My sysmtoms started as depression and paranoia in March 2005. I started to have grandious delusions and became suspicious of my husband and his family. My doctors told me that I had been talking fast. I had no rushing thoughts or spending problems or having so much energy for a period of time. I had a lot of fear that people were going to hurt me. Therefore I became withdrawn from a lot of people. I had alot of anger due to paranoid symptoms. One of my psychiatrist placed me on Risperidon and I've refused. I was out of reality. Finally another psychiatrist convinced me to take Risperidon at a lower dose and I did it. At that time I have realized that I was having paranoias. My first psychiatrist told me that I was bipolar. My second psychiatrist told me that I have Depression with Psychotic symptoms. My third psychiatrist is undecided. It could be both he said , but left it at Depression with Psychotic symptoms and rule out bipolar. Prior to that I had alot of stress at work and towards the end I started to have paranoias and quit my job due to stress and the threats of paranoia that my supervisor was trying to fire me which wasn't true. Later on I have realized that I have had auditory hallucinations. Mild ones. My symptoms are under control now. As soon as my delusional symptoms controlled I came down with a severe depression and was put on Effexor 300 mg and Welbutrin 150 mg due to severe depression. I've felt like I was never going to get better. I am finally pulling through depression. I feel excessive sleepiness.
Can this psychotic phase be a manic period? Is there anyone who has experienced the similar symptoms and diagnosed as bipolar?I appreciate your input on this matter.

i was diagnose being bipolar and then by a different doctor depressed with aod (anxiety something disorder) and mood disorder. you probably are finishing with your manic spell, stress always sets me into a manic phase. the sleepiness is your transition into the depressed stage. the wellbutrin & effexor should help. try not to overload yourself ever in the future. it will set you off and the effects could last 6 months to a year. it's almost like a kid throwing a tantrum (sorry). if you get to the tantrum stage (just like a kid) you have to run the course until you calm down. preventative maintenance is the only way to protect yourself so you don't have to go through that! ;)

Thank you for your comments. It is more clear that I might be bipolar now. I also agree that I shouldn't stress my self too much in the future. I did it in the past and it cost me dearly. I was obtaining my graduate degree, taking care of 2 young kids and working full time. Now I am planning to drop off school because I am a healthcare professional and after obtaining my degree it will put more responsibility on my shoulders as a professional. I don't know if I can handle that at this stage. I am still depressed and I have lost my interest in everything. Including studying. I hope this changes in the future.

Hi Semi
Ive the same symptoms as you, interesting because I was dx the same in 93, but because the med for phychosis (older med no used much anymore) didnt help and the lithium reduced the symptoms I've been taged as bipolar ever since.

I would very much appreciate knowing what med or solution has helped your phychosis as over the years mine has become worse and at times overwhelms me.

I agree with Becmarie she offer a lot of good info and support. Stress is my worse enemy. Hang in there, you have a full plate right now, remember to take time for yourself. K

Hi K,
Currently I am taking Abilify(Aripiprazole) to control my symptoms. I am almost symptom free. I have been on it for the 4-5 months. Before I was on Risperidone. It caused a lot of sedation on me, therefore my doctor switched me to Abilify. For depression I am taking Efexor 300 mg and Webutrin 150 mg. My biggest problem is sleepiness. I can sleep 10-12 hours a day. I wonder when this is going to be over. My doctor also considered to put me on Lithium, has not done it yet. I am sorry your sysmtoms are still continuing. I also had mild auditory(hearing) hallucinations. Abilify has controlled that too. It doesn't cause sleepiness and weight gain as much as Risperidone. How do you like Lithium. Has it helped you to pull you from depression and boost your energy. That is what I need now. The only side effect I had with Abilify is yawning through out the day which I can deal with it. I hope this helps.
I also need your input about working with bipolar disease. After the summer I am considering to start working just to occupy myself, because I get very bored at home currently. What are the difficulties of work life and having the bipolar diseorder?

Hi Semi,
Wow, you're having sleepiness with Welbutrin and effexor, amazing. I just looked back and seen you're only on 150 welbutrin. Welbutrin is actually known for to cause problems getting to sleep. Ask you doc about uping the welbutrin and possibly lower the effexor. Just a warning Effexor seems to be great for depression but has terrible withdrawl effects. Taper down very very slowly. Some people have gone as far as to open up the capsule and take out 1 or 2 beads each week until they were off or reduced, you may not need to go that far but keep it in mind. If you're doing ok you might want to wait on the Lithium as it can can sleepiness and some weight gain. As for depression all it does is keep one from severe depression. I still have to use a antidepressant, but only when needed other wise it puts me on a manic. Generally Lithium keep me from getting manic, but without it not only do I go into a major manic episole the physchosis is horrid and I can no longer distinct reality from fantasy. I tried abilify but I had problems tolerating the side effects as I have with many of the meds. Maybe I should consider trying a lower dose.

Working, there are a lot of people that are Bipolar working, keep in mind everyone handles it different and there are different levels, mild, moderate, severe, physchosis etc, etc. Some people do ok until stress is added. It's something you have to try for yourself, but go slow, part time, low stress until you see how you handle it. Some people have done volunteer work first as a test before they re-entered the work force. For me when I get stressed it really triggers the phychosis big time, sometimes I become hypomanic to try and keep up with eveything then I crash and go into depression, but keep in mind. Im 50yr old, had a couple mental break downs, some family trauma's, so I have to becareful to avoid as much stress as possible. Good Luck and thanks for the info. K