I am assuming I might have bipolar disorder and I have one question to ask. A few ones to be honest.
Lately I’ve been super depressed but I started reflecting my symptoms. AND when I realized for sure it must be depression stage I got better. I am eating, sleeping laughing and the best part is that I don’t feel like I am empty/dead. The wall between me and the world collapsed.
Could it be because I’ve been reading a lot about bipolar disorder and it made so much sense that I felt a relief? I knew I am not hopeless anymore. I knew I will get better eventually. Does that happen to bipolar people? Does keeping ‘I will be fine sooner or later’ help them to get back on track? Tell me about your experiences. I am really curious.
I am in my early 20s and I am going to see my psychiatrist next month. It will be a new one because I’ve only went to doctors when I was about 16 but stopped because I thought I can do without any medication. Should I tell him I think I have bipolar disorder or just explain symptoms without guessing what is happening with me? You know, I could be wrong and that might lead to wrong diagnosis?)
Also, sorry for my English. Not a native speaker here.
6 comments
You’re right, telling him about the suspected bipolar disorder will impact his diagnosis. Preferably explain the symptoms without leading him. There’s three bipolar disorders, all of them on a spectrum, all of them with varying symptoms. If you’ve experienced cycles of severe depression, with pauses of unnatural happiness and mild to extreme productivity, for a sustained period of 6 months, then you’re on the right track to suspect bipolar disorder. O and I’m glad you’re going to get help.
Don’t tell your doctor about diagnosis. Just descriebe symptoms. It doesn’t have to be bipolar.
It helps when you know what exactly is the problem.
I just roll the die and pray for normal. Every. Fucking. Day. Of. My. Life.
Hello, it may not be bipolar. You can just have periodical depression or you just got better. When you are actualy bipolar, you have to have maniac episodes which are also devastating – it does’t mean you just feel good, but you do a lot of crazy things.
If you actually start to feel manic, you will have to start solving it pretty soon, do not wait for ordinary psychiatrist, call somewhere.
What metal said.
I think that I myself am somewhat of a manic depressive (though not bipolar); I have periods where I possess higher energy levels and am able to accomplish a lot and go out, etc., and then after a while I just crash and can barely get out of bed… or I ‘relapse’ into some form of self-sabotage triggered by stress and paranoia. (This also makes it very difficult for me to have friends, which probably explains why I have none. Ha.)
Right now I’m trying to learn how to ride that wave so that I don’t experience severe downward spirals. Kinda feel like a junkie who’s trying to quit.
Anyway, I empathize, and I think you should explain your symptoms first and see how your doctor responds.
You should ask your doctor if it could be neurological, too. I know that I personally have neurological health concerns (and sleeping disorders).