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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Mr. Scott on October 18, 2001, at 0:15:56
What are the tell tale signs that any of you Bipolar type twos used to figure out you were bipolar type two? I have a growing suspicion and a so called expert recently diagnosed me as such. For some reason I am having a hard time buying it, yet in some ways it makes a lot of sense.I haven't responded long term to any AD's. I have a history of substance abuse and acting out behavior in my youth. I tend to oversleep rather than under sleep. I can get cranked off 37.5mg of effexor and a cup of coffee. I have had ALL of the anxiety disorders at one time or another. Previous Dx of ADD. But I've never had any clear MANIA, and it's difficult to tell if hypomania is just feeling really good for few hours/days. I need my sleep to function at all and never have gone without it. I am nothing like a true bipolar is described... I am erratic in my moods however..
Any response appreciated
Posted by Mitch on October 18, 2001, at 1:50:48
In reply to BP2-How do you know?, posted by Mr. Scott on October 18, 2001, at 0:15:56
>
> What are the tell tale signs that any of you Bipolar type twos used to figure out you were bipolar type two? I have a growing suspicion and a so called expert recently diagnosed me as such. For some reason I am having a hard time buying it, yet in some ways it makes a lot of sense.
>
> I haven't responded long term to any AD's. I have a history of substance abuse and acting out behavior in my youth. I tend to oversleep rather than under sleep. I can get cranked off 37.5mg of effexor and a cup of coffee. I have had ALL of the anxiety disorders at one time or another. Previous Dx of ADD. But I've never had any clear MANIA, and it's difficult to tell if hypomania is just feeling really good for few hours/days. I need my sleep to function at all and never have gone without it. I am nothing like a true bipolar is described... I am erratic in my moods however..
>
> Any response appreciatedMr. Scott,
The number one tell-tale sign is hypomanic responses to antidepressants. Also, BPII's are more med-sensitive (and med intolerant) and generallly require lower dosages of mood stabilizers, antidepressants, etc. for reasonable control of symptoms. Also, there is a confirmed high correlation to past substance abuse, high comorbidity with anxiety disorders: OCD/GAD/PANIC/Social Phobia, and often comorbid Adult ADD or ADHD. Also there maybe a history of *paradoxical* reactions to anxiolytics, i.e., that is consonant with ADHD. I had rage reactions to steroids, diazepam, buspar, for example. But became quiet, focused, and had great sleep architecture/consistency on psychostimulants.
Mitch
Posted by Krazy Kat on October 18, 2001, at 8:32:45
In reply to Re: BP2-How do you know? » Mr. Scott, posted by Mitch on October 18, 2001, at 1:50:48
Ug, it seems like the "catch all" diagnosis right now, doesn't it?
I'm now classified as rapid cycling BP II. I think it should be BP I b/c I have had hallucinations, other manic-type systems.
Anyway... I would see if a mood stabilizer is helpful for you. If it is, I'd accept the BP II diagnosis. That's the simplest way to handle I think.
Remember, diagnoses are going to change. What matters is getting help and getting better.
BTW, I take Depakote, 1000 mg and Prozac 40 - 60 mg right now. It's not perfect, but it's the best cocktail I've been on.
- K.
Posted by jay on October 18, 2001, at 12:11:18
In reply to BP2-How do you know?, posted by Mr. Scott on October 18, 2001, at 0:15:56
>
> What are the tell tale signs that any of you >Bipolar type twos used to figure out you were >bipolar type two? I have a growing suspicion >and a so called expert recently diagnosed me as >such. For some reason I am having a hard time >buying it, yet in some ways it makes a lot of >sense.
>
> I haven't responded long term to any AD's. I >have a history of substance abuse and acting out >behavior in my youth. I tend to oversleep >rather than under sleep. I can get cranked off >37.5mg of effexor and a cup of coffee. I have >had ALL of the anxiety disorders at one time or >another. Previous Dx of ADD. But I've never >had any clear MANIA, and it's difficult to tell >if hypomania is just feeling really good for few >hours/days. I need my sleep to function at all >and never have gone without it. I am nothing >like a true bipolar is described... I am erratic >in my moods however..
>
> Any response appreciatedMr. Scott:
Man, you sound *ditto* to me! My problems in my youth where developmental, and I turned into a withdrawn, horridly self-conscious kid. I failed Grade 1 and 2, so was held back for a few years. I had all sorts of motor skill problems, and couldn't do math, reading comprehension, and would just break down crying.
Anyhow, I got the BP2 tag, but I am hesitent of Dx's. Like you, I rarely have anything truly *manic*, and just 'dysphoric' reactions to most meds, except benzo's. I barely get by on 37.5mg's of Effexor, and that is after four years of building up tolerance to get that dose!
Like you, I tend to sleep way too much. I find one thing helpful with that. Goto bed a bit later at night, even if you feel cruddy waking up. It is sort-of a mild 'sleep deprivation', but just letting myself get too much sleep leads to a major *horrible* feeling. Even after a few days of *power-sleeping* for 6-7 hours, you may really notice a difference. I think *oversleeping* actually also somewhat causes or exacerbates depression, and can work both ways. Just don't sleep-deprive yourself too much. Then you will feel very cruddy, and may run the risk of mania and such.
Good luck...I will share any further experience.
Jay
Posted by Mr.Scott on October 18, 2001, at 12:52:04
In reply to Re: BP2-How do you know? » Mr. Scott, posted by Mitch on October 18, 2001, at 1:50:48
I do feel Awesome when I first start any AD within a week or so. But then over time I just get depressed again and affected more and more by side effects. It may even make depression worse!!
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