Hey everyone I'm new to this board. I usually post on the depression board. I first of all was wondering if to have Bipolar do you have to have the extreme happy periods? I mean I never have those but my moods go up and down. Mine is more like way low to low. Of course when I have PMS I could literly hurt somebody. I have not been able to tolerate the side effects of depression meds. My moods are really strange though. It's like my brain will not slow down. I worry really really bad and will just cook stupid stuff up in my head. I was just wondering if maybe a mood stabilizer would help me. With the SSRI'S I have sexual side effects, headaches, no appetite. I would love anyones thoughts!

Usually (and that doesn't mean always) SSRI's will "tip" someone over if they are bipolar and haven't had the highs yet....
If you go to the sticky note and read the symptoms of mania maybe it will help you figure out if you have any of them.
Also, there is "unipolar depression" where it is a chemical imbalance in the brain but without the manias...

Thank you Ruth (:

Hi Janart

I'm of the opinion that mood stabilisers suit some people more than anti-d's even if they don't fit the 'classic' BP diagnosis. From personal experience I've found that mood stabs and the older type anti-d's have helped far more than the SSRI group, which just made me crazy. Do lots of internet research on all the drugs available and then, when you're feeling knowledgable, take your stuff to the doc and request that you be put on a stabiliser and/or change your anti-d. You may have to argue your case - I had to switch doctors several times before I found one that would, but once that happened I didn't look back. It's your life and you deserve to be enjoying it as much as possible.

Good luck