Possibly bipolar...need some advice
Posted , 4 users are following.
I've dealt with severe anxiety and depression since I was 7, but now (almost 2 yrs later) I'm dealing with a lot of "mental struggles" I guess one could say. It's almost like I can't control myself anymore. Lots of rapid mood cycling. I'm no longer just depressed or anxious, but filled with so many other emotions too...sometimes all at once, sometimes hours/days apart. Main thing I've noticed is how short my temper has gotten. Doesn't take much for me to go from 0 to 60 and once I'm there, I can't stop all of my anger. It's almost as if I'm not in control of what I say and/or do in those moments of rage. And sometimes it can be over the most insignificant, unimportant things. I just feel like I'm losing control lately.
Went to see my doctor last week who prescribed me seroquel, in addition to the anti depressant that I have been on and off of (had my moments of "I'm all better!" And would decide I no longer needed it) since I was 7. After 3 days on the seroquel, I am done with it. Long story short, it made me feel like a zombie. I did my own research on it and was a bit disheartened that this is what my doctor of 15+ years chose to give me, considering he has also helped treat my dad and his bipolar for the past 20+ years. I gave the doctors office a call today and had to leave a message with a receptionist, whom I basically told that the med was no good and I was cancelling my follow up appt in a month because I felt I may need to switch my physician.
I began to sob after I hung up the phone and just felt even more hopeless. I know how long it took for my dad to find the proper medication combo for his bipolar, and considering this is what my doctor is saying I am beginning to display symptoms of, I would just think he would have made more of an effort than giving me something that is essentially only good if you're an insomniac, which I am not.
I promise there is a question here...I just need some guidance for anyone else that has maybe gone through similar feelings and/or issues? What has worked for you for meds.? What hasn't helped? I'm just feeling scared and like I'm never going to be able to control my mood swings or feel "normal".
0 likes, 3 replies
lh0892
Posted
borderriever lh0892
Posted
Sorry you are having such a problem with the sorting of this condition.
In my case I suffer a Chronic medical condition and it took them two years to accept my disability and associated Mental Health problems, then I had a long wait to get my right medications and treatment pathway. You seem to be at the beginning of a long journey where an inclusive treatment plan may be needed and medications will need to be tried to get the one that works well. The problem is you will need to give each time to work and this takes time and we all need to be patient and understanding because if we are not the drugs that do work well may be thrown in the bin without giving them a chance, The list of medications is not infinate and if you jump at the wrong time that you seem to have done you may be making problems for yourself in the future.
Your GP prescribed and gave a medication and will see you in four weeks, it will take around four weeks for the drug to work. Your GP had given you a review in four weeks time, that is normal to make sure the drug is working, you have not given this medication a chance
I would advise you get back onto your surgery and put things right with that GP and take your drugs. Hopefully He will take you back on His list.
What you can do is look on the NHS CHOICES site list of GPs in that practice who specialises in Mental Health, you can then eventually attend that same surgery.
This GP seems to know you, that is a very important thing you need to consider, give your medications a chance to work, they would have possibly increased your dose at the four week review
BOB
sonjaward lh0892
Posted
I've had bipolar for 7 years now, but I had teachers pulling me out of class asking if something was wrong with me mentally because of how I went from 0-100 with my temper. Plus my moods were erratic and I would have serious depressive episodes. It took a particularly nasty depressive episode at age 17 that landed me in a psych ward, I was diagnosed as Bipolar w/ psychotic features there. That was my official diagnosis until a few months ago and now it's Bipolar type 1. It seems like you could possibly be showing symptoms but you need to find a doctor you feel comfortable opening up to about everything to. They're going to ask some tough questions but you have to be honest and upfront about what you're experiencing to get the correct diagnosis. I'm currently in a depressive episode that is getting severe and will probably be hospitalized again here soon. It took me forever to find the correct medicines but even sometimes you can still cycle on medications, which is what is happening with me. Good luck on your journey!