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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What am I?

nickpc20001
nickpc20001
Okay, When I first got diagnoised I was manic and up for 3 days , that was almost 4 months ago since then I have not been manic at all but more less depressed. I actualy think that when I was on effexor that it made me manic and that I am not bipolar. My doctor claims I am so I guess I am. Since I am not manic I am more of the depressed episode is it common that I have almost NO sex drive and motivation?
deleted_user
deleted_user
yes, this sounds like bp....some ppl have very periods between mania
deleted_user
deleted_user
I'm the total opposite of you. I am always more manic than depressed. Shoot I go for months without being depressed...but I get an OVERLY HIGH sex drive to the point it is all I think about ALL DAY. UGH, hopefully someone else is of more help to you.
deleted_user
deleted_user
No sex drive could be caused by ur meds. Bipolar usually affects people to the extent that they make rash sexual choices. but everyone is different. no motivation could be the med or the bipolar. and u may be like me and be manic and depressed. im a rapid cycler so it kinda sucks.
nickpc20001
nickpc20001
Well I just find it hard to get out of bed and do things. Just go to to the bank or meet a friend to give them back a t-shirt or something small like that it feels like it's a BIG deal to do something small like that.. Urrgg I hate this..
tommymott
tommymott
I agree with your doc. You sound like me and I was diagnosed manic-depressive/BP1.
Effexor won't push you into mania unless you're BP. It doesn't have that effect on non-BP people. The depression after mania is typical. Sex drive and motivation are affected by depression. So you sound "normal" to me! Lithium has kept my mania away, and with no mania I don't have the serious depression after. I wish you well. There's so much to learn and I hope you do better learning it than I have.
Take care of yourself!
deleted_user
deleted_user
When I was about 19, I was recently diagnosed with the illness and I had a huge sex drive. It drove me to sleep with some girls that I didn't really care for. I don't advise that. Since I turned 20 or so, my sex drive has calmed down and I haven't slept with anyone since I was about 20 and I'll be 22 in a few weeks. This is something I'm proud of. The motivation should come back. You should try to get out and into some volunteer activity and do something social. I tried AA for a while and it helped me relate to people who have both my illness and the disease of alcoholism. Stay on your medication and try to work with your doctor. I think you're just going through a depressive stage and that you'll get through it as long as you stay active.
Marilyanna
Marilyanna
yes
deleted_user
deleted_user
I was taking 150 mg of Effexor prior to my diagnosis. I think the Effexor spurred on the mania as well.