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I need to know more, please help...

Posted , 4 users are following.

KatyLost
KatyLost

I hope you don't mind but I wondered if you could tell me a little more about the symptoms of bipolar?

I have been suffering with depression for about two years now. I had a few bad patches as a teenager aswel. I never saught help until recently when I developed severe anxiety and I am now at the beginning of the process of getting diagnosed properly. I have been prescribed Prozac and am awaiting a referral to a mental health expert.

My brother-in-law (who is a behavioural counsellor) is the one who told me to see my GP and discuss the possibility of seeing a psychiatrist. What he did not tell me but I overheard him saying is that he is 'almost positive' I have bipolar disorder.

After looking into it online, I think he may be right. I am aware of the dangers of self-diagnosing and don't want to convince myself of anything. However, I also know how tricky it can be to get a right diagnosis and thanks to funding cuts for mental health where I live I think it will be a long time before I get the professional help I need. I would really like to know what I'm facing.

My life has been up and down like a yo-yo since I left school (I'm 26 now) - I'm reasonably intelligent, have had some amazing jobs and should be successful and happy by now, but everytime things start going right I collapse again. it would be nice to know why. Please help.

Thank you xx

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • jmcg2014
    jmcg2014 KatyLost

    Posted

    The danger with looking fr symptoms for something we suspect we have,is that without realising it we start drawing parallels and coming to conclusions that may not be true. We all do it,its just human nature. It can also make an accurate diagnosis much more difficult. Its a good idea to see a doc and get a referral ,they will be able to diagnose you much easier if they dont have to work through any preconceptions you may have
    • KatyLost
      KatyLost jmcg2014

      Posted

      Thank you, I'll bear that in mind.

      Unfortunately I think I've already got preconceived ideas about what's wrong with me, I'm hoping more for some insight about what to expect more than clarification though - I realise this is not something us mere mortals can diagnose ourselves. I know there is a long road ahead; best case scenario is the anti-depressants work and I'm fine in a few months. That's what I'm aiming for. I don't need something complicated to justify why things are going wrong... but I do want to be prepared for the eventuality that bipolar is my diagnosis as I believe it is a very strong possibility. I'm not good with being surprised - so need to know as much about each possibility as possible. Thanks though xx

  • lynne05476
    lynne05476 KatyLost

    Posted

    Hi Katy, I am now nearly a year into a Bi-Polar 2 diagnosis having had a lifetime of highs and lows treated soely with anti-depressants which i knew worked for a limited amount of time.I have managed to work,stay married and have a daughter now 19.The road to psychiatric referral was long,arduous and certainly harrowing but now i am on the right meds for me i am settling into a calmer,less anxious different life.Whilst i agree that it is not great to self diagnose if you believe that you may have Bi-polar you know yourself better than anyone so fight for urgent referral.My life and that of my family has been better since my diagnosis and treatment,it was rubbish before.Good Luck 
  • Highsandlows
    Highsandlows KatyLost

    Posted

    I agree with a few comments above, it is dangerous to self diagnos but I also feel that looking through official bipolar websites and reading genuine articles about people's experiences with bipolar can help.

    i finally got an nhs appointment with a phychiatrist and on the day I was on a manic one. I explained all the symptoms that I could remember, laughing and jokin, great eye contact etc and to him must have seemed fine. My memory is shocking and I overlooked many things and he diagnosed me with generalised anxiety disorder and gave me a psck of citalopram. 

    A few few years later when all symptoms had worsened I took the same route after researching. Reading things on the web that I could have written about myself.. I took notes as to what honestly applied to me and gave examples of things I had or hadn't done, I printed off a monthly mood chart and filled it in and took it in.

    with this new information and not relying on my poor memory but facts he could read then question............ Instant diagnosis of bipolar 11

    never embellish the truth, exaggerate it just stick to what applies to you. There are various types of bipolar and you want the correct meds for YOU.

    hope this helps, it did me 

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