Bipolar maybe

[Sweeshings]

Today my metal health specialist told me that I exhibit many bipolar 1 tendencies and put me on mood stabilization medication. She believes after a few more visits I will have an official bipolar diagnosis. I will start taking the medication tonight. It hasn’t really sunk in yet. I know my brain does not function like others, so I am hopefully this will fix it and make my life better. I however can not help but be afraid. There are scary possible side effects, I don’t know how living with a bipolar diagnosis will affect my life, I know it will affect how people who know look at me and that terrifies me. Does anyone who’s gone through his have any insights, suggestions or words of wisdom? Please and thank you.

[Suzie40]

Hey what mood stabiliser have they put you on?

[Sweeshings in reply to Suzie40]

Lamotrigine

[Suzie40]

Your description of a 'violation diagnosis' is an interesting one. Is that really how you see it?

[Sweeshings in reply to Suzie40]

That was a typo thank you for pointing it out, I did not proof read before posting.

[Honey10]

I am not convinced of these diagnoses. Many years ago I had eating disorder and depression I was put on medication felt worse. Then went for private treatment talking therapy came off medication got better medication free. Roll on 15 years I become ill again, put on medication felt absolutely awful. Couldn't sit still, could put on makeup, couldn't watch tv it was unbearable. I lacked motivation to do anything. The medication caused terrible anxiety, then put on another medication for anxiety. I gained 5 stone, went from size 8 to size 16. I felt numb, life was frankly awful. I ended up in hospital with two large pulmonary embolisms, a side effect of the medication.

Well a year on medication free obviously, how great do I feel alive and me it fantastic. Not to say been easy, I now use diet, exercise and talking to control my illness. I swim 7 times a week for minimal of 30 minutes, I do Pilate stretches daily. I eat three balanced meals, no processed sugary foods, I take supplements to boost my health. I would recommend Patrick holford optimum mental health.

I would think twice before medicating yourself. Why people don't turn to diet, exercise and offered lots of talking therapy beyond belief.

Wishing you good health.

[Janie1965]

I had a diagnosis a couple of months ago and felt very similar. I had been diagnosed with depression and GAD for about 15 years and despite the fact that antidepressants were making my symptoms worse, it just never got diagnosed. In that time my life was chaotic because if the bipolar. I spent a long time being upset and angry about having this condition, but also angry and upset for the years that I had suffered through it not being diagnosed. I found MIND helpful - someone I could talk to while I came to terms with it. I also found things like yoga and meditation helped as well. I was scared about the mood stabilizers because I had always had such a terrible reaction to antidepressants; but actually it was ok. After a while I started to realise that the extreme moods were easing and I could begin to trust my judgements again. Best of luck. X

[monicrt80]

Hello, I was also diagnosed as bipolar 1 this past September while hospitalized due to being suicidal. While I was there I was prescribed effexor and Seroquel. After I was released and visited a new psychiatrist she immediately stated I needed to wean off effexor as most antidepressants do not work or make life worse for people suffering from bipolar disorder. Honestly I had no idea and have tried several antidepressants in the past but it all made sense to me since my past experience were not great. Anyway, it took a few weeks for me to come off effexor, I was prescribed a low dose of Lamictal/Lamotrigine and worked my way up to current dosage. I have not experienced terrible side effects but everyone is different. I'm also taking lithium twice a day and Seroquel for sleep. Keep in mind that sleep is extremely important, especially if you're bipolar. My advice is to bring up your concerns with your doctor, don't be afraid to speak or advocate for yourself. In the end you're the one who has to manage and I personally feel that you don't have to tell anyone about what you're dealing with. It really doesn't matter and doesn't affect them or not their business. If you have any questions feel free to pm me and good luck.

[Jann3]

Hi I was also diagnosed with bipolar and tried lithium and many others and nothing works for me. Seroquel made me really dopey. My anxiety and panic are over the top and I am barely getting by and the docs have no clue where to go from here. I feel hopeless. I have had two manic episodes in 14 years and always had moody cycles since my teens, a definite hormonal aspect. Experienced much trauma and now since last years manic episode I’ve been not functioning well at all. I have panic all day long and cannot do simple tasks. I am desperate for relief. I have no life and my marriage is suffering because of mistakes I made last year unaware I was manic. And have two girls 3 and 8 and feel I’m losing my time with them because I’m so worked up all day long.