Bipolar Disorder Support Group
Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.
Hello everyone, I'm a 23-year-old who has a history of Generalized Anxiety Disorder as well as panic attacks. I'm currently seeing a psychiatrist and therapist because I've been exhibiting symptoms of bipolar II disorder.
It's like a light switch was flipped in my head 15 days ago. After a very stressful day and intense episode of anxiety a series of intense symptoms hit me. I began having severe insomnia, high-functioning energy levels despite only getting 3-4 hours of sleep per night, decreased appetite, and increased libido. This is all very uncommon for me because I used to sleep 9 hours at a time and still feel tired, have no libido, and want to eat everything in sight lol. At the episode's most intense state, I literally felt a sense of energy and alertness in my head (thus, feeling like I didn't need to sleep).
The doctor prescribed me Alprazolam which worked beautifully to help the insomnia. I've been avoiding taking it daily though so I don't get addicted. Also, I had a very bad reaction to an SSRI in the past. Made me feel extremely agitated, restless, and I had brief insomnia while on it.
While I'm still continuing to experience these bothersome symptoms, I have noticed they've stabilized a bit and are not as 'intense.'
Is the 'stabilized' effect a sign that I could gradually be coming down from the hypomania? When hypomania ends is it usually sudden or a slow process?
The energy is nice and all, but I really want my sleep back :(.
Thanks for reading, everyone.
It's like a light switch was flipped in my head 15 days ago. After a very stressful day and intense episode of anxiety a series of intense symptoms hit me. I began having severe insomnia, high-functioning energy levels despite only getting 3-4 hours of sleep per night, decreased appetite, and increased libido. This is all very uncommon for me because I used to sleep 9 hours at a time and still feel tired, have no libido, and want to eat everything in sight lol. At the episode's most intense state, I literally felt a sense of energy and alertness in my head (thus, feeling like I didn't need to sleep).
The doctor prescribed me Alprazolam which worked beautifully to help the insomnia. I've been avoiding taking it daily though so I don't get addicted. Also, I had a very bad reaction to an SSRI in the past. Made me feel extremely agitated, restless, and I had brief insomnia while on it.
While I'm still continuing to experience these bothersome symptoms, I have noticed they've stabilized a bit and are not as 'intense.'
Is the 'stabilized' effect a sign that I could gradually be coming down from the hypomania? When hypomania ends is it usually sudden or a slow process?
The energy is nice and all, but I really want my sleep back :(.
Thanks for reading, everyone.
Sleep is a major issue with Bipolar - so, weigh pills of relief versus addiction? Well, you know yourself best, but its also a bipolar thing to Not want to take pills, or at least Those pill, or these pills...
You have found a great place with lots of support and experience that might help...lots of good people here ((((BIG HUG)))) Its very nice to meet you ; )
i would discuss the BP symptoms with the psychiatrist, and ask for a diagnosis.
Yeah, definitely discuss with your Pdoc how you take your meds.
But, years back, before I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder but WAS being treated for anxiety, I was prescribed Alprazolam and was directed to take it as needed.
I used to experience being hypo exactly as you describe and it would come and go without the change from one to the other never causing me any distress.
Now, however, for me and for many others, that going up, up, up is followed by a rather unpleasant and sudden 'crash'.
Usually, anyhow.
The last time I went up, I DIDN'T experience the crash!! First time in years that THAT happened!!
If I don't take sleep meds (and alprazolam alone isn't enough for me), I don't sleep. Period. End of story.
Hope you have better luck!!!
Good luck with everything!!!
Sleep is the best thing you can do for bipolar. I hope you find your sleep again and start feeling better soon! Again, Welcome!!