Possibility of Bipolar

[Dillon]

So I haven’t been feel good lately especially these past couple months that I am going to my doctor on Tuesday of this week. My doctor is wanting to do an analysis to determine if I bipolar. This would make sense as I’ve been getting more depressed than usual since the middle of Summer but I’ll have times where I am just full of energy and I feel alright. I’ve also been losing interest and motivation with my hobbies and activities such as creating art and drawing which I haven’t done since April and I haven’t even worked out for month which is abnormal for me. I’ve been having a decrease in appetite for a few weeks now and not eating as much as I normally do; I’ve been skipping breakfast and lunch and only eat a small meal for dinner or I just only eat breakfast etc.

Maybe that’s been the reason all along as to why I’ve been having difficulties with employment again given I’ve been having discouragement and low self esteem issues.
For those who have or suspect you may be bipolar is there anything that helps you like treatments and what not? I am not too familiar with the disorder so was just wondering from others experiences.

 

[Rodafina]

One indicator of bipolar is sleep patterns - do you go through cycles of barely needing any sleep at all? Do you also have periods of hypersomnia (sleeping too much)?

Many people with bipolar disorder benefit from medication to help stabilize their mood. Therapy is important, too as it can help you to identify your own patterns. Sometimes people are prone to poor decision making when their bipolar moods dictate their lives. For example, overspending during a manic episode. It can be helpful to have coping skills and support in place to help with the extreme highs and lows that someone with bipolar can go through.

 

[Aspychata]

Yes, l was married to a high functioning bipolar person. The highs are fantastic, but the crash and burn stage was difficult to deal with. They don't want medication. They do take ashwagandha and it helps with the manic highs. l think they do suffer thru depression so l try to keep everyday lively and upbeat.

 

[Raggamuffin]

I dated someone with bipolar who was medicated. It was difficult. Their peaks and troughs were quite tiring. But they also had 2 youn kids, so in general it was an exhausting relationship. Especially working 15 hour days as a carer too.

See what the Dr and tests say. See what meds might be offered.

It's a manageable condition in this day and age.

Ed

 

[Dillon]

So good news I don’t meet the criteria for having Bipolar as my doctor doesn’t see I display much in a way of manic episodes. I am being referred to see a psychiatrist for further evaluation. In the meantime I am on a new medication known as propranolol which is suppose to help suppress symptoms of anxiety attacks such as fast heart rate, shakiness, and nervousnesses.
Has anyone ever taken this kind of medication before?

 

[Cutesie]

Not having the classic symptoms of mania, I always thought that I must not have Bipolar. Last week, I did a quick reading and saw that my experiences could make me diagnosable with either Bipolar II or cyclothymia. It's something that I'll have to discuss with a psychiatrist - whenever I manage to see one.

You describe episodes of being "just full of energy and I feel alright". Did they feel wrong to you? Were you calm, or was there an edginess inside?

 

[WhitewaterWoman]

So good news I don’t meet the criteria for having Bipolar as my doctor doesn’t see I display much in a way of manic episodes. I am being referred to see a psychiatrist for further evaluation. In the meantime I am on a new medication known as propranolol which is suppose to help suppress symptoms of anxiety attacks such as fast heart rate, shakiness, and nervousnesses.
Has anyone ever taken this kind of medication before?

Propranolol is a beta blocker for the heart. It slows the heart rate a little bit and reduces blood pressure. It's difficult to get shaky or anxious when your heart is beating slowly.

It is used to lower blood pressure for people with high blood pressure. It is also used for some kinds of anxiety. For example, people who perform on live stage may take a low dose for "stage fright."

It's been in use for a long time. Side effects are well known. I've been taking it for decades because it helps control my labile blood pressure.

There is another person who posts here who did not like what it did to his body.

Your doctor is your best source for information on how a particular drug is going to be used for you and what side effects you might experience.