Is it Depression or Bipolar?

[Saphira]

So I've been treated for depression for the last 10 years (I'm 25 now) medications have never done all that much or stopped working eventually.

I've never thought I had Bipolar but I'm only starting to wonder now.

My ex partner mentioned about 6 months ago that he thought I had Bipolar because of the frequency/severity of my mood swings but I didn't really pay it any mind until a lady I work with mentioned she thought I have it (she has similar mental problems and so picks up my mood swings better than I do)

Basically I have major depression with how I would always see it, brief and rare gaps of happiness or feeling normal which would always make me rather energetic and bubbly/ talkative. I've always put this down to it being a snowball effect because I was feeling so good about feeling good!

When I crash, I crash hard and fast in an instant, there are no warnings or slowly easing back into a depressive state, this lady I work with mentioned that her crashes are more in steps bit by bit. So I'm wondering if there are other people with depression who INSTANTLY drop back down into a depressive state with no triggers or if this could be something else.

I do notice that I speak and think faster/don't sleep as much when I'm up but this is maybe max a few days and with gaps of anywhere between weeks to months.

When I'm down it's the usual depression, can't get out of bed, can't get enough sleep, talk and think slower.

I'll be going to the doctors regardless but as I'm sure everybody here is aware that not every GP is specialized in this area so want to see if there are anyone that is on specific Bipolar medications that don't have extreme symptoms that fit the general stereotype.

Thanks in advance! 🙂

[white knight]

Hi Saphira, welcome

We cannot diagnose.

There are so many possibilities and being individuals this makes it even more specialised and that is why there are psychiatrists.

You likely know all this but other readers might not.

As an example, l have depression, bipolar type 2 and dysthymia...a low mood constant depression. You can see how complex that is.

For general knowledge google the illnesses and learn.

Tony WK

[MallowPuff]

Hiya Saphira,

cool name, like it! Bipolar ya reckon? as a recently diagnosed Bipolar bunny, it's certainly not an easy one to work out, let alone diagnose. As Tony mentioned, reading up can help make sense of what Bipolar is, and what the (many) symptoms can be, so hopefully you can then have a better and more directed conversation with your health care professional.

For me diagnosis meant a GP and psychologist relationship, to get to know me and try to understand a few things, before my GP then brought a psychiatrist into the picture. It also wasn't until my second psychologist and second psychiatrist until I was diagnosed Bipolar (within 12 months). It took a while to find the right mix, and the right type of people I could click with and help make it all make sense. Oh and I tried a counselor in there too, but that turned out to be a stereotypical "lets talk about your childhood and your relationship with your parents" lol.

So you seem to have the right idea, talk to your GP first and raise the topic, and ask how they can help, and what's next. Then from my experience above, know that it may take some time to bounce around, and get someone to better understand you and your situation.

One thing I've learnt too, is that Bipolar seems different for each individual person. It has some basic traits, but how they get displayed/exhibited in each person may be very different, and to different extents/extremes.

Good luck on your journey, a level of self-awareness or inquisitiveness is a certainly good start. Keep asking questions!

Here's hoping it's a negative on Bipolar for you too 🙂

[anqly]

I have these symptoms too. i did think I have bipolar too but my family didn't want me think about it. I really worries about it. I may talk privately with GP (my GP is family GP I dont want to talk with him about this matter 😞 )

[Kazzl]

Hi Anqly - welcome to the forum and well done for posting about your concerns.

If this is playing on your mind, I think you really do need to speak to a doctor. I understand your reluctance to see your family doctor, but unless you feel confident about seeing someone else, you might need to be brave and make an appointment. Doctors are bound by patient confidentiality and can't talk about you with family members unless you allow them to.

If it turns out you have bipolar disorder, the sooner you start treatment and get to understand the illness, the better you will be in the long run. (I have bipolar disorder type 2 BTW.)

Have a read of the info on bipolar on our site, and I suggest also looking at the Black Dog Institute website. They have a speciality in bipolar, and there's a questionaire on the site that might help you rule the possibility in or out before you see the doctor.

Anqly - would you like to start your own thread here so you'll be a bit more visible to others in the our community. We have a lot of good people here who have been through what you're going through now. I'm sure they'd like to talk with you.

And a little shout out to Saphira if you're looking in - how are you going? Hope things are OK for you.

Best wishes

Kaz

[anqly]

Thanks, I did make a test and score 50

I don't know should I started a new thread because I still not quiet sure I have depression or Bipolar.

[Kazzl]

Hi Anqly - that doesn't matter hun. You don't have to have a diagnosis. Just start a thread either in the Welcome and Orientation section, or in the Depression section, and introduce yourself a bit. People will find you more easily there, and I'll post to you there too.

That's a fairly high score hun. These questionnaires don't give a diagnosis, but what they can tell you is that you have certain indicators for bipolar and it's time for a doctor's opinion.

See you soon I hope.

Kaz