[newtobipolar]

I am Bipolar. I am 45 and just diagnosed in September.

Had a major depressive episode for like 6 months. It was a living hell. My BP was tough to dx because I never had drastic mood swings. For the most part, littlemood swings. Doc and I assumed it was depression and Anxiety.

WRONG! My pdoc realized I could be BPD and put me on Lamictal. IT SAVED MY LIFE.

I still have my ups and downs, but they're controlled.

Maybe you need a mood stabilizer like I did?

Just a thought. I know how I suffered, and if I can help anyone, that would be great

[Skeezyks]

[MickeyCheeky]

I'm glad you're doing betterh now

[Fizzyo]

I'm so glad you now have the right treatment. I hope you go from strength to strength.
Thanks for your offer of support, I know you are an asset here.

That's an interesting thought. I am wondering about my own diagnosis of depression. My symptoms really are mostly depression and that is what I complain about the most, along with anxiety as a close second.

They changed my medicine and added Abilify, which is an antipsychotic. I know in low doses it's been shown to help with depression AND bipolar, and the fact that I feel a radical difference as of right now, may be in part because of my diagnosis is wrong. I may be in the same boat as you -- who knows?

I do think it's very interesting how mental illness is almost on a continuum -- where the "shades of gray" are everywhere between illnesses. Thanks for sharing and I'm glad your medicine is helping you!

Bipolar isn't BPD, BPD is Bordeline Personality Disorder. Just so you know.

[Fizzyo]

Yes, there are so many acronyms in mental health that it is easy to get them confused when you're new to the site (and not so new) there are many that people use that I haven't even worked out what they stand for.
I hope people don't feel hurt if I inadvertently use one wrongly....

Thank you for the information.

[with or without you]

Originally Posted by newtobipolar

I am Bipolar. I am 45 and just diagnosed in September.


Had a major depressive episode for like 6 months. It was a living hell. My BP was tough to dx because I never had drastic mood swings. For the most part, littlemood swings. Doc and I assumed it was depression and Anxiety.


WRONG! My pdoc realized I could be BPD and put me on Lamictal. IT SAVED MY LIFE.


I still have my ups and downs, but they're controlled.


Maybe you need a mood stabilizer like I did?


Just a thought. I know how I suffered, and if I can help anyone, that would be great

I've asked my psychiatrist before about being having Bipolar II and not MDD and he said my "ups" don't happen enough, nor are they sustained long enough, for me to be bipolar. He doesn't think they're manic or hypomanic episodes. I have mood swings as well but he thinks it's the unipolar depression driving everything.

Anyway, I'm glad you've sorted your situation out and that you're feeling better. This crap is maddening to figure out.