| Re: Is this bipolar?
I know it takes a long time to get into see a psychiatrist but don't get discouraged! I was misdiagnosed for 17 years and now that I have finally been properly diagnosed and on medication, the right medication and the right dose, I am doing much better. There are still bad times, I have very bad depression with my bipolar disorder but I do have those highs too. The thing I have the most trouble with is that I will become very aggressive and beligerant out of the blue to the people around me and I used to not understand why at all. It is part of the disease.
I don't know if alcohol can trigger episodes or not but I know narcotics have been shown to. I had a hysterectomy last year and was put on vicodin and it triggered a horrible manic episode, not the elative high, but a very mean, irritable,nastiness. This is actually how and when I was diagnosed. My psychiatrist said that certain medications can do this. He also said that sometimes when people who are bipolar take certain antidepressants it can trigger manic episodes. It all depends on the person and their sensitivity to the medication. Hang in there though! Going to the doctor is the first step in the right direction. If he/she can get your illness under control then you will feel much better, it may take some time for the medicine to build up in your system and for them to get the right combo or dose but as long as you are completely open and honest with your doctor about EVERYTHING that has been going on, have hope that they can help you.
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