curious if any of you folks suffer from this illness? i was dignosed when i was 21 i didnt take that seriously and moved on. the past year though now has been hell, suicide thoughts, cutting , crying alot for no reason,wanting lots of sex, spending money i dont have, feeling homicidial,angrey... the whole package. so i went to a different doctor this time 3 years later(im 24 now) and i was told again im manic.... should i buy into this? or maybe get a third opionion? i ask this because some of my friends and family agree i have this... others disagree completly... but none of them are doctors.... of course doctors like to shove pills on us.... which brings me to the next thing.. he wanted me to take litium i said no, i've heard too much crap about it... so he perscribed me this stuff called olizapin... i havent filled the script yet because i'm really afrid of it... i dont want to feel like a vegitable! anyways know of natural remidies, or medication that isnt so heavy?
I have an exboyfriend that is bipolar. Isnt that a more extreme form of manic depression? It is a very serious thing and he never really got help, he self medicated, which only made him worse. Anyway, there is no harm in getting a third opinion.....or even a 4th opinion. Have you done any research on manic depression? Perhaps that could help you in figuring out if you fit the criteria. As far as the medication....you could look that up online also and maybe find out all the side effects and hear testemonials from people who have been on it. That could help you in figuring out if you want to take that as well. Medications work differently for different people, so there is probably no harm in trying it and seeing how it makes you feel. If you dont like it, just stop taking it and maybe ask your doctor for something different. I wouldnt know any natural remedies....but I can tell you that getting daily excercise helps alot in cases of depression....but with manic depression, I dunno, it might be different. But it sure couldnt hurt. I wish I had something to say that could really help you.....but in any case, I wish you the best.
Hmm...where should I start? I've been diagnosed with clinical depression & I'm borderline manic. I know what you're going through; I've been there. I was self-medicating at the time I was diagnosed (I was 18)- cutting, alcohol, drugs, sex, overspending. I, too, was crying constantly for no apparent reason, slept constantly, couldn't get out of bed, felt both suicidal & homocidal. I was pretty hesitant about going on meds, but with the way I felt, I figured it couldn't make me feel any shittier than I already felt. I started my meds & through the years I've changed them a few times. To be completely honest with you, I've always felt like they stifle my creativity & while they stabilize me, it sometimes feel like I'm a little too level...to the point where its hard for me to cry in situations I feel I should be crying. But when I'm between meds or if I miss a day or two, I feel so shitty that I appreciate the difference they've made & I'll never go off meds. It really depends on your views concerning meds. My only suggestion is that you start off with a low dosage of something "light" & go from there. Keep in mind that it often takes about two weeks for them to kick in & you won't feel an instantaneous change; its more like a looking-back thing. When I compare what I'm like now to how I was then, there is a significant & palpable difference, that even my family & friends comment on regularly. At first, you might have to try a few different drugs, but once you find what works for you, it'll make all the difference! Good luck & stay positive! If you need to talk about it, just message me! I'm very open about my depression & I've gone through a lot. mad love, cortnee
I am so glad someone else posted this! I posted something in the mental illness personal forum but didn't get much feedback and I have been literally dying inside for people to talk to about this. I just got officially diagnosed, by someone who I feel actually knows what he is doing, this past Thursday; but I have known for years this is what is wrong with me, I was just afraid to do something about it. I had been misdiagnosed before by two primary care physicians who both told me that I was simply depressed, then handed me some pills. The meds, I'm not exaggerating made me feel like I had bugs in my head. They made it so much worse for me. I couldn't function on them. I was on meds for 1 year when I said enough is enough. Then I went off and ignored the whole situation. Which worked out fine until last weekend. I had a hell of a manic episode complete with dishes flying through the back window and packing up and leaving my boyfriend for NO DAMN REASON! I knew it was coming though... things had been too normal for so long, then the depression for a while, then too normal, so I was almost anticipating it, I just couldn't prevent it. Anyway, that is when I decided before I sabatage