Types of Bipolar Disorder

[stargazer]

For the record, I think my primary care physician was wrong, since I definitely have depressive phases (more lately than usual, I've noticed), although my usual mood-state might be characterized more frequently as hypomanic.

It's been quite a while since I posted the above, and I am now trying to make sense of it. I don't remember how, in my mind, I was relating the fact that I experience depression to the idea that I must not be ADHD.

For the record, I read about bipolar disorder all the time, but I haven't really read very much on ADHD, and maybe I should. Other people besides that doctor have told me they thought I might be ADHD as well.

The doctor, however, did seem to make the observation somewhat casually, in a very brief meeting that took place primarily for the purpose of her prescribing some meds that I had been unable to receive through the County. I still wonder what it was I was saying, or how I was acting, that led her to believe I might be ADHD.

Also for the record, I wasn't on meds when I saw her (which is why I needed to see her), and I wasn't on meds when I was making the earlier statements in this thread. I'm on meds now, though.

 

[Sara-Bella]

What if someone used to be periodically depressed as a child, often excitable as a tween, but people believed they were just extremely strange or 'maniacal' and it was their personality, but sometimes experienced crippling depression. And used to also have panic attacks. Often due to feeling trapped, and coincidentally has claustrophobia. Anyway, what if now they are rapidly switching between excitability and agitated depression, with the normal periods becoming shorter and shorter?

 

[Banned]

I would say that their best bet to find out what, if anything is "wrong", is to a) get a full physical checkup including blood work and b) get a referral to a competent mental health professional who can properly assess them.

 

[Sara-Bella]

They already had bloodwork done a few years back, and is getting an assessment in five weeks . . . but what if they can't pull through until then?

 

[Banned]

They should specifically get their thyroid checked. A cycling thyroid can mimic bipolar disorder.

If they can't hang on til then, they need to make an app't with their doctor for sooner. They need to find a strategy to hang on. Do they have a therapist?

 

[Sara-Bella]

The thyroid theory has already been ruled out long ago, but it is rapid cycling, between mild depression, elation and agitated depression, usually, with normal periods in between. It's all clear right now, but who knows how long that will last. And no, there is no therapist. I'm assuming that's what the assessment is for.

 

[Sara-Bella]

I started taking Prozac exactly a week ago, and since a few days ago, I have been BOUNCING OF THE WALLS! All the symptoms of mania, and my parents are 'freaked out' by my behaviour. All I know is that I feel really, REALLY good. I heard that sometimes anti-depressants, specifically SSRIs can induce mania. Is this true? (All the staff at the hospital are confused by me right now)

 

[Daniel E.]

I heard that sometimes anti-depressants, specifically SSRIs can induce mania. Is this true?

Yes, at least in people with bipolar disorder.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

Daniel is correct. Make sure that your doctor(s) know about this.