Do I have bi-polar

Happydays88 · ‎27-11-2016

Hi all,

I am new to this page as a member although I have used the facilities in the past for information and help. About 3 years ago I fell into a severe depression and entered a mental health plan, started medication etc. my psychologist was great and managed to really get on top of the worst parts of the depression that was affecting my work, and social life.

Although I felt there have been some minor bumps which I have managed to keep in check using the cognitive therapy I really focused on, as of the last 6 months the feelings of emptiness and lack of motivation/sleep have really stopped my life. Last month I lost my job and have financially damaged myself, as someone who has a mortgage and maintained a relatively comfortable lifestyle with my job and pay. I'm really feeling this snowballing. of the last 3 deeply paralysing episodes I've had ie not leaving house no contact with family friends etc both have ended with a significant burst of energy, positive feelings and ideas to fix the problems that seemed impossible to overcome only a few hours earlier. theres are few other characteristics which do suit some of the mild symptoms of bi-polar or hypermanic depression.

My question is, is bi-polar or hypermanic depression something that can develop? Or happen in what feels like such a short time? I am prepared to fight this along with my psychologists help but I really want to talk to someone who has had a similar story, to confirm with my psych as we are both trying to diagnose or figure where my depression is leading

thank you

Nikkir · ‎27-11-2016

Hi Happydays88,

Thank you for your post. It sounds like you have really been through alot and have continued to stay strong and determined to "fight" whatever it is that is taking away from your quality of life and looking for some answers and some understanding as to what is happening to you and how to work through this. Can I ask if there was a trigger or event that led to you losing your job and things being worse ? I am sorry but I am not qualified to answer your question but we do have DR KIM on this site who is an actual GP so if you look up her link or I could send her your request if you would like me to, to try to get clarification for you ? I think its important you see your GP keep the medication going and get reviews on medication making sure it is the right one and continue to see a psychologist. If you feel that psychologist is working then great, if not seek out another one to support you. It sounds to me like you have alot of insight into yourself and your own behaviour and a strong will and determination to improve your mental health, so with the right support hopefully step by step you can reclaim your life in a positive way. Sometimes I think the isolation and no sleep can just make a situation worse and then you might try to turn things around making it seem manic. Sometimes I do this, i will be at home for a few days then I get frustrated and start a manic cleaning or list making or planning, something to change my current state. But as I said I am not qualified to directly answer your question but happy to ask the Dr if you would like, just let me know. Know you are not alone you can call us on 1300 22 4636 or Lifeline 131114 and hopefully if you feel like it you will let us know how you are going 🙂 Best Wishes Nikkir x

Kazzl · ‎27-11-2016

Hi Happydays

I have bipolar disorder type 2 and while I'm by no means across all the research, I have done quite a bit of reading to try and understand it. There is no definitive answer as to what causes bipolar, though in something like 80 per cent of cases it's believed to be genetic, and it is very much a biological condition.

As for whether it can develop quickly, a few things I've read have said that it can be triggered or 'activated' by a stressful event or major difficult change in your life. So the theory is that perhaps a person has the genetic predisposition but the illness only manifests after a seriously distressing event occurs, which might also coincide with an episode of depression.

I have found The Blackdog Institute's resources on bipolar very helpful - maybe have a look at that site.

Very best wishes

Kaz

MsPurple · ‎27-11-2016

hi happydays and welcome

I do not have bipolar disorder however both my mum and my brother have been diagnosed with it. As Kazzl and Nikkir have said I am by no means a professional and only a dr can make a diagnosis (usually they need to see you in person). Anyways my mum and brother both have bipolar however I am not sure if they have the same type. My mum seems to get really down then the next day she can be up and normal then the day after she can get a little manic (she is on medication and she has been instructed what to do if she feels a mania coming so she hasn't had a full one in a long time). She generally takes a day to go from down to up. She can also stay manic for a few days, before she was diagnosed I remember her being manic for a week. Everyones bipolar is different and my brother tends to get rapid speech and ecentric ideas when manic, where my mum tends to spend more money. What I'm trying to say is with mental health people may have the same diagnosis but different symptoms but it doesn't mean the diagnosis is wrong. I recently watched the steven fry bipolar documentry on youtube and back then he was told he had the milder form and know has been told he has biopolar. I think it can progress over time however don't quote me please. I only think this because my doctors always evaluate me for bipolar every now and again because of my strong family history or it.

Sorry hope I didn't confuse you. But I suggest talking to your dr about it. Also maybe write if you are up or down on a calendar. You may be able to see patterns and this may assist your doctor.

Kazzl · ‎27-11-2016

Well said Ms Purple, and spot on.

Cheers

Kaz

Happydays88 · ‎28-11-2016

Great stuff guys thank you so much, my GP and psychologist are now in contact and I have been prescribed more medication on top of my anti depressants, although I feel my symptoms are not as severe as some of the manic episodes I've heard, im still cautious as they're new to me.

Nikkir it's very similar to what you described but times three, I'm spending more and more time isolated (2-3 weeks at worst) and the frustration and self pity almost embodies to extreme opposites and trying get things accomplished, when I'm around people in the first few hours of this I can't talk properly and stutter my words and etc.

i will definitely start recording things from now on, and yeah looking for a few triggers in the last 12 months is going to be a key I guess and try to tie that in with the current state of things, my problem is I get quite "suppressed" with things that have happened to me and tend to tell people what I think they want to hear. Thank you all heaps for the replies I will be working off this and keeping in touch xx

Nikkir · ‎28-11-2016

Hi Happydays88,

Thank you for your reply:) It is always good to hear back and see how you are going !! It looks like you received some valuable advice and have had some clarification and insight. Yes I know about social isolation it really is bad cycle. You don't go out so you don't feel like going out and then you get scared of going out because you lose confidence. My suggestion is go to things that you feel somewhat comfortable and are quite casual so you can move around and chat or not chat, not like an intense one on one situation or a small intense dinner party. I have also found it helpful to decide before I go what I am comfortable to talk about and what I don't want to and things to say in a nice way to redirect the conversation if it is getting personal:) It has worked so far. Please keep in touch and let us know if there is anything we can do or resources we can offer or just chatting ! Wishing you all the best.

Nikkir x

Happydays88 · ‎01-12-2016

Hey nikkir I'm coming out of what i assume is a sort of manic episode in thatbthe last two days I've worked and afterwards I've done a huge amount of house work, things like cleaning gutters and mowing lawns although these are things I had neglected in the last few weeks and needed to be done it feels familiar thatbi overwork to catch up on, I have a lot to talk to my psych about but am wondering if there is any instance where think I am being manic or the fact that it was brought up as a possibility that now I am looking for symptoms?

Like I said before this feels familiar but I often have a certain trigger or incident after a couple of weeks that can bring me into a depression and no matter how hard i try to break through infeel so drained its enevitable

Nikkir · ‎02-12-2016

Hi Happydays88,

Great to hear back from you:) wow you really have been busy, but yes, I understand it might be a bit too busy.

Definately talk to your psych and GP, you know there is medication for bipolar if that is what you have. I think I mentioned before our DR Kim on BB as well. I wish you well, one day at a time and take care. Best Wishes and you know we are always here if you want to talk and would love to hear back from you. Nikkir x

Happydays88 · ‎03-12-2016

Thanks nikkir,

yes the next step is in action with psych next week and GP every 3 weeks and I feel confident that I am on the right track, thank you all for your help.