wrong possible diagnosis?

[Isabella5991]

Has anyone that’s been diagnosed with cyclothmia also had an episode of psychosis with extreme mania? (Mine was delayed post partum psychosis at 10 months)

I’m really confused. My mental health team said I’m too complex to give a final diagnosis yet, as I’ve had lots and lots of different mental health issues. They said likely a few things, that it could be cyclothmia, including potentially autism.

They asked me to keep a mood diary. I have another appointment next week. Im on risperidone and sertraline since my psychosis episode 3 years ago, so my current disturbances every month due to pme around my period include: mild hypomania scary and or elated, mild ocd, bad anxiety, increased tics, depression after mania or mildly hearing or seeing things. I do agree that my symptoms are milder now, definitely due to my meds so I do get it on one hand why they’d say possible cyclothmia. But I would have thought they’d diagnose from my history as a whole and I feel I fit more with bipolar 1. I’m just confused? Unless you can have one major episode and then milder and can still be cyclothmia as a whole.

Before my big episode I would experience hypomania for a few years before hand and hallucinations. Do you experience hallucinations, voices and delusions with cyclothmia? As in can you have postpartum psychosis and then later in life cyclothmia? To me it makes NO sense and I actually feel angry how let down I’ve been over the years. Maybe they never diagnosed me with bipolar when I had psychosis is because it was lockdown and we were told not to go to hospital and I thought all the doctors were trying to poison me anyway so why would I get help quickly? I didn’t sleep for a month I was so manic, just had no need for it. I was home for a month unmedicated with psychosis and mania etc with no help until they finally told us about the crisis team and they treated me at home for a month. I did need hospital treatment though,i was seriously ill. It’s a miracle I survived really. I couldn’t drink water or eat.

We got completely missed to the point most of the psychosis has quietened down naturally by the time they realised how ill I was and the help I needed. Maybe that’s why no bipolar diagnosis?

im on a journey of wanting to understand my self better and these correct diagnosis are important to me.

Thanks for any help xx

[hgallo Volunteer]

Hi Isabella5991, I'm Hannah one of the volunteers at APP. I had pp after the birth of my twin girls in 2016 and a second episode in 2018 (stress induced.) Earlier this year I was diagnosed with bipolar 1. It's felt like a long road so I do empathise.

I get that you're confused - my understanding was that if you've had an episode of mania/psychosis lasting 7 days or more you usually fall into bipolar 1. But I am not a psychiatrist so it may be more complex than that. I totally get you wanting the correct diagnosis - that was important for me too. I've attached a leaflet form Rethink file:///Users/hannah/Downloads/bipolar-disorder-factsheet.pdf It mentions the 7 day bit on page 4.

You can ask for a second opinion as well if you're not happy with the final diagnosis. Have they suggested what meds might be suitable? Take care and I hope you get a resolution soon. Keep in touch x

[Isabella5991 in reply to hgallo]

Hello, thank you xx

I’m so sorry for both episodes you experienced, it must have been awful.

Do you feel a bit relieved now you have your diagnosis?

It’s become really important to me and I’m doing so much research. I’m desperate to understand who I am and why. I honestly feel offended they mentioned cyclothmia. Because yes my symptoms are mild now due to meds, but I have experienced so many mental health issues and at times severe. I’m just angry and fed up that I’ve been let down on several occasions. They have been amazing in lots of ways, but not always.

At my meeting next week I’m going to ask for increase in meds as pme is really tough past few months. I’ll try the pill or supplements if no improvement xx

[hgallo Volunteer in reply to Isabella5991]

Hi Isabella, the diagnosis felt a bit hard to stomach at first but it does make sense of a lot of who I am.

I understand you feeling angry and fed up - I was very frustrated at times being bounced back and forth from CMHT to the GP last year with no sign of a diagnosis. I think mental health is a weird one though - the professionals can't feel what you're feeling or know really what you're experiencing. You know yourself best. So in someways the label is useful but sometimes I have to remember we're so much more than that, all of us here have experienced trauma from the psychosis and the professionals can't really know the damage pp leaves in its wake. Sorry I'm babbling - but I just want you to know how I feel how strong you are too for coming through all that and now your frustration in trying to get a diagnosis is completely valid.

Is 'pme' related to your menstrual cycles? Keep in touch loves and good luck with it all x

[Isabella5991 in reply to hgallo]

Thanks dear for your words and support. Yes very frustrating!

Yes pme related to menstrual cycle. More often hormonal related. Post partum psychosis, a minor episode when stopped breastfeeding and every period there is something mental health related. In recent years hormonal related, but previous years more situational triggers

[NaomiAPP]

Hi Isabella5991

Women who've been affected by postpartum psychosis do have the option of a second opinion clinic with Prof Ian Jones or Prof Arianna Di Florio. You'd need a referral from your current mental health team but I know lots of families in our network have found it helpful to speak to the service about their overall history of mental health difficulties, mood diaries and recommendations for treatment.

Here are the details app-network.org/get-help/ta...

And the referral address

CUPS Clinic Coordinator

Hadyn Ellis Building

Maindy Road

Cardiff

CF24 4HQ

[Springvale23]

I too have cyclothymia . And identify with your struggles. One psychiatrist said he wouldn’t put a label on me and the next one said cyclothymia. I suppose I don’t care what they call me ,if I could get my meds right. I am in process of totally changing my regime of meds. Venlafaxine and pregabalin ( took final tablet 10 days ago) and starting on sertraline with a diazapam support before a second tablet is introduced. Dr appointment tomorrow for follow up.

After a few days of life not worth living, I feel brighter today. Hope you get the help you need.

[Springvale23]

Just read another one of your replies and agree with the mania 7 day rule. I am in UK and from speaking to others with BP 1, they all were given the diagnosis after being hospitalised following mania.

I have never been in hospital due to mania. My episodes are described as hypo mania. I become obsessed with things and can’t focus on anything. From being obsessed with a local author who died 100 years ago. Researching his life, going into public records to find information , not being able to discuss anything only this man. Then sometimes it’s a darker obsession. Life after death and what comes next. I thought a certain group of people were all going to hell. I couldn’t understand why everyone wasn’t worried. I went from person to person, searching for support to help sort this out. It took over my life.

Would love to know why.

Was at an open AA meeting years ago with a friend who was alcoholic . The speaker said he went everywhere and tried everything to find out why he was alcoholic . In the end he compared himself to being on the titanic, it was sinking and he stayed on board to try and find out why it was sinking. Trying to find out the answer was killing him. That’s me, I wish I could accept my condition and get the help I needed. But I continually search for patterns. I am rambling now. My mind is going down a rabbit hole. Need to shift and get some groceries, my cupboards are bare