After years (six) of seeing psychiatrists for depression, OCD, anxiety, and anorexia nervosa, i have been diagnosed Bipolar II with Anorexia Nervosa. Apparently that sums up all my symptoms.

Just wondering how everyone else copes with the diagnosis. Should I tell my boss, or the people at uni (lectureres, course coordinator)? I'm fairly certain I should but I'm not really sure how, or even if I do what good it will do. If I'm manic I'm not going to ask for help, if I'm depressive I'm not going to feel worthy of asking for help. Any help?

Hi

You have gone through the same route I went through for many years. I'm sorry it took so long for you to find the right diagnosis to receive the appropriate treatment.

I too, have Bipolar II (with rapid cycling), an eating disorder, and agoraphobia. It took about 8-10 years, can't remember how long anymore, but about that time frame, for me to get dx'd with Bipolar Disorder. I went through many psychiatrists, MD's, tdocs, and it was all I could stomach with the various diagnosis' of Major Depression, Depression, to anxiety, anorexia, and bulimia. In the fall of 1988 I was hospitalized for bulimia. That was a turning point or a complete downfall with the eating disorder. I think I went completely manic after that, and the eating disorder got out of control from there for many years afterwards til I got married in 1992. For me, getting married to my DH was a blessing. He helped me recover, and find treatment, and has been my solid person who has stood beside me through thick and thin through it all. Not everyone in my family has been so generously supportive.

You mentioned whether or not to share with your boss. There is a thread on this Bipolar Forum that is to 'share with others', and I can't remember the name of it but it is in regards to that topic. I am very cautious about who I share my illness with and why. That also includes the eating disorder. However, when I was in college, I will say that the college professors were very empathetic towards the eating disorder issue when I got out of the hospital. And, when we had to discuss 'eating disorders' in one of my social classes, I spoke with the professor afterwards and told him I had an eating disorder afterwards in private. He was very concerned and caring; non-judgemental. That is a good example, then again, I had a doctor treat me rudely once because of the Bipolar issue and because I was taking mood stabilizers. She questioned that I should be on the 'pills' and that I was Bipolar. Then she questioned my pdocs judgement. I never went back to her again.

I wish you luck with what you decide to do as I know this is a touchy subject and a tough decision to make. It effects how you find support from others in your life.

Take care of yourself and post when you can.

Hugs

Coffeegirl