Never diagnosed as such but could see it.. A good observation it seems.. I'd see how it goes..T

im manic and depressive but dont CALL ME BIPOLAR!!!

NOW you can call me alcoholic and i dont have an issue..

LOL

1is2

In 2000, I admitted myself to a psychiatric hospital because I was displaying suicidal tendencies. While there, I was diagnosed the acute alcoholism (duh) and bipolar disorder. For the next 2 years or so, I struggled with achieving sobriety and finding the right medication to stabilize my bipolar disorder.

After about 2 years of continuous sobriety, I quit taking my meds because my BP was "cured" and promptly relapsed. I also figured I had cured my "alcoholism" and had no more need for the AA program of recovery. After a quick but brief (6 week) spiral into the devastation of alcoholism, I mustered the forces, picked up a desire chip, found a sponsor, worked all the steps (and still do) and went back on my meds. I had learned my lesson regarding discontinuing my med management without the advise/direction of my psych doctor.

Fast forward 8 years of continuous sobriety and med compliance. I never again experienced any relapse, depression or manic episodes. I spoke to my psych doctor about my desire to wean myself off of the Depakote. So under her supervision, I was weaned off of the meds, and then for the next 18 months, still went to see her every 3 months to evaluate my mental stability. Last August, I was officially discharged as a patient of the local MHMR clinic.

My doctor had determined that my low level bipolar disorder was exacerbated by my chronic alcohol abuse, recent divorce and loss of custody of my children, DWI, sexual assault and abusive relationship with a new boyfriend Kind of a "perfect storm" for mania and depression - a real life "nervous breakdown".

Don't miss understand me, I still have manic tendencies, over-spending, hyper-sexuality, rare occasions of racing thoughts, etc - but as a sober individual, I can recognize these symptoms and regulate my moods by putting the breaks on my mania. But it took long term sobriety in order for me to have the ability to do this.

Another thought regarding the perceived over eagerness of some medical professionals to diagnose bipolar disorder at the drop of a hat. There is no blood test, EKG, MRI or CAT scan used to confirm the presence of a mental illness. No biopsy or genetic testing to conclusively diagnose mental illness. A doctor diagnoses by the symptoms each individual presents and evaluation of the individuals own testimony. The truthfulness of the potential patient is a huge factor in the correct diagnosis of bipolar disorder and unfortunately leaves much room for misdiagnosis.

I have a friend who was sent to the mental hospital. After about a month they realized that he was only an alcoholic and released him. He hasn't drink since.

It also works the opposite why, alcohol can mask a mental disease. A psychiatrist told me that he waits until they are sober for two weeks before he attempts to diagnosis any comorbid disorder.

Scarlet says a mouthful!

Same holds true with Borderline Personality...

I thought I was crazy for a while. Never occurred to me that a lot of it was environmental: the people I was hanging around with and what I was putting into my body.

Garbage in; garbage out.

I'm not saying that all people's illness are not real. Just that may people who are on the verge of "normal" may actually just be victims of poor life management.

Scarlet is a shining example of what gaining control over one's life can do.

thank you all for your replies! I really appreciate it :)

Psychiatrists who have some knowledge of chronic alcoholism state they are unable to make a relyable diagnosis of an alcoholics mental health for the one year after their last drink,

BUILDING UP TO A DRINK (BUD)

Dr. Jorge Valles, a staff member at the VA Alcoholism Unit in Houston, TX, described the "Building Up to a Drink (BUD)" period that will trouble the problem drinker and notes that other family members or friends are usually able to recognize what is happening to the drinker before he himself becomes aware of it.

A BUD usually begins with the problem drinker feeling anxious, irritable, restless, discontented, depressed, resentful and/or bored. This is often referred to as a "dry drunk". Everyone experiences these emotions now and then, but in the recovering alcoholic, such symptoms can, if left unchecked, lead rapidly to a tragic resumption of drinking.

Normally, an alcoholic will experience their first BUD period during the 3rd to 5th day of sobriety and again during the 5th to 7th week of sobriety. If they make it through these 2 BUD periods, the next will come at about 5 to 7 months. If they survive that one, the next will normally occur at about 11 to 13 months. This may occur again at about 18 months. The normal response of the alcoholic to these periods is to drink.

Another danger for the alcoholic is the "pink cloud" period. This normally occurs shortly after their new found sobriety. This period, as well as any period of extreme elation or success, not found through the application of the 12 Steps, can and often will lead to complacency and a return to drinking.

The only time tested and experience proven solution to these difficult times is the daily living of the 12 Step Program of Alcoholics Anonymous.

IT IS EASIER TO STAY SOBER THAN IT IS TO SOBER UP!

I was falsely diagnosed as BP 2, which turns out to have identical symptoms as PTSD. If you don't tell a shrink about trauma you have had in your life, they will assume you have a mental disorder. Point being, I know a lot of people say that you are born an alcoholic, and would be no matter what your circumstances. I say hogwash. I know for an absolute fact that if I had not had such a horrendous childhood, I would not have started drinking so much due to how I felt about myself and the world,drinking in excess and knowing it, becoming physically addicted and not caring. If it hadn't been alcohol, it would have been something else. I know the people in my AA groups would shake their heads, but I know me,

Point! I think a lot of people drink just so they don't have to deal with emotional or mental disorders. There is a chance that you actually do have one - there's also a big chance you have been misdiagnosed, given our culture where everyone is supposed to have a mental disorder of some kind . I know that with sobriety my head has become much clearer to where I can finally deal with things.

It's great that you are being re-evaluated rather than trying to diagnose yourself, which often leads to trouble. Good luck!

I am Bipolar and alcohol didn't help my situation. I feel much better without the alcohol but guess what still Bipolar .you know your body you know when something isn't right so it's defiantly worth looking into.

Geez, messed up. I've had so many diagnoses in my lifetime and I cannot keep it straight. We are all an experiment. These are all of the diagnoses I've had: Depressive psychosis, borderline personality disorder, alcohol dependence, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, manic depressive, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, schizotypal, you name it! Neurotic. I could go on and on...
This is only the psychiatric problems. There is another long list of physical problems.

Who knows? It's so messed up!

And you are right about being a trend. I have noticed that also. One year you are bipolar, the next year you are borderline personality disorder.

I know I have other issues besides addiction. Always have.

Not a laughing matter; however, my uncle said "Half the people in the world are bipolar. It is bull$hit."

I do agree that it is a generic cure for many folks who drink or drug. Try educating yourself on the issue of bipolar and see if it fits.

Best Wishes to you and yours.