Posted by Racer on March 15, 2009, at 10:36:07
In reply to Re: help-what's wrong w/ me? Is it mania? » desolationrower, posted by Larry Hoover on March 15, 2009, at 6:45:43
> I seldom make any comments in cases such as this, as diagnosis by lay people via the internet is not something I wish to promote, but this case seemed to be incongruent with bipolar as I understand it.I understand what leads you to that conclusion, and I agree on two points: lay diagnosis over the internet is far inferior to a face to face diagnosis from a fully trained and qualified professional; and ADHD is well worth considering, as well.
There's a key phrase in the first post, though, which leads me to suspect the psychiatrist was dead on accurate in this case: "fast, incoherent, pressured speech."
Bipolar may not look like classic mania with classic depression. Mixed states are another option, and quite easily overlooked in making a diagnosis.
On the other hand, there's another piece of this which I think is forgotten regularly: we're people, not diagnoses. If you have a reaction of greatly elevated mood after an anti-depressant kicks in -- which has happened to me virtually every time something has worked -- that isn't necessarily a sure sign of bipolar. Every time it's happened, I've been evaluated for bipolar, and every time it's been ruled out. Maybe it's a reaction to the medication, maybe it's a reaction to relief from depression, maybe it's related to my basic personality structure -- or maybe it really is bipolar. It has always passed within a week, and never come back again during treatment, so the doctors and therapists have written it off as another of my quirks. (Similarly, if I miss much sleep, I often go into a hypomanic state -- which has also been declared "not bipolar" every time it's happened. It's considered hypomania related to a general medical condition, ie: insomnia.)
Hi, Lar -- are you coming to SF in May?
poster:Racer
thread:885313
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090313/msgs/885446.html