DH BP too?
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DH BP too?
| Wed, 03-07-2007 - 5:37pm |
Well, DH has been struggling with addiction lately (not drug related) and finally has decided to see a counselor. His first appointment was last night. He came home and told me the psychologist diagnosed him with cyclothymia.
The weird thing is that I am very resistant to agree with this diagnosis. I almost feel territorial. As if, since I have bipolar disorder then he isn't supposed to be diagnosed with it too (albeit a milder form). As if, if he has it then it takes away or lessens the fact that I have it. Perhaps related to these feelings, I wonder if Bipolar Disorder and it's subtler forms are being over-diagnosed.
Any responses or suggestions?
Thanks,
Beth

>>>>>>>>>>>Perhaps related to these feelings, I wonder if Bipolar Disorder and it's subtler forms are being over-diagnosed.<<<<<<<<<<<
I wonder if maybe it was under-dx'd before and we are finally starting to get a true sense of what is out there. BP is almost always portrayed (in movies and TV shows) as BP I with the wild swings, so that is more what the public expects. DW and myself stumbled across an interesting web site that showed that allot of what is called "Zoloft poop-out" may actually be a form of bp....the "manic" is what would be considered "?normal?" (for lack of a better word) and the "depressive" is a crushing deep black pit, so the pdoc's call it depression, treat it as such, but the a/d's seem to work only for a short while. When mood stabilizers are used though, the person responds and is "stable" on a long term basis....as this web site pointed out, who cares what it is called....as long as the right meds are used and the person can return to a somewhat "normal" life.
tk
Beth,
I've wondered about the over-dx thing myself and while I am sure some of that goes on (especially when the dx is by a GP).
Hi Beth,
I can understand your feelings. However, like Marci said, maybe now dh will now understand a little better what you've been living with, and you can understand his moods more. I realize that's probably not much comfort to you right now, but in the long run it will be. Right now you are soaking it in which takes time. Don't beat yourself up over this. It's an adjustment for anyone - bp or not.