Anyone been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder?

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Posted by GoldenPrincess Oct 6th, 2009 at 11:55AM

dear mawna. i was diagnosed with having the illness 5 June 2009. this is an extremely important date for me because i was soooo relieved. the way i was diagnosed was i booked myself into a clinic because i had completely 'crashed' (depressed episode) after having been on a 'high' (manic episode) for months. this happened on my 34th year here on earth :) my psychologist LET ME SPEAK for an hour and a half (usually they can diagnose it by behaviour, but they need to listen VERY carefully because this is a slippery illness) and he told me i have text book bipolar 2. the medical profession is working on a way to find it in our blood, give them a few years.
here are some of the telltale signs -

MANIC episodes:
High energy levels
Very creative
Efficient and quick problem solving
Argumentativeness
Reacting without the choice of responding
Cognitive defects (balance is off, walking into things)
Need very little sleep
Impulsivity
Alcohol and drug abuse binges

DEPRESSED episodes:
Feeling hopeless, sad, or empty
Energy levels so low you can’t physically get out of bed or walk up stairs etc
Anxiety attacks
No interest in anything or anyone
Inability to experience pleasure
Suicidal thoughts
Just want to sleep and sleep and sleep...
Mental sluggishness
Appetite or weight changes
Sleep problems
Concentration and memory problems
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt

BUT here is the good news:
it can be treated
i am living for the first time, not existing anymore
acceptance is 50% of the victory
make war on the illness ;)
take the meds
be creative and laugh and work and exercise and cry and, well basically, keep the balance

AND KNOW YOU ARE NOT ALONE

Thank you for your suggestion regarding "An Un-quite Mind" because that is exactly what it feels like.

hugs x

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4 Answers to "Anyone been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder?"

1. 

   Posted by painespain Oct 4th, 2009 at 2:44PM

   I'm not bipolar but I know it when I see it. Actually, you can almost smell it when someone is manic. My son was Bipolar II depressive. That's the worst and he's dead. It is the cancer of mental illness. He was never manic but his depression was twice as deep. A terrible disease. Like most mental illnesses a good doctor is all you need for a diagnosis. Your actions are your blood test. But, if an undiagnosed bipolar takes an anti-depressant they usually go manic so that is a test. You must go to an Internist and make sure that you don't have a metabolic disorder--thyroid problems can look very bipolar to the untrained eye. So, after a thorough medical exam and blood tests that are all normal, yet you still have an unquiet mind--probably bipolar. If you are volatile and jealous and nuts depending on the people around you--Borderline disorder. This **** isn't that hard when you live with it for twenty years and bury it.

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2. 

   Posted by sylvester212 Apr 1st, 2012 at 4:57PM

   Yes, Bipolar I and then Bipolar II. Most doctors will no longer call me Bipolar, because I attempted suicide several times (and did not succeed). They were wrong about my motives, but there is no arguing in the mental health system - they decide.
   
   Bipolar Disorder is probably common in the lite version: mood swings that are fairly extreme, but not life-threatening. The "real" Bipolar person loses touch with reality and usually has a manic state that is very easy to see, since it is so loud and effusive.
   
   Those of us who are not as loud, but just as self-damaging are rather lost in the cracks. There is no reliable scientific test for Bipolar Disorder, to date. So only the most profound examples should be labeled completely Bipolar. All others are just guesses.

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3. 

   Posted by bipolarporch Oct 3rd, 2009 at 11:00AM

   My site lists all the leading bipolar sites, blogs, and news.
   
   Check it out to start your research...
   www.BipolarPorch.com

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