Help

[SCK077]

Hi all,

I'm new here and needing to talk about bipolar disorder or depression before heading to the doctors.

Can anyone talk?

[spykey Ambassador]

Hi SCK077

I have depression & Anxiety, What you like to know?

spykey

[SCK077 in reply to spykey]

Hi there,

Well for as long as I remember I've had very low moods and then massive highs. More recently these happen more often... Like every month - I think they may be triggered by alcohol but if I do not drink I find myself either very bored and frustrated and want to do a lot or I get into projects that sometimes I never finish.

[spykey Ambassador in reply to SCK077]

Hi

Your description sounds like bipolar, do drink to cope with life, and find it helpful? It may be work having a chat with your GP to see if there are any support groups where you live to help with your depression & highs, some groups do activities as well & you'll be with like minded as others, your GP should have this info or be able to pass you on to someone else who can help! Do you feel that you want to do something about the alcohol? Do you feel that is a problem & want to change that? Again your GP should be able to provide some info of organisations that may be able to help!

spykey

[SCK077 in reply to spykey]

Yes you are right

[spykey Ambassador]

When are you due to see your GP? Do you feel able to talk to them about what is going on for you? Do you want to change things? The ball is in your court. You Dr should be able to help you get some help if you really want to, but it's gonna take some commitment from you! Sorry to sound so harsh! It's just that to make things change we need to be prepared to take the first steps, talking to you GP is a good start! Good Luck with that!

Take Care spykey 🤗🤗😺

[Fi68]

Hello, just for your information GP's can't diagnose Bipolar, but they can refer you to a psychiatrist who can. The psychiatrist can then prescribe any medication they think will help ameliorate the symptoms. I have Bipolar and complex PTSD and I take a variety of medications to keep me functioning at an acceptable level both socially and occupationally. As Bipolar is a severe mental disorder most psychiatrists will not be minded to diagnose on the first appointment unless your mania is so severe that you are psychotic, and if this was the case you would be in hospital. The doctor will want to exclude any physical cause for your mood swings so be prepared for some blood tests. Whoever you see try to be completely honest, make a note of how much you are drinking, in my experience medics always multiply what you tell them by three anyway! Good luck.

[SCK077 in reply to Fi68]

Morning, thank you for this. I'm slightly confused as to whether I have bipolar or that it is induced by me drinking or using drugs. When I have not partook in these substances my moods are normal but I just never know when I'm stressed or have been triggered. I'm extremely impulsive and can spend days in my room not wanting to speak to anyone. Perception of failure or being perceived as not a nice person are ongoing battles I have but again these issues only arise after a night of intoxication.

[Fi68 in reply to SCK077]

Hmmm...I am not a medical professional but an expert by experience, I think you have answered your own question. Alcohol is a depressant, any amount of alcohol, and you sound as if you drink a lot. So you experience the lowering of inhabitions when drinking and may behave in ways that are reckless and then you experienced the crashing lows the morning after that can last some time. Only you can really answer why you are drinking and taking drugs, it maybe that you are self medicating, have you tried abstaining for a month and keeping a mood diary? This will help you track fluctuations in your mood over each day. Once you have this data you could then go to your GP and show them. GP's can't diagnose Bipolar as it is a severe mental disorder, but they can refer you to a psychiatrist.

[SCK077 in reply to Fi68]

Thank you and it makes perfect sense. Again thank you for taking time out to talk to me. Wish you the best in your wellbeing.