Posted 2/10/2007 4:30 AM (GMT 0)
I posted this to an online doctor, and was wondering if anyone here had any thoughts or knowledge about this kind of thing?
I am currently 22 years old and have been suffering with panic disorder/agoraphobia for just over 2 full years now. My biggest fear has pretty much been of being bipolar. I saw my GP about a year ago and he mentioned something about me showing bipolar tendencies (I was having a panic attack at the time, and my partner said I misunderstood). Anyhow, naturally I saw my psychiatrist following that visit and asked him about the possibility of me being bipolar, he asked a few questions and decided I wasn't showing any symptoms whatsoever and told me not to worry about it. I had a nurse tell me the same thing. I realize that people with panic disorder have an awful, awful habit of obsessing about physical or mental illnesses, yet I still can't seem to trust that there is nothing else wrong with me aside from my much debilitating panic disorder. I seem to worry about it most when I cannot sleep. I have been experiencing some extremely restless nights filled with anxiety, hyper arousal/ hyper vigilance, and some irritability. I seem to get shaken up by the noises around me and find myself being so aware of external stimuli that it makes me feel like I am close to paranoid. Anyhow, after about 4 hours of these symptoms in bed, I sometimes take an ativan and it helps me out for the most part. I’m never completely rested after such nights, and my energy level doesn’t seem to be any different than the day before. I guess I was just wondering if not being able to sleep is a clear cut sign of mania? Especially if followed by some irritability and major anxiety? If not, could I be experiencing nocturnal panic/anxiety that can also cause some of these other symptoms? I cannot say for certain that I have ever yet been manic, but there was one month in particular that I have been worried about. Things weren't going too well in my relationship, and so I turned for comfort from someone else. My sleeping patterns were extremely volatile for about a week or so there, as I was completely consumed by this new person in my life and by the chance at a happier life. Soon afterwards, I found myself getting agitated with the entire situation between my partner and this other man I was speaking to online/ on the phone. Let me also add that I thought I was in love and felt a bit more sexual at times as well. I felt pretty high in my head (maybe from exhaustion), but for the most part just confused, sad and vulnerable. I had moments of impulsiveness where I was about to leave my relationship of 4 years and move to be with this other man. It never came to that, but sometimes I wonder if situation like this could be a sign of mania/mixed episode? I hurt my partner emotionally during that time, and although he said I wasn't acting quite like myself- he stands firmly on the fact that I was, by no means, bipolar. To be completely honest, I don't even remember much of the details from that month and I think that scares me a little too. Apparently I was complaining of exhaustion the entire time that I was receiving inadequate sleep. I was just wondering if you think this is me over analyzing the entire situation because of my fear of bipolar disorder, or if you think I may be, in fact, suffering from the disorder? I'm sorry for having written so much but between my worries about that month a year ago and my current problems with sleeping- I am feeling extremely panicked about my welfare. Please let me know what you think. Thank you so very kindly.