AnnieS asked this question on 5/2/2000:
Hi, I'm a 36 year old female with a history of drug and alcohol abuse(12-25), several dysfunctional relationships, Sexual abuse(11), rape(21). I have been clean and sober for the past 11 years, gone through extensive psychotherapy(of which I found to be very benificial), I was relationship-less for 5 years and became quite sucessful and independent throughout that time. My question is this: up until very recently I believed, (and have been diagnosed with), Major Depression. I remember feeling depressed as far back as I can remember. My mother describes my moods like this, "you're up & down, up & down." My best friend of 34 years has always sworn I was Bipolar, and everyone else I know is always saying, "you're so moody." Until very recently, I wouldn't even entertain the idea of being Bipolar, (nor would the therapists), because of what I, and they, thought to be, an absence of manic episodes. I hang on to my "happy times" for dear life. They don't last long, and I'm never sure why they're there. But until recently, I never questioned the lack of reason, I just grabbed on to these very brief periods and enjoyed them while I had them. However, recently I have become more aware of these times because I am unable to sleep for very long during these times, I fall asleep for a few hours, awake, and am unable to get back to sleep. That's if I'm even able to get to sleep much before dawn. I've also noticed that I can be feeling happy one moment and have it turn into extreme irritability the next. Irritability to the point of being enraged. I'm over active, easily distracted, almost foggy or hazey at times. Recently I read about Biploar II. Do you think there's a possibility that I have this type of Bipolar? I feel like I'm on a mood roller coaster much of the time, and swing in and out of these moods so rapidly sometimes that I have difficulty distinguishing how I truly feel about most everything. It leaves me feeling very indecisive and confused. There doesn't seem to be any apparent reason for these shifts in mood. Up until now I've refused medication for the depression for fear of becoming active in my addictions again, but am returning to therapy to explore the possibility of meds, as the depression has become much more severe over the past two years, and I'm not sure I can handle it without the meds any longer. I intend to discuss the possibility of Bipolar with my new psychologist, but would like as many opinions, and as much input as I can get before I go. Anything you can offer would be greatly appreciated, and to all of you that have already answered me; Thank You so much!!!! Annie S.
Jason4U22 gave this response on 5/10/2000:
First of all I will give you my diagnoises. I'm bi-polar/ majour depression.
Bi-Polar Symtoms
1)You have your highs, and lows. A couple of days you feel as if you can conquor the world, you in a very very HIGH, energy, feeling good, and I mean GOOD, mood. Then you crash, and what I mean by crashing you just all the sudden feel down, tired, depressed, and no energy what so ever.
2) You stay up all night for 2 days straight, and don't feel sleepy or tired, just full of energy. Then of course you crash.
3) You go from job to job. You get bored very easily with the same thing over and over.
4) you get the urge to go out and spend money, and I mean money. as in your bill money.
5) You do a lot of differant things in one day that would take a regular person to do in 2. Then you crash.
6) you talk A lot, and don't give anyone a chance to say anything.
7) Sometimes you get ilratable. ______________________________________________Depression:
1) you stay secluded
2) you don't socailize
3) you don't answer the phone
4) you just lay there in the bed, praying that you would die.
5) you may miss some baths
6) you think that your a failure.
7) you think your useless, and nobody loves you.
8) You hate yourself, and question God, as why you were ever born in the first place.
9) You drink alcohol. (not all, but some)
10) you feel suicidal.
If you ever get to the point of feeling suicidal you need to go to the E.R ASAP. I hope that I have helped you, and congrad. on your recovery.
I'm on antidepressants, which isn't a drug that gets you high. It makes your brain release a chemical called seratone, which makes you more happy.
The meds. I take is Zolof 200mg in the AM. and Trazadone 150mg at night. These meds. seem to help me alot. If I didn't have these meds. I would be back from square one. I don't think that you can get addicted to these drugs, but you cant just suddenly stop them. You have to just slack off of them, becuase they make the seratone increase in your brain, and if you suddenly stop, the saratone, stops, and that will make you fall into a deeper depression.
Also to treat Bi-Polar, they use Depacote, and Lithium, which is a mood stablizer. YOu have to have levels drawn on you to check, and make sure your levels aren't too high. It also takes a while to get use to the meds. because your not having these mood swings anymore. There making you feel normal, and your not use to that. I would say it takes a good month to get use to them.
I wish you luck, and again congrads. on your recovery. you wouldn't be relapsing if you were to get on these meds. Please update me, and don't forget to rate me.
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AnnieS rated this answer a 5.