i suspect that i have this disease, i don't know because my depressive episodes are not frequent. but when they do occur, i have a very negative view on life and can't move beyond anything except the negative aspects of life. i want to make sure that's how some of you feel, i am confused as far as that.

i've had history in a mental institution and i left under p.doc orders of taking depakote and resperidol. i've long been fixed and was taken away from those meds but not until recently i had another really bad depressive episode, so i'm back to the medications.

i have't been classified under any illness, my last p.doc told me that this'll never happen again. i was very convincing at letting him think i was fine, and i really was since i managed to get a girlfriend and Ace my spring semester courses. but now i'm back in the ditch

so my question again is if i am well under the gun to be bipolar. can i relate to any of you on here, do any of you feel some anxiety and just hate just about everything about your day, become anti social, etc when you're not taking meds?

thanks :)

Hi Bonaparte (nice name BTW),
Welcome to the Boards!! I think you will like it here, I do!

I don't know if I can relate to you, but here is a little about me so you can see if you think that you can relate to me. I hope that made sense, I kinda got lost thinking it.

I am 17, dxed at 14 and was also in a mental inistiution, mine was in Alabama (I live in Virginia), I got home in march and now am trying to lead a normal life. I do have some bumps, though. I am an ultra rapid cycler, Bipolar NOS and I totally understand the being antisocial when not on meds, at least when I'm depressed. I was so depressed for so long and totally rejected all social contact and now I have no friends.I also have anxiety all the time, free floating and otherwise as well. So, thats me in a nut shell (help get me out of this nut shell!!!)

Can't wait to hear more from you,
--steamroll

Hi,

A doctor can give you a diagnosis. Lots of us here have major depressive episodes, too. If I'm not on meds, forget it, I'm just a mess.

Bipolar usually carries periods of hypomania or mania, too. Do you have periods of time when you're high? Psychotic episodes, or just feeling really good, too good?
I know that some bps only have a hypomanic period or 2 and just have the depression.

Welcome here!

I am new to the board but thought I would throw my .02 in also. I think, my episodes are quite opposite from yours. I have tried so many times to go off of meds and do it my way, thinking docs didn't know what they were talking about. How could I have BP? Until I was told about BP 2, the bps with the hypomanic periods and more depression. When I was diagnosed with this it made perfect sense, now except that they are saying the episodes of the mania are like 4 days, instead of 7 or more. I don't have or don't think I have that many days of mania. I usually am low but once in a while I do get mania but only for 1 or 2 days. all of you BPs help me with this one, do any of you experience or have you heard of this?

OP, just don't try to do it alone...we can't afford to do that, I am having a real hard time right now with the pdoc getting my meds right, just got out of the hospital hitting rock bottom~would rather not mention why~:( but I am patiently hoping for a positive out come with some additional help of some newly learned coping skills, 2nd go round!
Good luck Bonaparte77! :)