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carmen33
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Hi, wellok, welcome, the others have said the truth, trauma can be the thing that sends you over the edge, and it sounds like you have had more than enough for a life time, never mind in such a short time, I've been "stable" most of my years, in actually though, I had just gotten very good at hiding the pain and suffering I was feeling, I never have had hallucinations or had the extremes of mania that some of the others here have had, I've suffered with depressions, hypo-mania's, where you feel like you have more energy than the body can contain.. panic attacks, rages, etc.. It was only after a suicide attempt (nervous breakdown??) that I came to find out that I was bipolar, antidepressants alone are not for the bipolar, I was on 4 of them at one point, and still depressed enough to try and take my own life.. Get your second opinion, and if you get the same answer as what you did with the first, then take the meds prescribed, and work with your doctor to find the right mix you are going to need.. I'm on a mood stabilizer called Lamictal, and it has made a world of difference in my life. Are you able to forgive your boyfriend for his lies? move on past them to continue your relationship? some lies are totally unforgivable for me. |
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chattycathy
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This shrink you saw does not sound like he did a thorough enough work up on you to diagnose ANYTHING!! With managed care, a lot of psychiatrists don't want to spend the necessary time to make a diagnosis because the insurance company is only paying them a pittance. So, they make an educated guess based on a 20 minute assessment, give you meds and send you on your way. It's treatment by trial and error in my opinion. All they are doing is covering their asses. Read the books, look at the BP websites and try and determine if you see yourself in any of the descriptions. And, try to find a caring psychopharmacologist who will take the necessary time to figure out what it is that you have. If it is merely situational and not a chemical imbalance, the meds won't work anyway. Your symptoms will dissipate when you recover from your stress and life trauma. For the doc to say that you're BP and that's why the antidepressants didn't work is just a guess and very irresponsible - flippant even! The meds may have not worked because you don't have a chemical imbalance. Maybe the symptoms you are having are normal, given the circumstances you've had to live through! Just my two cents. Post edited by: chattycathy, at: 06/28/2008 06:13 |
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MissNikki
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I think the psychiatrist diagnosed you way too soon.. and you should DEFINITELY seek a second opinion. Either way when it comes to the medications, some anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medication may be good for you. I was recently in the hospital and received a second diagnosis of PTSD on top of bipolar. PTSD overlaps a lot of Bipolar symptoms and therapy wise, they treat it very much the same way (coping skills, etc) on top of a medication that works for you. Best of luck and I hope a new doctor will be able to provide you with better answers!
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norma
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Hey, Wello...my son takes an anti-depressant Prozac and an anti-psychotic Zyprexa...he has had hallucinations in the past. The dosage works great for him. But, he was diagnosed at 14 yrs old. Each person is different. Requiring our health care providers to give us the best care means speaking up for ourselves. Just voice your opinion next visit. Write down what you want to say...and don't let the doctor rush you. Since some of your problems stem from behaviorial issues you might want to see if the doctor will recommend cognitive therapy to help you get through these rough times. Cognitive therapy helps us by talking through our problems in conjunction with meds if necessary. You many need a a clinical psychologist or a doctor who specializes in cognitive therapy. "In the time of your life, live-so that in that wondrous time you shall not add to the misery and sorrow of the world, but, shall smile to the infinite variety and mystery of it." William Saroyan
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wellokthen
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hehe, i already have! i've written down what i need him to know since i realize he is not listening. if you are checking your watch during an appointment, your mind is obviously not with the patient. i have never had a hallucination. i'm glad his meds are working for him! it must help you to find a stabilizer, helps the whole family i guess. cognitive therapy, is that like counseling? i'll look it up but i had not thought about that route, just a counselor but if meds are needed, i def need someone who will listen and prescribe. thank you again norma, you are so very kind! |
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wellokthen
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thank you carmen33, i think he just wanted to throw pills at me  your story sounds somewhat more like mine. i grew up in a waspy household, control your emotions, don't cry in public that kind of thing, so you may be right, i may have just hidden things or tried to control what i wasn't even sure was happening if that makes since. and the relationship is idk, i'm more important, my health is right now, so he can just wait until i get myself figureed out. and i don't know if i can forgive him. it's compounding the issue. tytytyt |
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wellokthen
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ty mssnikki, that's one of the problems i'm having too, so many symptoms overlap that i am just confused! and that they can hapen at the same time, arghhhhhh!!!!!!!! ty for your help, this is a hellofa thing to go through, it is so nice to have found this site!
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norma
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You are very welcome, Wello...Cognitive therapy is "talk" therapy. It helps and gives coping skills. Does help the whole family...we hate to have any of us sick. We are close. I had a psychiatrist that talked to his stock broker during my appointment. I never went back to him...I found an new doctor...LOL you take care, honey...and keep posting...we are here for you. "In the time of your life, live-so that in that wondrous time you shall not add to the misery and sorrow of the world, but, shall smile to the infinite variety and mystery of it." William Saroyan
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wellokthen
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thank you chatty! i have to go back to him next week and i have already written up MY evaluation of him and as to why i will not be going back! thank you so much for your comments. |
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WARHORSE
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Hi, Wello! You're getting lots of good advice here (these folks are the best!). You said, "i also read that people who are bipolar are either one or the other all the time and that is not my situation. i have been very even for a long time." That's false that they are either manic or depressed all the time. Many times they do even out in between. And as the others have said, an episode can definitely be triggered by stress, which you've had more than enuf of. If you do turn out to be BP, please try to read the book the first pdoc gave you. "An Unquiet Mind" is one of the best I've read about BP. Let us know what happens after your next appt. "Is this a blessing? Or is it a curse?
Does it get any better? Can it get any worse?
Will it go on forever? Is it over tonight?
Does it come with the darkness? Does it bring out the light?
Is it richer than diamonds? Or just a little cheaper than spit?"--Jim Steinham
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