Can I get feedback for Bipolar ll, depression, and anxiety?

[Krystib]

I think I have Bipolar ll. I don't get many manic episodes (maybe 2-3 times a month) but I have a deep depression. I also have panic attacks. I have been on so many medications for depression and anxiety. I don't think my psychiatrist thinks I have Bipolar ll, how can I describe my behavior to get him to understand my disease. Plus he knows my Mom had Bipolar l and she was super manic at times and other times she was in bed for days at a time. Please help me so I can feel better and stop just getting changed in my meds just to make my psych dr happy... Anyone suffering from Bipolar l and how do you handle it. (I can't see a counselor as there are now in my area (I live in a rural area) and have to skype to see a psych dr. Thanks for any feedback!!

[kindredone]

I totally under you. I have major depressive episodes. Crying. Curling up and feeling like all the heat in the world is come off my back. Intense episodes, I guess you could call them. Bipolar is genetic, so I'm surprised the MD wouldn't be more willing to diagnosis you. I mean, the first drug they usually use is Lithium. [Pharmacy Technician Here - I can't recommend anything] I can however tell you my experience. We have a local governemtn funded mental hospital for out/in-patients. They pay for the medications and everything. I wish I could just transplant one in every community. I would seriously say, use the app 'Up' It tracks your ups and downs and you even send your doctor a PDF of the results. It helped me learn my ups and downs for a little while, but it I'm still pretty sparactic. I also used Facebook Memories because back in the day, I would post when i was down, and because of the events button, you can show the ups and down that way too... lol. I know I'm silly. I doubt people share like I do on fb. lol. I do wish you the best friend. You are not alone. There are many of us that are curled in the dark, but we're in the dark together.

[Krystib in reply to kindredone]

Thank you for your kind words. My husband says my manic phases are when we are out in the community and I just start talking to people around me. I have always been shy but for some reason, I can't stop doing that. Also when I text my family and friends it usually takes 2-3 texts to go through because of my rambling. But my depression is also bad. I feel like the world is caving down on me, my heart races, I feel dread and despair and have to take my Xanax to help calm me down. My psych doc is lowering my Xanax and I am so afraid that the lower doses won't help me at all. He said I was taking too many meds and was trying to lower and change the meds I am taking. I hope he is right because it hasn't been easy these last couple of months.

[c-mac in reply to Krystib]

Yeah, he might be right about the Xanax. I'm not sure that's advisable for depressives, or bipolar patients.

[Molly417 in reply to Krystib]

Plz get away from the xanax. It is a depressive drug if u have depression it makes it worse

[c-mac]

I have bipolar II. For me, back when I was untreated, I'd be depressed most of the time, but once in a rare while get high -- but I wouldn't lose touch with reality, I'd just be really energized about everything (and sometimes a little embarrassingly so.) But mostly it was depression. Interesting what you say about being shy -- I was very shy until my first manic episode in my early teens, and I haven't been shy since.

[Solitare]

I have been diagnosed with depression and bipolar II. I walked into a psych's office needing different meds for depression. talked with him and he said I had bipolar II and depression. Not sure what i said , but the drugs helped tremendously. Not a cure all but much better than before. Dr's name is Krause 303-752-2082. Maybe he can help via phone or contact your dr. Good luck-this is not fun and there is no cure, but the right drugs help.

[Molly417]

I have bipolar 2, clinical depression and general anxiety. I have had these issues since my late teens, diagnosed in my mid thirties, and still struggle at 57. Medication and therapy has helped me but this just never goes away.

[SunIsShining]

Look up the symptoms of Bipolar II and bring that to your doctor, go through the symptoms and tell her your experience with them