I've been diagnosed with ddepression and seeing an OT and therapist for about a year. I'm also on medication. I dont think my meds are right though. Even before I went on the medication i had crazy mood swings. They're still going on. Bi Polar runs in my family and my out patient team know this. Still I cant help thinking that I need a fresh pair of eyes to look over my case or them to consider the possibility of bi polar. I'm too scared to say anything though because I'm worried that people will think I'm a hypochondriac or just saying it for attention
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Q: I think I have Bi polar but am to scared to bring it to light
Answers (5)
9/30/09 6:05am
Hi withelily777.
I think you are right in considering the possibility of having BP. You probably need a mood stabilizer as well with the anti-depressive. Unfortunately it's true, we do need to get more opinions from other docs when meds aren't the right ones, tell your doc about your mood swings and your family's history, I'm sure it will help.
I hope you'll get better soon, please come back and tell us if you have work it out.
Alex
9/29/09 4:06pm
Well here's my two cents. If you learn all you can about Biplar 1 & 2 most doctors and therapists will tend to work more with you. They are basically using us as a guinea pig to see what drugs work based on our bodies chemistry. I have had 6 different doctors over the past 19 years. I found over time the more I knew about myself (kept log of my side affects and thoughts) and psychiatric drugs the more willing my doctor was to work with me and really talk to me about which drugs we both thought would be best for me. As most of us with Bipolar will tell you, it will take a bit more work to get the correct diagnosis but it's worth the time. I can actually say I feel like "my old" self; happy most of the time and not always lashing out in anger. Hope this helps.
11/17/09 6:25pm
Stop worying bout what people think!!! Thats the important thing. I know you kinda can't help it sometimes but this is important and this is for you!!!! And ya know what if you want to you don't even have to say anything to anyone about it. Just talk to your team and let that be that. I mean and really what diff will it make if you are bi polar or depressed. A mental disorder is a disoerder. You gotta worry bout you! ya know. And its important for them to get your meds right. If you really are bi polar and they have you on depression meds then the depression prob won't go away. I have read recent;y that they think the depression is an after effect of the mania. When all the seratonin runs out and there is nothing left to give you manic happiness all that is left is the depression. So bite the bullet and talk to your doc about it. U aren't a hypochondriac if you really are bi polar!
5/16/10 4:52am
admitting you have a disease that is not your fault is half the battle of getting better and can you go see another dr to get a diagnose - and meds that work for you and not against you - my daughter is bi polar and i think now after several hospitalizations, she finally is starting to admit it - its hard for her because her dad has schrizophenia - and is in a nursing home so of course she does not want to have to admit she also has a mental disorder - told her its a disease of the brain where chemicals are lacking or mixed up - no one on purpose wants this disease -
5/16/10 12:50pm
By all means speak openly with your health-care providers. Your psychiatrist has no way of knowing what is really going on unless you tell him/her. Bipolar can be an extremely difficult illness to live with; And it is life-long. The correct diagnosis and medication is essential for you to feel better and make the most of your life. I am bipolar and a psychologist and I believed for WAY too long that my manic episodes were just the "REAL" me (i.e. superhuman). However, I have almost literally died due to overdoses and am currently on disability due to bipolar illness. One thing is for certain, I am neither ashamed or carry feelings of guilt about my illness; I am proud that I do the best I can and try very hard to help others. Best to you. 
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