Well, at risk of getting a eyeful from you... I'm responding because I'd never in 100+1 years start off a conversation with someone by phone or in person explaining that should I get upset or go off - not to be alarmed or upset with me cause I have Bipolar so, it's okay and just part of my disorder.

Many pieces and parts of the disorder, if it is one, can be managed either through skill techniques, mindfulness (another skill technique), learning to avoid that which triggers the outcome as it is, or heck... medicate the symptom when you know it's happening.  There is something to be said to trying to manage your symptoms rather than just allowing them to be and thus expecting everyone else to excuse.

the pharmacist was correct.. Bipolar or not, it really isn't a excuse or OK to be rude when rudeness isn't fully warranted.  There is a place and time for rudeness but not always and not to everyone, with Bipolar or not.

Odds are... that pharmacy now "knows you" and will treat you as they now "know you" - a difficult customer.  They'll still render service but, perhaps not as quickly or as efficently as normally would... if you thought by telling them would get you off the hook should something occur... it most likely hasn't.

as far as anxiety goes... I have anxiety 24/7.  Now it esclates into sheer panic at times and other times, it leaves me sick to my stomach and agitated.  Something comes at me that I'm not prepared for... a whole chain of events happen and it's not pretty within me and it's not pleasant.  I do tend to become, as a result, not a very socialable nor friendly person and I become quite opinionated and vocal at times.

I know this and I know what happens when something hits me and I become really anxious.  Sometimes I chatter like a hyped up squirrel... every thought that enters comes out.  It depends on what triggered or what I'm going through on a day to day basis.

I have been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety and it runs with the Bipolar.  Bipolar is primary issue with GAD and PTSD running intertwined and innermixed with the Bipolar.  They feed off each other.

If your doc told you that you didn't have GAD and that it wasn't a part of Bipolar... then you have the right for him/her to explain what he/she thinks it is and where it's originating from.

Thankfully though, you have a diazepam prescription and it helps you.

I, however, cannot have diazepam because I attempted some years back on benzos... so, the docs won't give me a prescription of benzos now.  I mean, really... if I seriously wanted to attempt again, I got a whole cabinet full of other psych meds just sitting there looking at me.

What kind of doctor told you that your anxiety wasn't part of the anxiety disorders? A primary doc or psychiatrist? If psychiatrist, did he do an evaluation to determine exactly what disorder you may have? Bipolar does have anxiety as a component in some people but it's primarily a mood disorder. Depression and Hypo/Mania. Mood disregulation.

I agree with Tabby. We can never blame our behavior on our bipolar. It may contribute, but we are in charge of ourselves. We get to choose how we act and what we say. It takes discipline and lots of self-talk to do the right thing.

Just because we get irritable, bitchy, out of sorts, depressed, lots of energy, and can sometimes say too much etc. and if we have been diagnosed with some disorder, then we can take the steps to correct our behavior. The only time we can truly blame whatever it may be, is when we don't know. But even then most of us know how human beings should act.

I would suggest that you see your doc, get a referral if necessary to a psychiatrist and really figure out what is up with you and your anxiety. Anxiety can be helped with meds but therapy is necessary as well. Good luck.

O Baby 8

7/17/11 2:10am

Well, Missy, You haven't see my Bipolar or Anxiety in full swing!  Sounds like yours in a piece of cake and you have it well under control.  Not all are as blessed as you Shellly. 

O Baby 8