Don"T UNdersatnd

Avatar for careyfeel
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-18-2003
Don"T UNdersatnd
10
Mon, 05-16-2005 - 11:24pm
I was recently diagnosed with BP.I had always been diagnose with deppression and anxiety disorder. I read information on BP and I do not seem to have the mania part.I never feel euphoric and grandiose,I do not understan how I have the mania part ofBP.Can someone please help and explain to me more about BP. careyfeel(Fran)
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2003
Tue, 05-17-2005 - 2:50am

Hi, Fran! I think I know where you're coming from on this. I've been bp since I was about 4 (no joke), but I spent from 4th grade until just after senior year in high school as extremely depressed, with no mania or lightening of the depression. Then, all of a sudden, when I was in my tech school I was extremely manic. It was so new to me. I loved it!! Tech school is still one of the best times of my life. I think you're doc probably has good reason to suspect bp, instead of "just" depression and anxiety. Next time you get to see him/her, ask them this same question.


Hope this helps a little. Take care and post as much as you'd need/want to!

~ Aislinn

~ Aislinn
 
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-18-2003
Tue, 05-17-2005 - 6:23am

hi fran, i also can understand your confusion. i, like aislinn, tend to be on the depressed side than the manic side. one thing your doc may have pieced together from what you've told him/her are signs of hypo-mania. with the hypo-mania you aren't euphoric or grandiose. your mood is elevated, and even feels what we perceive as "normal" or anxiety, as you have had. i would also advise you to talk with your doc to find out how that diagnosis was reached. bp is something that docs don't just arrive at after 1 visit as it is complex and they want to be sure they are putting you on the right meds. but, if you have had life long symptoms, then it's a little easier to pinpoint it.


i'm sorry if i'm talking in circles. i guess what i'm trying to say is if a doc has diagnosed you with this, there

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-21-2003
Tue, 05-17-2005 - 9:22am

I was diagnosed with Cyclothymia or Bipolar II. I've gone on shopping sprees, had sleeping problems, but never had the manic episodes where I clean house excessively. (my husband wishes I had that one - lol)

I think with bipolar, there are so many different facets of the disease and it really covers a broad base of people.

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-20-2005
Tue, 05-17-2005 - 9:39am

Hi there, with me I was diagnosed with Bipolar II. With me I have more problems with depression but I do have episodes where I'm extremely irritable. Or angry. I do have periods like that. And I do have major shopping sprees too. But I dont have manic episodes that you read about. I hope this helps..

Christal

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-21-2003
Tue, 05-17-2005 - 1:07pm

You sound a lot like me. Before I started Lamictal, I would get sooo angry. Oh and the shopping I could (still can :) do. My angry spells are fewer than they were, and I feel better.

Are you having sleeping problems? I take 10 mg of Ambien every night and have done so for about 2 years. It knocks me totally unconscious for about 8 hours, but I wake up refreshed.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Tue, 05-17-2005 - 4:22pm

Hi Fran, good to have you back!

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-23-2004
Tue, 05-17-2005 - 8:29pm

Fran,


I was diagnosed for depression for years and only recently diagnosed with BP.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-17-2003
Wed, 05-18-2005 - 11:35am
I'll add my voice to the chorus of people diagnosed with Bipolar II. As they've stated, with that, you don't really have the euphorias and suchlike, more irritable and/or rage. Ask your doctor what led him/her to the diagnosis, of course, but meanwhile, try to think back. Are you prone to bouts of doing things impulsively (shopping sprees, etc)? Do you go through periods of being really, really irritable? Do you sometimes have trouble sleeping? That may be your "manic" cycle. A lot of the time, Bipolar II/cyclothymia is harder to catch, for the simple reason that it's not as textbook; that is to say, the really obvious highs/lows aren't always there. I too spent years being told I had depression and anxiety, but that wasn't the whole picture. When you ask your doctor, I'm betting you'll hear something like this.
UCAUTIONIN THE INTEREST OF SAFETY IT IS ADVISABLE TO KEEP ERIN AWAY FROM FIRE AND FLAMES.
From Go-Quiz.com
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Avatar for careyfeel
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-18-2003
Wed, 05-18-2005 - 10:52pm
Thank you for the information you gave me. I have been on Lamictal for several years , but was told it was for my depression (not BP).I do not go on real shoppping spreees-if I do -they are at The Dollar Store. My husband is very controlling with money and will not even let me use a credit card/bank card unless he approves .I have a credit card in my name and he holds on to it and I can only use when he thinks I should. He very seldom gives me money.iT is not because we do not have the money and I do not abuse credit cards.I use them as few times as possible.
I have had to quit my job because of my illness and recent hospitalization.The doctors did not want me to return to the job. My husband is already saying that he will not give me money if I do not get a job in a few weeks. My T. thinks I should go to a day hospital, but my husbandhas strongly objects
I a;so have problems sleeping and I had to take 20 or 30 mg of Ambien and that still did not allow me to sleep. I now take 20 mg of Trazodone and 10 mg of Vesteril before bed and they help me sleep better.Thanks . careyfee; (Fran)
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-21-2003
Wed, 05-18-2005 - 11:48pm

Maybe it's because I'm down in the dumps tonight but you sound really down. Is your husband mean to you? My husband is a real butthead - LOL. He's controlling also, but I pay all the bills, so spending isn't too hard.

I don't remember if you're in therapy or not, but I think you could benefit from it. I have a therapist now and it really helps to talk to someone who's indifferent.

I hope you are getting rest now and are able to get the help you need soon.