Posted by floatingbridge on May 22, 2009, at 17:36:33
In reply to Re: How do you know if you are bi-polar?, posted by Phillipa on May 21, 2009, at 21:51:23
> Well 63 here so older. Panic attacks age 24 benzos functioned well til menopause school raising kids, own business, then thyroid went and everything went downhill. Not agoraphobia but phone phobia, fears of going upstairs (yes I'm aware all the fears are ridiculous but still there). Now the benzos are doing nothing, and stay on tiniest dose of luvox for many years. Sleep late at night til late in am. So how do you distinguish fear anxiety from bipolar? Phillipa
Hi Phillipa,
That's a good question for me since anxiety, SP and depression are now major issues for me. I cannot address the question nearly as well as some here, and anyone who suffers from anxiety knows that the effects on mind and body are profound and that it exacerbates almost every condition.
I've had strong mood and drive changes since late adolesnce unrelated to anxiety. Now I have the anxiety, et al on top of it. Also, family members have bipolar, though my case is milder than most in family. There can also be a quality or 'pressure' to the changes that I can't quite describe....
Benzo burnout is my latest boogie man. Imperfect as it is, klonopin helps keep me functioning. Sounds like, given your full life, you've managed well.
Best,
Candace
poster:floatingbridge
thread:897028
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090515/msgs/897145.html