Diagnosed today and very confused....

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Diagnosed today and very confused....
11
Wed, 05-09-2007 - 3:00pm

I've been convinced for years that I've had AD/HD. I was even dx'd and tx'd for it in 2000. A long story short...for reasons to many to go into...I'd gone to another psychiatrist to pursue tx, and he couldn't dx more than 'possible' AD/HD.

Several years passed and I saw a new psychiatrist today. How can someone talk w/you for less than an hour and decide you have bipolar disorder??? I'm very afraid of the stigma that seems to be associted with it. I'm at a loss for words, and very afraid of what may lie ahead.

Thanks.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
Wed, 05-09-2007 - 3:19pm

Yes, it's possible based on what you told him and his own personal observations, especially if you're manic or hypermanic.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 05-09-2007 - 9:27pm

Thank you for the response. I'm completely understanding what you mean about the stigma. I didn't have qualms (before) about telling anyone I had (or thought I had) ADD. Yet BP seems like an entirely different animal.

Did you mean to say it's not UNcommon for folks to have BP and AD/HD?

I've not really noticed many manic episodes. I DO have a history of depression, but other symptoms - like poor financial management, seem to be continual, not just episodic.

I'm already on 150mg Effexor for hot flashes, so the psych suggested I up the dosage to 225mg for a month and see if it has an effect.

What's the difference between AD/HD and BP? I'm curious why I seemed to have responded to meds for AD/HD (years ago) and yet not have a formal diagnosis. I'm mostly afraid of not being able to live a 'normal life'. I've filed bankruptcy once already, and am about to file for a second time in about 12 yrs. I've had 9 jobs in 14 years, and still have many years to go before retirement. I can't go on living like this.

It's all so frustrating, but thank you for the words of wisdom based on experience. I really appreciate it.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
Wed, 05-09-2007 - 10:06pm

Honestly, I'm not that familiar with the difference between AD/HD (THAT isn't one of my problems, although I have more than enough), but hopefully, one of our ladies (or gentleman) who are will pop in to advise.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-31-2006
Thu, 05-10-2007 - 3:22am

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-02-2005
Thu, 05-10-2007 - 10:14am

ok so this post may be a long and a confusing one but Ill try to keep it all straight for ya...
Mom was bi polar, lost her in december (still think bad meds is to blame for that one). Was diagnosed later in life, was ALSO ADHD and had panic attacks. COuld not be in a crowded room, stores too busy, etc.. But I will tell you, I am the proudest of my mom for her work with the local NAMI chapter to change the stigmatism of MI in her local area. SHe was very open about her condition and saidthis is me, like it or not here I am.. TO me, I introduced her to everyone and told them the truth about her and dared them to say anything.
ALmost lost my SO, my marriage, when found out he was bi polar. I was very angry that he kept it from me and had been unmedicated for about 7 years and had treated me and kids like crud the entire 4 years we have been together. ( we are still working on repairing that). He knew my stance on MI. HOwever he ALSO has ADHD, Dyslexia and Anxiety and panic disorder. He will have a panic attack so bad that you are not sure if it is a heart attack or not.
THEN>>>> my teen has just been diagnosed... however they have said she is both they are working hard to figure out which one.. but they say she is bi-polar/schyzofrentic. Her biological father was IP with scyzo several years ago. She ALSO has panic and anxiety attacks.
Both my darling SO and darling teen are afraid of the stigmatism. My SO has a job that is very much in the publics eye. Has worked very hard to get where he is and is getting his feet back on solid ground. My teen is currently basically on house arrest by doctors orders. a week before finals at school , and work gave her a months leave of absence. She also has PCOS, she is very scared how people will react. Although of her friends, several has some form or another of MI.
SO that is part of my family, I still have 4 other kids that I watch carefully for signs or symptoms of anything. It is hard to watch, yet not let them think you are monitoring them. My SO is on meds that are actually working great.. his mind is not totally into the repair work on our marriage, but his general outlook on life is better and that is the most impotant thing. If we dont make it, we'll still be friends and he now knows he can count on me for anything. Now I have to get my wonderful teen back...

good luck my dear on your journey.. as I have been told, it will get worse before it gets better.. but once its better....you'll never want to go back.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-19-2006
Fri, 05-11-2007 - 12:33am
Usually when they evaluate you they use tests with a series of questions,
Then they use a point system.
Everything depends on your symptoms.
ADD, ADHD, and BIPOLAR DISSORDER are often miss diagnosed as each other.
Or some people suffer from both.
Either way don't freak out listen to the doc or get a second opinion.
Go with the flow you will be fine.
Best of luck to ya.

Sparkleeyes..........

Live life well & Always look ahead.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 05-11-2007 - 8:37am

I'm mostly frustrated b/c I was dx'd w/ADD in 2000 and even treated for it,
then went through testing for ADD in 2003, and only showed 'marginal' evidence of it,
and now I'm told (these were three different doc) that I'm bipolar. I'm just frustrated. Whatever is going on w/me, I just would like to know (definitively) so we can treat it and move on. =)

I'm afraid of the 'stigma' of being bipolar. I have no problem telling people I have (or may NOT have) ADD, or that I'm a cancer survivor. I'm not sure what my problem is w/BP. None of them are my 'fault', it's just the stigma.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-19-2006
Fri, 05-11-2007 - 10:38am
Listen sweetie do not worry about the stigma.
You are you being bipolar makes no difference,
If anyone thinks it does they are not worth your time.
Please don't be frustrated it's okay.
Everything will work out once you get treatment that is appropriate for you.
good luck, xoxo

Sparkleeyes..........

Live life well & Always look ahead.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-18-2003
Sat, 05-12-2007 - 10:41am

(((((((((Hugs)))))))))) As everyone else has said, don't worry about the stigma associated with bipolar. I know it's harder to do than it is to be said, but try. You have found a very good place to vent here and we are here to support you with anything you need to say or ask.


As for the stigma itself, it's a bunch of bologna. I don't know the statistics, but I'd be willing to bet there's as many people out there with some sort of mood disorder as there are without one. So try to put your mind at ease with that. There are a lot of people out there that understand about mental illness and the first place to start is by finding a good pdoc and a good tdoc. Once you fiind both of those you will be on the road to learning how to cope with this disorder and that is the most important thing about dealing with it. It's not so much as how people perceive you, it's more how you perceive yourself.


Come back here and keep us posted. Remember, we're here to help and support you in any way possible. We care about you and are glad you found our growing family:)


Hugs,
Traci

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 05-14-2007 - 1:44pm

Thanks so much for the words of encouragement. I'm also having a hard time believing that I'm NOT ADD. I'm not sure how I couldn't be...but then again, as someone else here has said, maybe I've BP and ADD.

What is pdoc and tdoc?

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