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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Roslynn on March 6, 2010, at 12:26:39
It's just occurred to me after all this time that I might be having episodes of dysphoric hypomania when I experience feelings of dread, head churning, etc...rather than panic attacks.
Dumb question, but does anyone know how to tell the difference? I rarely have the hyperventilation, rapid heartbeat etc. that one would associate with panic attacks. It's more like a sense of doom, feels like there is a band around my head, or the sensation that my head is going to fly upward away from my body.
Thank you for any insight.Roslynn
Posted by Phillipa on March 6, 2010, at 12:56:51
In reply to panic attacks or dysphoric hypomania?, posted by Roslynn on March 6, 2010, at 12:26:39
I feel signs of anxiety. But how does anxiety differ in bipolar illness? Phillipa
Posted by floatingbridge on March 7, 2010, at 0:40:28
In reply to panic attacks or dysphoric hypomania?, posted by Roslynn on March 6, 2010, at 12:26:39
I think panic or anxiety attacks can manifest differently. Your symptoms sound to me, at first take, like extreme anxiety. Whether there is a bipolar component, I'm not qualified to venture a guess. Can you tease out any 'triggers' that start what sounds like a whirlwind?
Just for your information, my anxiety/panic response is to freeze--breath slows down, my exterior appears even placid,
while inside I am in agony and my thoughts are tsunami-like.It was explained that anxiety creates fight or flight, and a form of flight is
freezing.Hope this helps a smidge. I was dx'd as BP Nos for years. I find that my new diagnosis is more helpful--and mood stabilizers never took that mood swing/anxiety response away, anyways.
Good luck to you!
Posted by Roslynn on March 7, 2010, at 16:04:16
In reply to Re: panic attacks or dysphoric hypomania? » Roslynn, posted by floatingbridge on March 7, 2010, at 0:40:28
Hi Floatingbridge,
Thank you for your reply. Your explanation does make sense, that people can freeze on the outside and be agitated on the inside. That's exactly what happens to me.
May I ask what your diagnosis is? (If too personal, sorry, never mind!)
They have always gone between atypical depression and bipolar II for me.
Thanks,
Roslynn> I think panic or anxiety attacks can manifest differently. Your symptoms sound to me, at first take, like extreme anxiety. Whether there is a bipolar component, I'm not qualified to venture a guess. Can you tease out any 'triggers' that start what sounds like a whirlwind?
>
> Just for your information, my anxiety/panic response is to freeze--breath slows down, my exterior appears even placid,
> while inside I am in agony and my thoughts are tsunami-like.
>
> It was explained that anxiety creates fight or flight, and a form of flight is
> freezing.
>
> Hope this helps a smidge. I was dx'd as BP Nos for years. I find that my new diagnosis is more helpful--and mood stabilizers never took that mood swing/anxiety response away, anyways.
>
> Good luck to you!
Posted by floatingbridge on March 7, 2010, at 17:11:30
In reply to Re: panic attacks or dysphoric hypomania?, posted by Roslynn on March 7, 2010, at 16:04:16
Hi Roslynn,
Sure, no problem. I just figure most here had already heard me go on about it--hate to be a bore:)
Last summer I was 'offically' dx'd with chronic ptsd (childhood/young adult issues) comorbid with, of course, major depression.
Answered many questions for me--anxiety issues, triggering situations, why stabilizers didn't work. I suppose my landscape resembles GAD quite a bit.
Never was dx'd as BP II. NOS and cyclothymia, and that for ten plus years.
I did some reading on my own, came to the conclusion that c-ptsd fit best, and when presented with printouts, my pdoc, after observing me for over a year concurred. It began, I think, with my asking him why he no longer had me on any mood stabilizers....
A long answer:)
I'm sorry you are having such discomfort!
Posted by Roslynn on March 7, 2010, at 17:23:04
In reply to Re: panic attacks or dysphoric hypomania?re » Roslynn, posted by floatingbridge on March 7, 2010, at 17:11:30
Thank you, Floatingbridge, for your helpful response.
How have you been doing? What meds do you take?
> Hi Roslynn,
>
> Sure, no problem. I just figure most here had already heard me go on about it--hate to be a bore:)
>
> Last summer I was 'offically' dx'd with chronic ptsd (childhood/young adult issues) comorbid with, of course, major depression.
>
> Answered many questions for me--anxiety issues, triggering situations, why stabilizers didn't work. I suppose my landscape resembles GAD quite a bit.
>
> Never was dx'd as BP II. NOS and cyclothymia, and that for ten plus years.
>
> I did some reading on my own, came to the conclusion that c-ptsd fit best, and when presented with printouts, my pdoc, after observing me for over a year concurred. It began, I think, with my asking him why he no longer had me on any mood stabilizers....
>
> A long answer:)
>
> I'm sorry you are having such discomfort!
>
>
This is the end of the thread.
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