New member

I have been seeing doctors for mental disorders for about 9-10 years now(terrible with dates and times). I was last diagnosed Major depressive reoccuring and anxiety disorder. Yesterday i had to go to a new doctor due to insurance change. They had my diagnosis as bipolar.
Who knows. I do not know where they got the idea of bipolar because other than irritability and impulse control i do not see it. My main complaint is the depression. I sleep a whole lot and do not shower but maybe once a week just do not have any desire to do anything. I do have times i feel i have to go just do something i know that's from the anxiety.After doing some reading and talking with some people I now realize there are a few other things i need to tell doctor like i sleep with tv and light on (feel safer).Also lately i am afraid of food. I eat but am not happy about it.I am sure i am poisoning myself.
Anyway just wanted to introduce self so....Hi all

Hi Crazy..nut,
I am surprised you got a dx first session. That is most unusual. Even if they are right, it was a hasty fluke, in my humble layperson's opinion. My pdoc took 2 years to dx me with bipolar. That you sleep with the light on to feel safe seems like you may be suffering from some kind of trauma/anxiety related complaint? Trauma can trigger bipolar but it can also be ptsd (or a range of other disorders). I have both and it is sometimes very difficult to determine the two from each other. Even though they are distinctly different illnesses, for me some symptoms do overlap in complex ways and it takes a very astute pdoc to help me identify what is what sometimes. I don't know what the paranoia of food being poisonous is related to - paranoia I suppose. But well done for going beyond the irrational thoughts and nourishing your body. That can take amazing strength and insight. What meds are you on? An antipsychotic should help with the paranoia but sometimes people are helped with antidepressants alone for some reason. Antidepressants are not generally advisable for most types of bipolar - unless there is a comorbid mental disorder and your case does seem complex. What kind of therapy do you get? To be battling mental health for a decade is wearing, and lifestyle and support factors are important in managing long term mental health issues. I hope to see you around more often.

yes by dr. i ment psychiatrist. I take effexor and abilify right now but i see new med person tomorrow and believe they will change that cause the depression isnt really under control. I am now seeing a lcsw for therapy once a week.And a nurse of somesort for meds.(see her tomorrow for 1rst time) that just started this week since i just got insurance. i was going to a state agency that was free and saw therapist once a month and psychiatrist once every 3 months. The therapist i was seeing said she believed there was some ptsd do to father who was alcoholic that yelled alot. Thanks for your responses.