I think I am bipolar II. When I am "Up" I am on top of the world
and feel like I can do anything. Sometimes that gets me in to trouble with my bosses
and has led to being let go.
When I am "down" I have no confidence and have trouble thinking.
It's hard for me to get things done and really hard to look for a job and interview.
How do others with Bipolar II handle this.
I guess I should have talked to my employers about it a long time ago
but I only recently realized this up and down trend.
is it something that was undiagnosed or did something change? Asking because you list 63 on your profile. The answer matters. Also , as a conservative when it comes to meds… have you spoken to a doctor?
I've had bouts of depression since my 20s but never diagnosed bipolar.
But ... the last 3 or 4 have been followed by periods of being very up and happy. So I really don't know if I am bipolar but my recent bouts suggest it. Also the way I crash from the up state to the down. I say bipolar II because it is not full on mania but closer to hypo mania
I have indeed spoken to a doctor and she seems to agree. Trying lots of bipolar drugs.
thanks
I was diagnosed as having type 2 bipolar disorder, and yes the highs and lows are no joke. The way you explain it is pretty much how I explain it to people who are curious enough to ask. I work as a manager in a mental state facility, and I did tell my boss about my anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. They have learned when I am not feeling myself or get overstimulated I need to take a breath. I was directed to the app Dr On Demad and found a psychiatrist that has been helpful in leading me in the right direction for treatment. It is simple and in my opinion more comfortable since it is done in the privacy of your home. My advice is let your employer know what’s going on so they have a better understanding of why you do what you do, or why it’s hard for you not to be able to do things at all sometimes. You would be surprised how some people are willing to help.
Great advice. Unfortunately I am currently unemployed and the trend in my field is contract to hire. As a contractor I think the employers might be less understanding ... but we will see.
Thanks for the reply.
no need to answer, but are you on any medications?
Yes, lithium. And we have tried a number of others in addition including vibrim, caplyta, abilify
Not sure what to try next. I feel like I really need to get out of the depression and then just try to control the hypo mania so I don't crash again
But most important get out of this depression so I can get a job
I suggest trying lamotragine. That’s what I was prescribed for my bipolar disorder. My psychiatrist told me that need to be dealt with first and then to start treating the anxiety and depression
Depends on the person. That was my medication and it was awful. It made my moods swing more when I was on it then when I was off. Have heard the same from someone else that took Lamictal
It's hard but I think what works for one person may not work for another. Recently, I got a full time job. Prior to that I was working inconsistently and that actually helped me stabilize my moods better because I wasn't working full time. As a server, I would work 2 days then have the next day off. Or work one day then have two days off. The schedule was inconsistent but because my moods shift unexpectedly and at random times, the days off were nice to recharge instead of waiting five days for the weekend. when working a full time job, it's easy to feel over stimulated at times and harder to get a break to calm down, or to feel. But I'm taking it day by day and am just lucky that my work is easy and accommodating to breaks. I'll go walk outside or get a snack from the cafe.
New to the site, Bipolar I and depression 
Finding it hard to focus on reading 
Anxiety and bipolar!!!
finding it hard to accept these feelings of unreality 
