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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Frustratedmama on May 31, 2009, at 9:05:31
Hi!
I am trying to figure out if my recent experience was a mixed episode..... feelings of intense rage, anger, internal energy, insomnia, irritability, restlessness, a feeling of being extremely "out of contol" of my own behaviors, and anhedonia. The only thing that seemed to calm it down was verapamil which is supposed to help more with the manic stage of bi-polar and has helped some. Now that the verapamil is working (yay!) I am feeling a bit "down" and sad (but MUCH better than I did before). I am not sure if this is considered a mixed episode and since I have never had any sense of euphoria my current diagnosis is mood disorder, nos vs bipolar. So my questions are:"WAS THIS A MIXED EPISODE?"
"IF YOU HAVE A MIXED EPISODE DOES THAT CHANGE DIAGNOSIS TO BIPOLAR DISORDER?" (FROM WHAT I COULD TELL IT DOES BUT NOT SURE....) "IF YOU HAVE EVER HAD A MIXED EPISODE DID YOU NEED A MOOD STABILIZER PLUS AN ANTIDEPRESSANT? JUST WONDERING BECAUSE THE ANTIDEPRESSANTS MADE THINGS WORSE FOR ME BEFORE - BUT THAT WAS WITHOUT THE VERAPAMIL IN PLACE"I am asking for clarification because my child has an autism spectrum disorder and I am following her moods very closely right now and I know genetics plays a big role in her future. I should add that my pdoc is wonderful (listens to me- will try anything to help me feel better and doesn't let me suffer through debilitating side effects. He also referrred me to alternative doctors, specialists, etc., all in an attempt to find out how to help me)! However, he focuses more on what works to help me feel better than what the "label" is so I am trying to find out on my own...... Any thoughts appreciated!
Thanks! fmPS Please don't tell me to just ask my pdoc- I have done that and although he is fantastic- he doesn't always give me a clear answer on this one..... Maybe to keep my anxiety down, who knows, but I am not going to "rock the boat" since he has been so helpful with everything else. Plus, I know there are a ton of knowledegeable people right here who can answer this one well :) THANKS PBABBLERS! YOU ARE ALL SUCH COMPASSIONATE AND SUPPORTIVE PEOPLE- I WOULDN'T BE HERE WITHOUT YOU!
Posted by Zana on May 31, 2009, at 12:05:34
In reply to Please read if you are bipolar-THANKS, posted by Frustratedmama on May 31, 2009, at 9:05:31
I've been following your posts and wish I could help. I'm not clear on what your current diagnosis is. I'm sure I missed it somewhere. What you describe and it's a great description sure sound like a mixed state to me. Have you had a full blown depressive episode?
Zana
Posted by Phillipa on May 31, 2009, at 12:17:26
In reply to Re: Please read if you are bipolar-THANKS, posted by Zana on May 31, 2009, at 12:05:34
Same here. Very confusing but is starting to sound like some sort of bipolar disorder. Phillipa
Posted by polarbear206 on May 31, 2009, at 14:10:30
In reply to Please read if you are bipolar-THANKS, posted by Frustratedmama on May 31, 2009, at 9:05:31
I encourage you to go to http://www.psycheducation.org for info. It is an excellent site for education on bipolar spectrum.
Posted by garnet71 on May 31, 2009, at 15:31:31
In reply to Please read if you are bipolar-THANKS, posted by Frustratedmama on May 31, 2009, at 9:05:31
Hi FM,
I'm going through a similar situation, thinking I may be BPII/mixed, but I have always been told by PDoc that I have anxiety. I think it is personal to want to know one's specific diagnosis; some people content that it doesn't matter. Like you, I want to know too! Actually, anxiety IS a mood disorder, so that could explain why it is somewhat similar to BPII.
From my perspective, all your symptoms sound like anxiety; but, this statement stood out:
"a feeling of being extremely "out of contol" of my own behaviors"
I'm not sure if that could actually be a symptom of anxiety, although maybe it's just the words you used to describe this feeling you have been experiencing. Being out of control of your own *behaviors* seems different than being out of control of anxiety which normally denotes "thoughts". Not sure if I am overemphasizing "just a word", but just wanted to point that out in case it might help you decide what's going on. Hope you can figure things out soon.
Take care.
Posted by garnet71 on May 31, 2009, at 16:42:59
In reply to Please read if you are bipolar-THANKS, posted by Frustratedmama on May 31, 2009, at 9:05:31
I don't know if this is true-maybe someone could straighten me out on this. Do bipolar symptoms seem to be more emotionally-baded than those of anxiety?
Reason I ask - is that everytime I read one of your posts, it reminds my of my son's father's ex wife. She was always having uncontrollable anger outbursts, yelling, fighting with the kids. You could always hear her voice from a mile away. I've known her for over 20 years now, and her symptoms seemed to be more emotional than someone with anxiety. I couldn't even be around her a lot of times because I couldn't take the "making a big deal of everything" (not criticizing - this was my best friend for many years) and always yelling at the kids. She rarely complained of "anxiety"; she didn't have mental health tratement though, but a few years ago, she was eventually diagnosed bpII and takes appropriate meds and is much better off. And not that one person could be a comparison, but after knowing her for 20 years and seeing how her anger had manifested, etc., it got me thinking that maybe there is a diff. regarding emotions in differentiating between BP vs. anxiety?
I dont know if this is true for others-but for me, it feels like panic and anxiety, outside of PTSD, was never really emotionally based, which actually is also the descriptive nature of anxiety, such as it comes out of 'nowhere', hidden fears, etc.
It's great to hear you have a wonderful doctor.
Posted by floatingbridge on June 1, 2009, at 23:21:37
In reply to Please read if you are bipolar-THANKS, posted by Frustratedmama on May 31, 2009, at 9:05:31
Hey FM,
Did you get my Babble? No need to reply--just checking.
Candace
Posted by Frustratedmama on June 2, 2009, at 20:41:31
In reply to Re: Please read if you are bipolar-THANKS, posted by Zana on May 31, 2009, at 12:05:34
Have you had a full blown depressive episode?
>
YES!!!! Just not a "euphoric" mania or a "need for less sleep"
Posted by Frustratedmama on June 2, 2009, at 20:47:01
In reply to Re: Please read if you are bipolar-THANKS » Frustratedmama, posted by garnet71 on May 31, 2009, at 16:42:59
Garnet,
I would say that my feelings are emotionally based. However, triggers can be next to nothing and it feels as though the emotions comes out of the blue and are so intense that I can't control my reactions.... Does that make sense? Like, someone talking when I am trying to think can make me want to scream, throw things, hit, etc.....My responses never match the problem if that makes sense.....I "over-react to everything" and feel ready to "blow my top" over simple things like the milk cap falling on the floor.....
Posted by Frustratedmama on June 2, 2009, at 20:47:39
In reply to Re: Please read if you are bipolar-THANKS, posted by floatingbridge on June 1, 2009, at 23:21:37
> Hey FM,
>
> Did you get my Babble? No need to reply--just checking.
>
> CandaceJust did- will reply :)
This is the end of the thread.
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