my whole life and completely ruin the best relationship with another human being that I have ever had, I better get a handle on myself. So I found a psychologist near me. He can't perscribe meds because I don't want to be on them quite yet. I think that there is something that I can accomplish just with the talk therapy and being aware of myself. If I want to, he can refer me to the other doctor there who is a psychiatrist and she can perscribe me meds, but he said that he likes to try it without the meds first because they are not always necessary, and he would let me know if he thinks that this is something more serious than we can handle. And he isn't like other shrinks either. First of all he doesn't treat me like there is something wrong with me. It actually feels like I'm just going to visit a friend on Thursdays. A friend who only wants to hear about me and my problems! So, the only advice I would give you is get as many opinions as you want, and do some of your own research so you don't get a doctor telling you anything strange or you don't feel is right. And be upfront with the doc and say that you don't want to go the route of taking meds right away. Being as you are the patient they should respect that and any doctor that doesn't I'd be leary of. There is no cut and dry answer because everyone is different. Also, you might want to read up on different drugs that they perscribe. For some reason many doctors who aren't really trained in Bi-Polar Disorder (ie, PCP's) are giving out anti depressants, which can actually make being manic depressive worse. And if you ever just want to talk just PM me, I'm not sure how much help I can be, but I do understand what you are going through and sometimes it just helps to let it all out.
well, crystal, i was diagnosed as this when i was 17.... because my cousin was diagnosed and my aunt gave my mom info. and my MOM decided that is what i was and went to a psychiatrist WITH me and pretty much MADE the shrink say that's what i was..... i do not think that i have it however there is a possibility. usually i just feel depressed, not manic.... hmmm....interesting topic, indeed.
Don't go on a doctor's opinion unless they are a registered clinical psychologist (not psychiatrist... psychologist). I suspect your doctor doesn't know what s/he is talking about or s/he wouldn't have left you with a label but no constructive way forward. Diagnosis is not there just to put people in boxes but as a first step to empowering them to change their life for the better. Get him/her to refer you to somebody with appropriate experience and qualifications who can answer your questions in full.
i have been clinically depressed from when i was 12 years old, it has developed into manic depression, severe self hatred and loathing, and to top off i have numerous personality disorders. i am going to see my psychotherapist this afternoon actually. i have seen various professionals and none of them know what to do with me. i don't know what to do with me. nevermind, peace and love zenry
well i have a appointment with a theripist next thursday... this will be the third opioion im getting since i've been dignosied two times by general doctors that im manic depressant. so this should be interesting. i havent stared my meds yet the name is olzapine(zyprexa)... ehhhh thanks for giving me your input and sharing your experinces
Crystal, I'm on Zyprexa. Have been for 2 weeks now. I'm not manic depressive, but I suffer from severe anxiety and borderline OCD. Try it. Already I feel more stable in my moods (I was very depressed before, I wouldn't even leave my house), and am slowly starting to see a reduction in my anxiety and obsessive thinking. I'm on it in addition to Prozac. I know you may be reluctant to try medicine-I know I was-but it can really be a lifesaver. It's relatively low in side effects too, the only side effect I have is that it makes it easy for me to sleep 9-10 hours at a time. Meds aren't always necessary, but in many cases, they can make a big difference. PM me if you have any questions.
Just yesterday i was reading about manic depression at this one website because i had heard something about it and decided to read up on it.. after reading all of this stuff on the website i think i might be manic depressive. my moods change from being really like happy and content with my life and hopeful one day to the next day feeling like i have no purpose to living and that i have no good qualities or anything. i also have these like phases that sometimes last up to a month or longer where i become so insecure with myself and my body that i dont eat or what i do eat i throw up, its like i have a part time eating disorder. but then i start to feel better and i start eating again. its really weird but im not sure if im really manic depressive or bipolar i havent been diagnosed but i dont like to confide in people these things you know? like in person i hate talking to people but you guys dont know me anyways
