAts the book titled? Who is publishing it?

Shoot you a note... Trying to figure out how to still sort of be anonymous a little bit here because I really, really need you guys for my support network and I have to be able to post my stuff here. I would not make it without you guys, for sure. So, I'll PM ya. Thanks for asking.

[*Beth*]

I've been looking for some kind of worthwhile book on this subject, bcp. Haven't found one yet. Seems that in the '90's so many books were being published on the subject of mental illness and various forms of abnormal psychology. I guess now it's more internet, less books - which is too bad.

But I'll keep searching.

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by BethRags

I've been looking for some kind of worthwhile book on this subject, bcp. Haven't found one yet. Seems that in the '90's so many books were being published on the subject of mental illness and various forms of abnormal psychology. I guess now it's more internet, less books - which is too bad.

But I'll keep searching.

tHugs.thanks, Beth!

[Fuzzybear]

I only just noticed this! Hugs and love

[Fuzzybear]

displaced panda bear