New here. Resisting the BP dx - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

workerbee · 08-30-2003, 12:46 PM

I'm 37 years old, and for most of my life was told I have GAD. Now, I have a new shrink, who is trying to label me as bipolar. I suppose it may appear that way....I'm currently feeling something that may be close to hypomania (but !@#$%! I haven't felt this good in years, plus I'm super-productive and willing to constantly dance to the Wiggles with my 2 year old!

)

I've been taking Zoloft (50mg/day) for 7 months now. The doc refused to renew my Ativan scrip, and wants me to take olanzapine. I tried it one night, sure it allowed me to get a full night's sleep, but I was tired and decidedly less *happy* the next day, so I stopped taking it.

I'm not sure what to think. I do have a history of anxiety, bulemia, suicide attempts (over 8 years ago), and substance abuse (over 7 years ago), but really I am quite normal, LOL. I have 3 kids, a husband, a FT job (in a science field, no less). It seems too bizarre that I could have such a serious mental illness go undiagnosed all these years.

Anyway, I'd appreciate any input from all you wise folks.

TIA,

JJ

schragie · 08-31-2003, 02:55 PM

Hi Bee,

I have been resisting the BPD label for years--still call it my "alleged" diagnosis.

Problem with the (hypo)mania, which you say you might be experiencing is that it feels good, right? Every time I have gone that way, I have won kudos and raises at work for my productivity and people thought I was fun to be around. Plus my house was so clean from staying up all night organizing things. I have never been able to sustain the feeling for more than a few weeks. The sad part is that you eventually crash--into exhaustion, and, worse, depression.

I was given Zyprexa (olanzapine) for a month to stop the worst symptom I had which was not sleeping. While you might feel a little drugged in the morning, your body is better for having rested. Maybe your dose was too high?

Please check with your doc. Forget the labels for now at least and just try to get back to an even keel. There are some good chat rooms at about.com for bipolar disorder you might want to check out.

Good luck!
Lisa

schragie · 08-31-2003, 02:58 PM

One more thing!

If you do happen to be Bipolar, taking an antidepressant without a mood stabilizer (like Depakote or Lithium) could throw you into mania.

Like you, I lead a fairly normal life, am in a science field as well, and have achieved quite a bit in life. When the ugly depressions take over, it's so devastating. But they do pass, and catching it early helps me get the meds I need.

Good luck and I hope you're feeling better soon.

Lisa

workerbee · 09-01-2003, 10:01 AM

Thanks so much for the feedback, Lisa. Yes, if this is hypomania, than it feels great and I just can't willingly give it up. I am so busy anyway in my life that being this productive is a *good* thing.

I guess I just need more evidence that this is some sort of BPD. I can't forsee myself crashing very hard into depression, because I have always managed to keep it in check (at least for the past 6 or 7 years).

Maybe this is unreasonable.....but I am a natural skeptic. I see my psychiatrist tomorrow, and will try to convince him he's wrong, LOL.

Thanks again for your reply.

JJ

schragie · 09-02-2003, 09:52 PM

Hope your appointment went well, Bee.

Diagnosis of mental illness is so complicated, but if you have experienced bouts of depression here and there and some hypomania, a BPD diagnosis is usally made.

Sometimes I think docs spent so many years under diagnosing BPD that they're trying to make up for it now.

I was diagnosed with depression for years on and off. I would take an antidep for a few months and then start hedging into hypomania from taking the antidepressants. Of course, I would stop seeing my doc and stop taking the drugs because I felt good and the whole cycle would start again in a year or two.

Best you can do is listen to yourself and use those around you like your husband, friends, docs, to help you monitor how you're doing.

Best of luck!

Lisa