The challenging question is "Am I *misdiagnosed* as bipolar, or am I bipolar and *misdiagnosed* as PMDD. How exactly does one define "true" manic symptoms? This is why I think it's *vital* to see an actual psychiatrist, because a general practitioner may not be able to identify the subtle differences--and frankly some psychiatrists simply aren't attentive enough to do so even if they have the knowledge and experience. I absolutely agree that "true" bipolar disorder isn't going to be controlled by an oral contraceptive, but would theorize that if the symptoms go away while on oral contraceptive (or pregnant/breastfeeding) then it may in all actuality *not* be bipolar disorder at all. Especially if the initial treatment only lasted 4-5 weeks (and what was the initial treatment--an SSRI or mood stabilizer/aytpical anti-psychotic?) and then was discontinued with no further symptoms for 4 years--while bipolar is obviously episodic it doesn't seem to fit the standard symptomatic pattern for bipolar disorder.
For me the question is not am I or am I not bipolar, but what type of bipolar am I. I'll have full fledged manic symptoms, but they only last a couple days (again, typically those 2-3 days after my menstrual cycle, though they do happen at other times to a lesser extent) but lean more toward the depressive side of the cycle. Then other times I seem to be in a mixed mood state or rapid cycling on an almost hourly basis. So hard to pinpoint if it's type 1 or type 2, though we have ruled out type 3!
Love the balanced approach of medication & naturalistic treatment options. I could probably manage on naturalistic options alone (have done so for years at a time), but medication makes it so much easier it's definitely worth the side effects/cost/stigma/etc. I am lucky to have a psychiatrist who is a big fan of supplements (Omegas in particular) and diet/exercise, healthy relationships, even spirituality as a means of reducing and controlling symptoms. Had to go through 14 others to find him, and his wait list is nearly 2 years out at the moment.
Am still trying to figure out how to *not* be anonymous! ;-)
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The challenging question is "Am I *misdiagnosed* as bipolar, or am I bipolar and *misdiagnosed* as PMDD. How exactly does one define "true" manic symptoms? This is why I think it's *vital* to see an actual psychiatrist, because a general practitioner may not be able to identify the subtle differences--and frankly some psychiatrists simply aren't attentive enough to do so even if they have the knowledge and experience. I absolutely agree that "true" bipolar disorder isn't going to be controlled by an oral contraceptive, but would theorize that if the symptoms go away while on oral contraceptive (or pregnant/breastfeeding) then it may in all actuality *not* be bipolar disorder at all. Especially if the initial treatment only lasted 4-5 weeks (and what was the initial treatment--an SSRI or mood stabilizer/aytpical anti-psychotic?) and then was discontinued with no further symptoms for 4 years--while bipolar is obviously episodic it doesn't seem to fit the standard symptomatic pattern for bipolar disorder.
For me the question is not am I or am I not bipolar, but what type of bipolar am I. I'll have full fledged manic symptoms, but they only last a couple days (again, typically those 2-3 days after my menstrual cycle, though they do happen at other times to a lesser extent) but lean more toward the depressive side of the cycle. Then other times I seem to be in a mixed mood state or rapid cycling on an almost hourly basis. So hard to pinpoint if it's type 1 or type 2, though we have ruled out type 3!
Love the balanced approach of medication & naturalistic treatment options. I could probably manage on naturalistic options alone (have done so for years at a time), but medication makes it so much easier it's definitely worth the side effects/cost/stigma/etc. I am lucky to have a psychiatrist who is a big fan of supplements (Omegas in particular) and diet/exercise, healthy relationships, even spirituality as a means of reducing and controlling symptoms. Had to go through 14 others to find him, and his wait list is nearly 2 years out at the moment.
Am still trying to figure out how to *not* be anonymous! ;-)
August 31, 2011 - 9:03pmThis Comment
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