How manic is manic in bipolar two?

[Michelle34]

I have suffered severe anxiety and depression for a very long time (first panic attack eight years old). I've seen plenty of psychologists ect but nothing seems to help. Sometimes I am normal and even feel up but then I seem to come crashing down again for no reason. I've quit studies and work at times just because my mental health was getting too full on. I also seem to have PMDD and go into fits of rage unexpectedly and I can't control it. Lately I've been thinking it may be bipolar 2? my Mother and Grandfather had bipolar but I don't get extreme mania where I dont sleep. Sometimes I just feel up and excited for no reason and super chatty and everything seems easy and then I don't want to face anyone at all other times. Question is how up do you get if you get with bipolar two?

[white knight]

Hi, welcome

We cant diagnose but we can give first hand account of our own personal experience. Everyone’s bipolar is different however.

Bipolar is usually inherited. In my case I went till 54yo before correctly diagnosed. I also have dysthymia.

In my case when manic I tend to walk faster, work faster and become more clumsy. I talk faster, have racing thoughts, giggle more and can be accident prone.

That period can last a couple of days then I get more sensitive and sad- that period can last longer. I can have periods of normality and when I do I’m invincible and don’t feel I’ll ever return to those two extremes.

Just like a broken car we need proper diagnosis before anything can progress. My mania had my first psychiatrist fooled into a wrong diagnosis of ADHD so for 6 years I took the wrong medication! Hence a 2nd opinion is wise.

What meds do for bipolars is bring those two extremes towards but not totally, towards normality. Your bad moods will quell but unground symptoms like sensitivity might not change so there is a trade off with meds.

Medication has been wonderful for me. Lifestyle changes almost as significant. Things like relaxation, a tree change and ridding triggers like toxic people from my life.

google

beyondblue topic 53 years of hell now 5 years of contentment

TonyWK

[Michelle34]

Thanks Tony, yep totally not asking for diagnosis but just experiences, which is just what you gave me, thanks a lot! :). Yes I guess I have been trying for years and years with the natural stuff, diet, exercise and the like. Whenever I went on SSRI's they didn't work for me, I felt weird and numb. I just don't really feel like I can control my emotions at all which leads me to pull away from people periodically because I don't want them to think that I'm crazy or I have to lie and take days off work because I know I will burst into tears for no reason or have a panic attack. It passes and then I'm fine but it's bloody exhausting and hard to get ahead in life.

[white knight]

Hi Michelle,

I understand.

Due to manic periods I’ve had 90 jobs and 15 professions as well as 80 or so cars.

What I learned is a few basic rules you need to abide buy them introduce your own. Eg

• No shift work, no working with customer service including food,
• better to work 2 part time jobs than one full time. Less time among people that annoy
• I tried 12 meds before one was perfect- a mood stabiliser and small amount of anti depressants. Persist if you can
• Remove toxic people from your life
• Try a tree change
• relaxation

Panic attacks are terrible. Severe anxiety also needs treatment but self help does wotk

Its explained here-

use google

beyondblue topic anxiety, how I eliminated it

beyondblue topic meditation- he helped me for 25 years- Maharaji

Your fragility is what I still have, although stable now emotionally I can be up and down.

google

beyondblue topic triggers that lift you,triggers that down you

You May or may not have trouble with other people with conflict. I have had zero defences so I had to learn to set boundaries

beyondblue topic fortress of survival (also part 2) and (workplace)

beyondblie topic depression and sensitivity- a connection?

That is a taste of the huge library of threads we have here.

Keep asking questions if you like I’m here daily

TonyWK

[Curleee]

White knight,
Loving your words. I second your ideas:
No shift work, and moving on from less healthy friendships. The last 15 months since I was diagnosed (my alphabet is: BPD, BD and PTSD-C)..... it has been a whole process of having a clearer picture of why my life has gone as it has..... wished I known sooner.... but I've moved on from that grief know...

I had to take actions around the areas of my life that caused tension and upset, after such a long time of invalidating my feelings.... I have space and fresh air around all of my friendships now.... didn't want to take your thunder Michelle...just adding to WKs sentiments.....

I understand that BD is mostly hereditary, though I'm no expert.....
A diagnosis has been freezing for me
Be kind to yourself

[Curleee]

Sorry for typo.... a diagnosis has been free'ing for me
(Not freezing)