' a hint of bipolar'...sounds like a wine-tasting comment

Paranoya*sp* Is a huge trait of BP ..and i dont understand how anyone could have a hint of bipolar ?? The thing to do is start communicating with your girl ..talking helps to get it out ..you need to talk so things dont get pent up and you explode ..as soon as your pdoc gives you the "results" you can start meds and your life is sure to get easier to deal with ..Good luck :)

and with a nice psychotic bouquet

Try not to get too upset by any labels that they slap on you. They aren't going to change you into something worse. You'll be the same as you are now (I know, you're not enjoying that, either, at the moment.)
But once they give it a name, they can then decide the proper treatment and it's quite likely that your symptoms will improve, with that.
Good luck and take care!!!

thanks for your replies pluck you made me smile when u said it sounds like wine tasting comment.

Dear Gozzy: Did you know that pdocs have to label you to get paid by the insurance companies. They take the diagnoses out of a manual called the DSM IV? (Diagnostic, Statistical Manual number 4) My pdoc has told me I don't fit neatly into any psychiatric catergory but we go for Bipolar 2 which is the closest. As for any mental health disorder, loved ones take on a responsability when in a relationship with someone who has a mental health disorder. Their task, should they choose to accept it, is to read and learn as much as they can about it and adapt to your needs accordingly. It has to be brought out of the closet as if you keep stuff like feeling paranoid all bottled up it will make you crazy. At first some people are uncomfortable around the mentally ill. They are afaid they might say something that will "set us off" So be open and honest with each other and it may make this hellish journey a little easier.

All the best.Maybe it's just a communication thing you need to see to between yourselves.

well, I can understand your apprehension, but they are are looking at what you already have. Once they pin that down then the chances are you can get treatment that will help you with things like your relationship.

I'm always paranoid too. I'm bipolar.

Whatever the result, promise that you will educate yourself, your girl and your family about your illness. Support from them is the biggest help at keeping it together.

I always knew I was different and as the years went on I was convienced if I went to a Pdoc they would call me insane, throw me in a rubber room and not let me out. It took me ruining my marriage to finally get over the fear and confront my illness head on. I now have a name for what is wrong with me and can now work towards finding the right med mix and counseling to help me become as stable as possible. I hope when stable to be able to put my marriage back together but if not the least that came out of everything is that I am better. Hope you can find out what is really wrong and work on fixing it.

Ron