Can someone describe bipolar to me

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2005
Can someone describe bipolar to me
6
Wed, 06-14-2006 - 4:05pm

I have diagnosed depression and anxiety. I currently take Effexor.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 06-14-2006 - 4:21pm

Hey D!!! I've missed you. I'm sorry to hear of your moods cycling. You pretty much just described Bipolar to yourself in your post. Its different with each person. Some people, like me, cycle very very rapidly...meaning I can have a swing several times a day, or it can go for two days, three days, a week, etc.

Irritability, rage and anger issues...can signal beginnings of a manic cycle. Spending money recklessly, hypersexuality, FEELING SOOOO GOOD YOU NEVER WANT TO COME DOWN FROM THE HIGH, all are parts of mania.

The opposite, of course, is the depressive episodes. I hate them. I'm in one now I can't seem to pull out of. Just went on Lexapro though, so we are keeping our fingers crossed. Antidepressants can make anxiety worse. For me, they do. I take Ativan along with mine. They will also tend to cause some people to be more manic.

Like I said, its really hard to just describe it as its so different. You know of my struggles. We can talk more soon...but I have to run right now.

Love and Hugs!!!

Keli

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2005
Wed, 06-14-2006 - 4:30pm

Hi and Welcome to the board !!


It does seem as if you have the symptoms, but we are not doctors and can't really tell you for sure (don't you hate that answer?

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

God could not be everywhere, so

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2005
Wed, 06-14-2006 - 4:36pm
Thanks. I have the pdoc appt. tomorrow and the therapy appt. tonite. I'll be bringing my chart for them to make of it what they will!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2005
Wed, 06-14-2006 - 4:55pm

sounds good...please keep us posted.


The women here are great....and its really nice to be able to go somewhere and talk to people that know exactly how you feel !!!

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting


God could not be everywhere, so he created mothers.

"You win some, you lose some, you wreck some." -- Dale Earnhardt"I get up. I walk. I fall down. Meanwhile, I keep dancing." – Rabbi Hillel



Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

God could not be everywhere, so

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
Wed, 06-14-2006 - 5:08pm

Do you have mood charts for longer than just what you provided to us?

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-02-2006
Wed, 06-14-2006 - 7:48pm

Hi Dharma and welcome. You've received a lot of good advice. I don't have much to add. Just talk to your pdoc and tdoc and voice your concerns. We all cycle differently. I have more depressive episodes than manias. I wish it were the other way around. But like Keli said, anger, rage and irritability are part of mania and that is a classic sign that I'm heading for a bad mania.


I hope this helps and that you will stick around. We'd like to get a chance to know you. Post often.


Hugs,
Traci