That's how things worked out for me!!!
(Although the main sexual abuse was from age 5 through 15.)

I had, at various times throughout the years, been put on ADs and/or anxiety meds.

I started having symptoms that set me to Googling and then self-diagnosing myself as Bipolar.

I went to my GP, told her my symptoms and my suspicions.

Since one of my symptoms was sleeping for exactly 1 hour and 45 minutes a night for over a year (and 2 and 1/2 hours for the year before that), she called a Pdoc right then and there, to see what to prescribe me for sleep and to refer me to him.

I was extremely lucky in that he saw me the very next day, listened to my summation of things, asked me a bunch of questions and then slapped me on a couple psyche meds.

And the rest is history!!!! LOL!!!

If your GP doesn't refer you to a Pdoc (psychiatrist) on his or her own, I strongly recommend that you ask for a referral.
And if you don't get one, go somewhere else so that you WILL be seen by a psychiatrist.

Because it takes a Pdoc to make a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder.

Good luck!!!
I hope that whatever is going on with will be treated and that much better times lie ahead!!!!

(((((Hugs)))))

hey thanx for your comment it helped. i will definatley get it sorted im the opposite with sleep though i can sleep for 12 hours and still feel tired

hi, I'm in the UK also.

I suggest you describe the symptoms and experiences - I'm not sure I would mention bipolar. Did you also check out Borderline Personality disorder?

The reason I'm suggesting not to say bipolar is because I think GPs are wary of people diagnosing themselves with the latest "in" disorder - so I think you will be better just saying what you experience - also how it is affecting your life, relationships, work etc.

anyway try and get them to do a referral to your local mental health unit for an assessment.

Remember that I'm not a professional but all your symptoms could be caused by PTSD. I don't know how much your GP
can help but it's a good start. I wish you peace.

Well, I DID give my doctor 3 choices, LOL!!!!

I told her that I thought I might have Bipolar Disorder, might be menopausal, or might have something completely different, but stressed that SOMETHING was definitely wrong!!!
(And I did proffer my opinion that I thought Bipolar Disorder was the most likely of the three.)

I already had a good, working relationship with my doctor!!
She knew that even if I was 'nuts', I wasn't nuts, LOL!!!!

Sleep disturbances can be caused by so many things!!!
Although this isn't what happened to me when I told my GP my suspicions, I think it would be wise for your GP to check things out physically, first.

Thyroid problems sometime have some of the same symptoms as Bipolar Disorder.

I started getting hit with extreme fatigue and (never a nap taker) taking naps almost every day, sometimes for 5 hours.
A blood test showed that I had/have a severe Vitamin D deficiency.
Plus anemia. That'll cause fatigue, too!!

That would be cool if it turns out you have 'just' a physical condition that can be easily treated!!!!

Thanx all ill go to my gp and just say what symptoms I'm haveing your right about the self diagnosing they don't lke that lol thanx again all x