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.

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Jenniferswe 09/20/2016

I'm not sure why this bout of depression started. I do have a couple theories. I'm so freaked out by things including normal everyday stuff. Like most people, my life is not ideal. It's like I can't handle life anymore. I've spent many years being responsible that I became worn out. I'm taking my meds and trying to take care of myself.

My psychiatric nurse practioner who I have seen for many years has me one the same meds the whole time. She just changes the amount slightly during the year. She has told me that many times my depression is situtional and I have had some stressful stuff happen. I'm wondering if I should get a 2nd opion. That sounds really scary and my current person is good. It's just that I don't understand why I feel depressed more than feeling fine.

I feel like I don't know what I am doing anymore. I wish I had someone here to hug me and tell me good things.

Update:

Still depressed. I think it might be the increase in my lithiumn a couple weeks ago. This is usually done around this time of year and I think this happened last year. I can't really remember what happened clearly. I think my brain chemicals have gone wacky while adjusting to the increase before they stablize. I'm still considering the 2nd opinion.

Preciousbabygirl 09/20/2016

I feel your pain on that one!!! More often than not, that's the one thing that I wish for is someone to just come hold me and tell me everything is going to be alright or at the very least do able in the end. You know? Worth it. So I know how you feel. A lot of times the depression is situational, that's what my pdoc says too. He wouldn't change my meds for me he just scheduled another appt and said if it's not better by next week we're putting me in the hospital. Thank God it's better because I don't want to go to the hospital. Anyway, if you want a teddy bear hug, I'll send you one of mine

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((JEN))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

OlderCPer 09/20/2016

Ummm..YES..don't walk to a real Psychiatrist and get a 2nd opinion, run, run very fast.

Your Psych NP doesn't seem to know much about BiPolar Disorder or she'd never say something as ridiculous as "your depression is situational". BiPolar Depression does not come and go because you have a bad day and then it gets better. Its a disease, a mental disease that requires a very specific cocktail of meds to manage it and help you be Stable. Seriously, you need to go see a real Psychiatrist and have your Diagnosis verified or changed.

Take care,

Jenniferswe 09/20/2016

thank you both. I'm going to look into seeing a psychiatrist and make

Jenniferswe 09/20/2016

thank you both. I'm going to look into seeing a psychiatrist and make sure I find a good one. Preciousbabygirl, thank you for offering me a teddy bear. I do have one and a grumpy cat plush I like to hug.

arfie 09/20/2016

My most respected pros encourage me to get as many opinions as I can find and ply whichever opinion most resonates with the current episode. Yes, there are cycles within my dysfunctions, but the variables change, at least a little bit, with each go-round. What got me through the last depression might not work as well with the next depression.

It works for me. . . Sometimes better than others. Where is my perfect life? ? ?

Gentle support while you find what works for you, Jen.

autumn8890 09/20/2016

I am glad you are looking into another psychiatrist. My meds work for 4 to 9 months at a time. I am medication resistant sometimes and often have to change meds or increase dosages but my pdoc would never say my depression is situational, I think situations can trigger your depression but it often takes meds or therapy or both to handle it. Best of luck and big HUGS!!

Sunshinegirl0228 09/20/2016

My depression started out as situational and ten slowly evolved into fear where the depression just "is" now. I get it. You mentioned your np but do you have an actually therapist? Pdocs are for meds, therapists are for, well, for therapy. If your depression is situational them there must be some changes you can make in your life. And a good therapist can teach you coping skills and other tools to manage your life. I hope for the best for you. This bipolar business is a complicated mess. I would love to know the secrets of the most successful people with bipolar. That make it look so easy

irishwriter 09/20/2016

I wish i knew the answer. hugs

MayB 09/20/2016

Jenn there is nothing wrong with being an advocate for yourself. Although many health professionals think they are authorities on depression they often know remarkably little. I guarantee you if your nurse was depressed she wouldn't sit there and do nothing because her depression was situational!

Jenniferswe 09/20/2016

I have a therapist. I have learned a lot about myself since I started seeing her. Thank you everyone.

irishwriter 09/20/2016

It is good to hear that you have a therapist. i hope he/she helps.

mlr0853 09/21/2016

Hi Jen...the post from olderperson, Run...run now...and run fast is the most direct action to find peace and healing given any 'situational' or clinical causations of bp mania/depression. Just my thought...a 'nurse' is Not A Doctor. A psydr. has been trained for psy, and has a medical degree. Perhaps you could check with friends, or local hospital for recommendations...usually hospitals have pics/degrees for psydr. on their website. I've lived with bp for 35yrs, psychotic once, manic, several times, mainly clinically depressed. From 1984 to 2016, hospital 2 times, why? Good "Doctors". snuggle hugs, take care, ML

Jenniferswe 09/21/2016

Thank you

SunCloudJD 09/21/2016

I agree to see a pdoc as well... You may need a med change... I understand just tweaking them a little if what your on has worked for a long time however if it's not working for a period of time I would revisit you meds and pdoc's are experts.... A lot of us do go through a dip in the Fall ... I have been much lower myself... Big hug....xo

Jenniferswe 09/21/2016

thank you

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