Could it be Bipolar?

Hi,

I have never posted in this forum but I have been on healing well (anxiety forum) for a bit. I have a diagnosis of panic disorder and my doctor has suggested that I may have either major depression or bipolar. My question is what's the difference?
From my own research I think my symptoms are consistent with bipolar but I just don't know. My moods tend to go from happy or normal to either panic/majority or depressed, sometimes all of the above. I feel like I'm driving myself crazy trying it make sense of it all. Can anyone suggest a site or book (any resource) to learn more about bipolar? I know I need to see my doctor about this and I have an appt soon but I just want to kind of get the f acts and prepare myself ahead of time. Thanks!

I can't add to UA's post. Just want to welcome you and wish you well.

Maybe I can... Dx is usually only helpful in terms of treatment (although it can be an "aha" moment to "what has been wrong all these years" for us. I used to have mild hypermania when I was dx'd and that felt "normal" for me. I was only concerned about the depression. It took time for me to be able to identify hypermania for myself and manage it at an earlier stage. HOWEVER, changeable moods aren't always bipolar. Grief and trauma bring enormous swings in mood. A good book to manage the moods swings what ever their origins is The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook for Bipolar Disorder. The skills relate to managing emotions of any kind. It was good to meet you in chat the other day.

Hello WAID,

Welcome to HealingWell. You've found a safe, secure, and reliable support community for people battling a range of health issues. We have many  fellow members here who will be glad to lend an ear, offer information, and provide support for when you need it.

UA advised you well and I like the links she posted for you.

Major depression is one aspect of bipolar disorder but bipolar disorder also includes mania, which is a high mood that is not… More necessarily a 'happy' mood but in its extreme can cause psychosis. Sometimes people with bipolar disorder are diagnosed with major depression because that is when they seek help and so the mania aspect of their illness is not diagnosed because the practitioner may not have asked the questions about mania. This is becoming less so as doctors are getting more aware of the risks of prescribing anti-depressants to people with bipolar disorder who may become manic as a result.

A person absolutely can’t have bipolar disorder unless they have had a manic episode.  There are no exceptions.  I’ve heard people say their doctor thinks they might have bipolar. I may ask them,  “What is your mania like?” If the person says, “What’s mania?” there is a problem and I tell them to get online and take a mania test and then see a person with psychiatric diagnosis experience.

 

I wish you well and feel free to post here, the A7 P forum or the Depression Forum.

Kindly,

Kitt