Posted by Krysti on November 30, 2002, at 13:45:05
In reply to Re: Is there ever a normal after BP - fluffy » Krysti, posted by Mr Cushing on November 29, 2002, at 22:25:36
Hey Mike,
The difference between Bipolar I and Bipolar II is people with Bipolar I have had at least one manic episode. People with Bipolar II have only had hypomania. Rapid cycling can be a part of either. (From what I've read.)
The difference between hypomania and mania is you are still able to function when you are hypomanic. Looking back on it, I have been hypomanic at work a lot of times. When I became manic though, there is no way I would have been able to function at work. My thoughts were going so fast, I couldn't stay focused on any one thing. I was all over the place, I was just running around doing whatever came to my mind. I would start doing one thing, then stop in the middle of it and do something else. I had ALL the signs of mania and also became delusional, which is definitely a sure sign.
I just read somewhere though that hearing voices can be a part of bipolar so I shouldn't have said it sounded like schizophrenia. I always think of hearing voices as schizophrenia. There can be a lot of similarities between a lot of disorders and even the doctors have a hard time diagnosing people. I am sure that hearing voices though is not normal. I hope he is able to get help.
As far as quitting SSRI's and what that can do to you, you definitely know better than I. To my knowledge, I haven't had any reaction from it. When I went on the Depakote, I quit taking the Paxil cold turkey. The Paxil was what had made me so manic, so I had to quit taking it. Who knows though if it had any effect on me or not. I don't think so though.
I guess I base my opinions on what I've gone through, but everyone's experiences are different. Whether it's a withdrawal from the Zoloft or not though, it sounds like rapid cycling, which can happen from SSRI's and probably withdrawal from.
I hope no one takes what I say as verbatim. I am not a doctor and have no training and don't mean to imply I know for sure what's going on. I just try to share what I've read about it.
As far as your friend being lucky to have found the right med for him on the first time, yes he is : ) You'll get there though. I think we're the lucky ones for having this rather than psychotic episodes (which I guess I had when I became delusional - but, at least it was a good delusion ) : ) But, we've gotten to experience the highs that come along with being bipolar. I think it's ironic that I have to take drugs in order to not feel like I'm on drugs! Being hypomanic is a great feeling, isn't it??? Too bad that everything has to be balanced and along with the periods of hypomania have to come the periods of depression. I think I'd rather have this though than thinking the TV was talking to me and talking back to it. That would scare the heck out of me! Actually, I still think the worse thing out of all this was the anxiety. Oh, and the crying spells! How embarrassing, to be a so-called professional and sitting at work and crying! I still would rather have people see me doing that though than talking to a TV : )
Krysti
poster:Krysti
thread:127130
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021127/msgs/130036.html