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Bipolar Disorder
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Posted 7/24/2008 5:47 PM (GMT 0)

Hey everyone! My name is Lilly and I am 24 years old and I recently went to the doc for insomnia and he had me fill out a 10 question survey then diagnosed me as bipolar and prescribed me meds. I was surprised and it was news to me!! So I am feeling very bummed and confused about it all. I will admit that I can be very manic (mostly I volunteer for EVERYTHING possible in the community, work 2 or 3 jobs at a time and shop entirely too much whether I can afford it or not) but I dont typically have the depressive thing I dont think. I have a lot going on in my life right now(brother tried to hang himself, dad had surgery, step-mom left dad, dealing with joint custody of my kids from 2000 miles away, etc) but isnt it pretty normal to feel stressed and bummed with all of this going on? I have no clue,  what I'm doing or if I agree at all. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!!!

 

♥ Lilly

Posted 7/24/2008 6:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Lilly-
Welcome! I'm new, too, so I don't have a lot of sage advice for you, but there are a lot of great experienced people here that will help you. Did a regular doctor diagnose you, or a psychiatrist? I was under the impression that only an actual psychiatrist could truly diagnose, so you may want to get another opinion if it wasn't. Again, I am no pro at this, so maybe you will get better feedback from the others here. Good luck, it sounds like you have a lot of stress going on in your life right now! Your life sounds a lot like mine, so maybe if you are truly bipolar, I am, too!! Take care.
Posted 7/25/2008 12:17 AM (GMT 0)
Lilly,

Welcome to HW and the BP forum, wow you have a lot going in your life all at ones. I'm with mom2four about the diagnosis, make sure you get properly diagnosed by a psychiatrist; that can make a lot of difference over time. Also, when you get a chance you should look into getting a regular therapist, they can be a great source of help in your time of need. Stress can make anyone's head spin, and for people who do have BP it can push them over the edge.

Also, not everyone who is bipolar has the depressive side of the disorder, though it is not common; most people have both sides of the disorder. Please do not hesitate to post any questions or concerns. Also, know you are not alone, there are a lot of people who dealt with a similar situations and that might be able to help you.

Olivia
Posted 7/25/2008 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
Lilly, first, welcome. You're in the right place.  That sounds like a very quick diagnosis, Mine took about ten years .The dx has to be charted over a period of six months. The evidence of irratic behavion, I believe, must  be charted and preferrably not in the midst of serious subjective stressors.
Posted 7/25/2008 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hey all! This is Lilly! To answer the common question, it was a regular M.D. and it was the first time I had ever seen him. He talked to me for about 20 minutes while doing a check up, had me fill out a questionnaire then prescribed the bipolar meds. They make me not functional at all (sleeping) and when I called and told him he said my body would get used to it. Thank you so much for all the wonderful advice and I definately welcome more and more!!

 

♥ Lilly

Posted 7/25/2008 10:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lilly,

Let me welcome you also. Glad you're here. My voice is just to echo what others have said. That's a super-fast diagnosis of a pretty serious condition. It may be correct, but I would definitely call a psychiatrist for a second opinion. You'll need a psych for maintenance anyway. A GP isn't really well educated enough about psychiatric drugs to offer you the range of expertise you'll need in maintaining a stable mood. I like the idea of a therapist also. You're going through some really heavy stuff and having someone to talk to about those issues would be immensely. (Of course you can always come here and talk to us!) But having a professional is a great boon, and stress is really detrimental to bipolars.

Thanks for joining,
serafena
Posted 7/26/2008 2:21 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Lilly

First off, there is a lot of good info posted here.

But I must recommend you see a pdoc. Your family doctor may be a fine person. But lets imagine the situation was you had a severed limb, would he be the one to go to? Of course not, you would go to a surgeon. You may or may not be BP, but you could be misdiagnosed also. It is very unhealthy to be incorrectly treated. A 10 question survey is fine for a runny nose or an ear infection. But certainly not for a mental disorder.

Please find a pdoc to help you. The first one, as can be attested to by people here, may not be the one for you. Plus, if you are perscribed medication, find out what the medication is for and the side effects. My wife is a nurse and she gets so angry when she asks a patient what they are taking a perscription for, and they answer, "I don't know, the doctor told me to take it."

