drinking

 

 

I am going to be 25 soon, and I have never been a big drinker.  BUT, I do like to have a few (3-4 tops) glasses of wine, or have 2 beers once in awhile (meaning maybe once a month).  I have been dealing with depression for years, probably just before my twenties, but worse since 2001.  I was first diagnosed with clinical depression (and still suffer with panic disorder).  However, my pdoc missed something major and so did I.  I was just diagnosed with bipolar about a month ago.  Bipolar is DEFINITELY what I've been dealing with for the past few years.

 

Now, a few years ago, when I did drink more often, I didn't slip into deep bouts of depression.  But for the last several months, maybe about a year, I find whenever I drink no matter how little or how much, a serious bout will surely follow which is what happnd this past week after last wknd.  It's definite.  I know that alcohol is supressant/deprssant, and that as a bipolar patient on meds alcohol isn't something I should have, I was just wondering what anyones' thoughts were on this issue as far as the bouts of depression go.  If anyone has experienced that extreme low right after a few drinks.

 

Thanks, hugs & support all around

I don't really, actually alcohol makes me feel better when I'm depressed (though only temporarily). What led to your dx of bipolar? If you were being treated with a SSRI or a TCA did you have a mania?

Hammilton

I have never been a big drinker although I have had those occasional times when I did drink and I drank too much. I have heard that those of us who suffer from bipolar disorder are highly prone to addictions...alcohol or drugs. I don't drink because it would be very easily for me to become addicted. I can't just take one drink. I am not sure about the depressive episodes that come with drinking for people who are bipolar, but I know that my dad (who is probably definatly biplolar but refuses to get help) when he drank it was either when he was depressed or he would get depressed afterwards. I hope you find some answers!

hi mogli,  I just wanted  to say that your most likely having these mood changes due to the change and adjustment of your medications.  It is very difficult on your system I know, just hang in there and were here for you if ever you need anything.....

It seems strange to me that you could be on an SSRI for very long without an incredible mania. As I think pretty much everyone here knows, sometimes as little as a single dose of one is enough to send us shooting towards the heavens. It sounds more like a cyclothymic disorder, definitely not what I'd call Bipolar, at least from what you've said so far (I'm sure theres more). Bipolar is an incredibly serious illness; we're not talking about ADHD here. Its like the difference between a good day and crack cocaine. On a good day, a non-bipolar goes out to a movie and buys a popcorn. On a mania, I go out and buy a house. The difference is the intensity. Mood swings are only part of the definition of bipolar. I think you're holding information back, because some thigns aren't making sense. Effexor isn't a pure SSRI, at higher doses there is some norepinephrine crossover, which can cause anxiety. That could definitely be why you had panic attacks. I guess I'm confused as to why your doctor decided to make such a life-altering diagnosis on the basis of panic attacks when you were on a medication prone to cause them. Can you help me out? If you don't want to go into everything in here, its cool, my S/N on AIM is smirnoff4capt and my email is [email protected]

Have a good day errbody

hammilton,

my doc and i spent a lot of time diagnosing bipolar AND for the first time in years, this diagnosis has been the ONLY thing that has made sense to me.  my meds are going to strictly be lamictal for now (i'm officiallly off effexor) and the reason for the effexor was b/c i was originally diagnosed with clinicl depression/anxiety.  ppl are misdiagnosed all the time, and even more so when originally diagnosed with clinical depression...i haven't even discussed what my manias are like and by the way its hypnomania cycles/rapid cycling Also, it is very common for bps to suffer from anxiety...believe me after sessions with my doc and pdoc, i understand the diagnosis and what i am going through, and what i face

every single person is different and treatment is different for everyone...anyway hope that helps thanks, take care

thanks for all of your support this far...

 

mogli