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.
Very few, if anyone here now probably remembers me, but I was here three or four years ago. It was a tremendous help to me and I have gone this entire time without a single episode!
Not unlike many other bipolar patients, I went through a couple of periods where I wasn't that great at taking my meds. I continued to do well and about six months ago or so, I began to wonder if I was misdiagnosed and so I stopped taking my meds.
I have never had extreme mania. My episodes have pretty much always been extreme depression or panic attacks. Just this last Friday, I was moving from my hometown (of over 30 years) to a location a little over an hour away for a new job, new marriage and new home. I was feeling just fine (except for pain in my lower left kidney) from earlier that morning. It was difficult for me to take deep breaths. As I began driving ahead of the movers, I began feeling numbness and then a tingling in my fingers. That spread up my arms, then to my face and head. Eventually, my jaw began locking and my tongue became very thick. I pushed OnStar and they called an ambulance. I calmed a bit on the way, but had another episode identical to that at the hospital.
I was deathly afraid I was having a stroke. Fortunately, that was not the case. The CT scan showed that I had a very small kidney stone and the worst of that was likely over and it would pass probably without any major pain.
I'm not worried about the stone, but ever since this episode, I have felt the old depressive feelings coming back. I wake up anxious and worried and go through the day tired and thinking the worst about everything. It's hard to be happy. I eventually pick up a little, but it starts all over again.
I've started back on my anti-depressant, but wanted to hold off on the mood stabilizer I used to have because I'm afraid that I'm not bipolar at all, but rather chronically depressed.
I realize I should be talking to a Psychiatrist about this (and I most likely will) but it seems my problems are always depression and not mania.
Thoughts and discussion are appreciated.
I suppose my disclaimer should be that I'm not feeling just terrible right now. This is pretty light, but it's recognizable as depression. I'm getting the anti-depressant going again so perhaps it can get to work before things get any worse. (I know it takes a few weeks.)
Not unlike many other bipolar patients, I went through a couple of periods where I wasn't that great at taking my meds. I continued to do well and about six months ago or so, I began to wonder if I was misdiagnosed and so I stopped taking my meds.
I have never had extreme mania. My episodes have pretty much always been extreme depression or panic attacks. Just this last Friday, I was moving from my hometown (of over 30 years) to a location a little over an hour away for a new job, new marriage and new home. I was feeling just fine (except for pain in my lower left kidney) from earlier that morning. It was difficult for me to take deep breaths. As I began driving ahead of the movers, I began feeling numbness and then a tingling in my fingers. That spread up my arms, then to my face and head. Eventually, my jaw began locking and my tongue became very thick. I pushed OnStar and they called an ambulance. I calmed a bit on the way, but had another episode identical to that at the hospital.
I was deathly afraid I was having a stroke. Fortunately, that was not the case. The CT scan showed that I had a very small kidney stone and the worst of that was likely over and it would pass probably without any major pain.
I'm not worried about the stone, but ever since this episode, I have felt the old depressive feelings coming back. I wake up anxious and worried and go through the day tired and thinking the worst about everything. It's hard to be happy. I eventually pick up a little, but it starts all over again.
I've started back on my anti-depressant, but wanted to hold off on the mood stabilizer I used to have because I'm afraid that I'm not bipolar at all, but rather chronically depressed.
I realize I should be talking to a Psychiatrist about this (and I most likely will) but it seems my problems are always depression and not mania.
Thoughts and discussion are appreciated.
I suppose my disclaimer should be that I'm not feeling just terrible right now. This is pretty light, but it's recognizable as depression. I'm getting the anti-depressant going again so perhaps it can get to work before things get any worse. (I know it takes a few weeks.)
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Hey All...I hope that you have a lovely, peaceful beginning of your weekI have a bunch of chores that need doing but may put them off til tomorrow and just hang out with my landlord/roomie todayWhat about you?...Anything special going on?Have a great day and take good care of you!!..Xo
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Once again I've had a fever today. I'm not going to the hospital because that's a huge waste of time but I did schedule a dr appointment for Wednesday afternoon.
I'm so sorry you're struggling... I think a lot of what you're describing could be panic??
I'd be careful with an AD on it's own if you are bipolar
You've gone through many huge changes in your life jfulk....Life altering events that can cause a lot of stress
If I were you I'd see your doctor.. Even if you decide not to go onto any other meds you'll have the support you need and monitoring
All of the changes are going to have an effect for a while.. They would on anyone and I think having a safety net might be wise??
Great big hug for you..x
My Psychiatrist had about a year ago. He was fantastic and I really hated when he couldn't practice any longer. I went to another Psych that I felt very uncomfortable with. I was not happy with him at all. So I asked my GP if he could simply continue my refills since I had been doing so well for so long. He agreed and stated that if I should encounter any problems, we could find a better Psych for me.
Well, I think my meds worked, I just decided to try life without them. Stupid me I suppose. I'm back here because I always found that it was helpful to get the feelings out in the open when I was active on DS.
I just hate telling myself that I'm bipolar when I just don't have manic episodes. It's depression or normalcy. I don't mind having a label I don't guess, I just want it to be the right one.
He could always refer you to a support group or therapist if you need one...
I'd just be aware of your moods if you're just going to stick with an AD on it's own...agitation ..panic...anxiety etc... I hope it works well though
I've only had a couple of hypo manic episodes as well
DS is a great place to come for support...smile..x