Do you have health insurance?

I suggest seeing a different pdoc. Sometimes you get different opinions. I hope this answer helps you.

Is your doctor a psydoc or just a general doctor? If what they have tried to do doesn't help it's time to start asking questions and changing what doesn't work...doctor included. Do you have a therapist to talk to, it can really help to get to the bottom of your own thought processes and feelings. Good luck to you!

No I dont have any health insurance, Ive been thinkin about goin to another doc but im also not sure what to say do i just asked to be tested for bipolar or do i tell him my whole history??

I also believe you should seek the help of another doc and be totally honest. I can relate to your frustrations but keep trying to get answers and they will eventually come to you.

I agree about findin another doc i guess im just really afraid of not bein listened to again or worse bein told to go bcak on the tabs ive tried so hard to get of and stay off. Ive found that as soon as i admit to bein addicted to pescription med they seem to not want to help me. Ive been to counsellin but have not had much success due to cancelled appointments time and time again them not me which just made me feel worthless, ive been tryin for months now to find a new counsellor but once again cant seem to find help

How do they know when its bipolar or not just depression

you may want to keep some mood charts for a week and show a doctor so they can properly diagnose you. you can print them for free at http://www.healthyplace.com//communities/Bipolar/mood_chart_blank.pdf

also, wellbutrin works well for me. I have also hear zoloft is good. If you cant afford to see a pscychiatrist, most towns have a mental health clinic where you can get discounted services

Jewel, I am sorry you have had to go thru this and we can offer you advice and encouragement here. glad you reached out. Many of us have been thru similar expereinces.
I thin keeping the mood chart and taking it with you can help show a pattern.

If your current doc is a medical doctor (Mdoc), ask him to please refer you to a therapist who deals with depression and bipolar. It can be challenging without insurance. In my town there is a service for low income or no insurance for mental health issues. Ask to be referred to one if it exists. Our is slow and overburdened but once I got into it, was very helpful. I found the Pdoc slow and reluctant to prescribe for me. After 3 visits he finally agreed to my Bipolar diagnosis (DX) and prescribed meds.

Your answers to help him about your medical history help him to prescribe meds to help. The meds can take time to help bu they do and that is the hope you have to work towards.
I am sorry it can seem like a forever process but its success depends a lot on you to keep trying. Obviously your abuse history will play into it. Try to be sincere that you won't do it again.

There are lots of places online to get objective information about bipolar and depression. I use WebMD a lot. We can tell you about our experiences but since it isn't something like a blood test to detect it, it can take time and be frustrating.

Hang on and post new questions here or in the discussion group or message us individually.

You have shown great courage to reach out here. Let me know if I can answer your questions. I am sorry for teh loss of your brother. This plays too into the mix and makes your struggle to understand harder. I glad you have joined a community for help with this.

You can find some answers here. On the left side it has links to find symptoms etc.

http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/bipolar-disorder-overview-facts

For Depression go here.
http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/depression-overview-facts

Read a little and ask one of to help with your questions.

Basically depression can be a separate issue. It is usually a part of being Bipolar. Bipolar often cycle between depression and manic phases but not always. Hope you can see why it is not easy to answer your question without lots more questions.

Good luck

Thank you all so much for helpin me Ive made an appointment with my old doc who has known me for about 20 yrs i am hopin to get more supprt from him but also my chemist has given me a number for her mums doc she is bein treated for bipolar so i will try there if i dont get any success I have been thinkin of why it frightens me so much to go to the doc about this and i think apart from bein shoved out the door im also scared of bein looked at like an idiot for even suggestin it may be bipolar, also i am just wonderin if you can tell me exactly what a mood chart is? do i write how i feel at certain times of the day or do i write when i feel sad anxious suicidal etc as the day unfolds? im sorry it is prob a stupid question im just not sure what is the best way to do it?

Hey Jewel, glad this has been helpful. here a link with a mood chart

http://www.healthyplace.com//communities/Bipolar/mood_chart_blank.pdf

Good Luck,

first if you feel your doc is not listening to you, find a new one. then understand when bipolar people go on anti deppressants without a moodstabilizer it could send you out of wack. so i've heard. check into that.

Go see your Auntie and Cousins Doctor.

Go see your Auntie and Cousins Doctor.