difference between bipolar2 & depression

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-02-2003
difference between bipolar2 & depression
3
Sun, 01-22-2006 - 10:15am
Hi, a new psychiatrist just told me bi polar type 2 is when you are 'down' all the time and never 'up'. What is the difference between this and depression?
He give me a new med for the 'down' side of bi polar. He said it's new. He also said meds have always been for the 'up' side and they needed meds for 'down' side. I don't know if this is the first and/or only med for this 'down side?
Avatar for missyflanders
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 01-22-2006 - 11:18am

I was dxed with bpII and my understanding is that with bpII your ups are not as high, and may not be noticeable as much different. For me, I become very irritable, my mind races and I am just a crab. I can't sleep either. My downs are extremely low though. What med did you get put on. I have to be on a mood stablizer and an antidepressant. I am on ablify and cymbalta (and topamax as a secondary mood stablizer.) welcome to the board and I hope I answered your question.

Missy

 
 
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-02-2003
Sun, 01-22-2006 - 1:04pm
HEy thanks for writing! I have had these problems for about 24 years and never really talked to anyone other than family about it. I really need 'outside support' from people who know what I'm going thru.
The meds I have now is lexapro for depression and lamictal for bp. I use to take effexor for depression and depakote 1000mg for bp. I've only been taking the new meds for 2 days now and do feel a little better.
This is how I feel- I am ok when there are no problems going on in my life. But when a problem comes along, and it has to be a BIG problem, I stay sad, depressed, my mind won't stop thinking, I stay up and can't sleep, then I want to sleep all day cause I didn't sleep at night, can't seem to make myself do anything. When I start thinking about problems, I can't stop or make my self get out of it. I do find that when I can make myself get up and do things, it makes me feel better. I also want to sleep as a way to get away from the problems and a way to not 'think' about the problems and stay so depressed. I also don't eat and lose a lot of weight. I have lost 30-35 pounds in 3 months. IT's ok though, cause according to doctor charts I'm still 50 lbs overweight!! LOL
I've never used drugs or drink, but I can surely understand why people do these things even though it hurts them more in the long run.
My only 'remedy' for this is sleeping. To get away from the problems, and to not feel my pain and depression.
I have been taking sleeping pills for about 2 weeks now for me to sleep. I have always had the 'racing mind' and constant thinking, but here lately it's so bad that it's keeping me from sleeping or doing anything else. I can usually handle 'little' problems because I have been thru so many big and little problems, I'm use to the little ones now I guess. The 'big ones' really get me though.
I was told by a psychologist that some people have so many problems that it makes them have a 'zero tolerance level' that was said 10 years ago, I hate to see what my level is now! LOL
Years ago I was different. When I got upset, I use to pull my hair, bang my head on the wall, scream till my throat hurt, run around and throw things. I was out of control. I haven't been that way for years and I don't really know why. I'm glad I'm not that way now.
It's hard when people don't understand you. It seems they don't believe you, don't think it's important. They say 'just get up and do something.' I hate it when they don't understand. But I have a very understanding hubby who helps me. Also my mom and dad really understands me cause my dad is the same as I am, and my mom helps me cause she knows my problems are real.
I am hoping to make friends here and help for my problems. I stay at home, don't work. My problem now is I hate being alone all day. People ask why I don't work. For one reason, we only have one car now and can't afford to get the other one fixed.I dont' have a way to get a job. I'm in the country and very far from any city. Another reason is that my emotional problems make me where I can't handle a job. People would think this is an 'excuse' but it's not. I was a single mother for 8 yrs with 2 girls to raise, had a full time job and had to pay for everytihng. I had no child support from either father and no other help with money. I hated the workign cause I couldn't be with my girls like I wanted, I'm just old fashioned I guess and put family before working. I stayed upset about this all the time. Then I got married and kept working. I would come home and have so much to do, I culdnt' handle it. I was losing control. So my hubby said I should not work. I just couldn't handle it. So I haven't worked since 1998. So now, if things are ok and no problems, I'm ok being alone all day. But when problems come along and I get depressed, I just stay in bed most of the day till my girl gets home from school. then it's like I'm a different person. I'm still sad but can function better.
I don't have depression all the time. At times I am fine. But some problems take me months, even years, to quit being depressed over. My current 'episode' is caused by a major problem that happened 3 months ago and I haven't accepted it and can't go on.
I am only 'bad' when there are problems I can't handle. But the problem is, with my life this happens 'most' of the time LOL
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
Sun, 01-22-2006 - 6:36pm

I think your pdoc needs to work on his explanation skills!