Good luck, and keep us informed.

Posted 7/29/2008 6:47 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Lilly,

I've been following your post. How have you been feeling? What do you think about everyone's suggestion that you schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist for a proper diagnosis?

I agree with all the others. A M.D. should not be diagnosising you especially after only meeting you for the first time. Even after talking with you and taking a 10 question test isn't the proper way to handle this serious diagnosis. It is scarey that he even gave you meds on top of it.

I'm really concerned for you. I hope you seriously consider your options.

Good Luck.

Posted 7/29/2008 8:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone! This is Lilly!! Everybody is so wonderful and I feel so blessed to have you all. I decided to try to take your advice and find a psychiatrist and therapist. But I am fairly new in town and upon research found out the there is only one center in the entire county and I work for it! lol I am the Public Relations Director for the County Counseling Center and I guess I assumed that there were other private therapists or psych docs in town. I quickly learned there are not. ( I live in a very rural county in a very rural state(Wyoming) I am unable to be treated or seen in my own facility so ick...I'm thinking now what?!?!?!? I think I am more venting than anything right now. I am not taking the meds at all anymore that my MD gave me bc they just make me unable to function. I think this whole thing is making me worse cause my nightmares are getting more and more horrific (when I can actually sleep) and I am getting more and more manic. Not sure where to go from here. Thanks.

 

♥

Lilly

Posted 7/29/2008 8:07 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with Sukay...this is much to serious of a disorder to be diagnosed from a 10 question quiz. Definitely get it looked at by a professional.
Posted 7/29/2008 10:20 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Lilly,

Thanks for the update for all of us. I think there is a way to be treated discretely. That is there business to be discrete. Besides, what are you afraid of? Nobody needs to know your business.

I would talk with one of the psychiatrist there and let them know of your concerns. You need to take care of yourself and get a proper diagnosis. If you are bipolar you will be well helped with some medications otherwise things can get pretty bad eventually. You already stated that you possibly are in a manic state right now.

After your initial diagnosis, most psych visits are only a few minutes long to do a med check. Therapists need a lot more time with you. Maybe one of them can see you privately at their home?

Speak up...I'm sure something can be worked out.

If all else fails, you should really consider going out of the county to get treated. This is a serious health issue. I'm sure most around here would agree.

Good Luck and keep us posted.

Posted 7/30/2008 12:06 AM (GMT 0)
This is worth going to the next county over for. How long of a drive would it be to the next town? I think the reason most of us are so hesitant about the MD's diagnosis is because bipolar is a tricky disease to diagnose. It mimics a bunch of other things. Usually the little quiz can give doctors a clue, but it's not sufficient to really diagnose you. If you're not bipolar but he diagnoses you as such, he might have you on a lot of heavy duty meds you don't need.

On the other hand, you said you're not taking your meds because they make you unable to function. You need to talk to the doctor about that. It's not a decision you should make on your own. If you are bipolar and you don't take your meds, you're just drawing your manic/depressive episodes out longer. You're asking to spiral out of control, essentially. But if you are on the wrong meds, you need the doctor's assistance to switch to new meds. It's important to keep the doctor a close member of your wellness team.

serafena
Posted 7/31/2008 7:52 AM (GMT 0)
This is Lilly. Is this the depressive side? I am so tired and cant sleep. I can cry. Thats all I can do. I started a blog on a blogger site tonight cause there is so much in my head all at once and I feel like I am suffocating. I dont know how to explain it but i silently cry with no tears until my head hurts and then it like explodes and I cry so many tears loudly and sobbing. For nothing and for everything. Does it make sense that I cry but can find no particular thing that I am crying about? That doesnt make any sense to me at all. Its always worse at night. I always feel so much worse at night. And I know if I go to sleep the nightmares will be terrible and I will wake up crying or screaming again. I feel like I am in a black hole. Insight? Am I crazy?
Posted 7/31/2008 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
Lilly-

I am so sorry you are having such a hard time. I don't know much about the meds, but maybe you are having problems from quitting the meds cold turkey? Surely your local pdoc can give you a referral to somewhere close by. ((((big hugs to you)))). I hope you find some answers soon!
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