Aa
Bipolar Type2
Ive been getting treatment and Ive been doing great until today my doctor told me that my diagnosis is Bipolar type 2. I dont understand what this is? I dont understand why I wasnt told my diagnosis when I first started getting help. I was told originally that I just had severe depression. Should I get a second opinion? I dont want to be bipolar at all. I feel that if I am bipolar I would be better off dead. I dont want to take bipolar meds and I dont want to take meds for the rest of my life. I dont want to hurt my friends and family by constantly being a horrible awful person with bipolar. Id rather be dead so I cant hurt anyone anymore. Having a positive diagnosis of bipolar will ruin my entire life. I could lose my job and then I cant afford to support myself. How can anyone be certain of their diagnosis??? Id rather be dead than hurt others with my diagnosis. I cant do this.
I am bipolarII there is nothing to be ashamed of. It's a less severe version of bipolar. You won't lose your job! I am on amazing medication which keeps my major depression totally under control and all the ups n downs have stopped. I'm level finally! Just listen to your dr and take your medication! You can live a better life with the proper medication!!!!!!! Right now I'm on lamotragine, abilify and Effexor and I'm more level headed than most people out there lol
Medication can change your life I am eternally grateful to my dr for diagnosing me and prescribing me the right medication finally! I wish you all the best, it took them 15 years to diagnose me but when they did and I got the right treatment I was finally happy. Truly happy. No more depression.
Medication can change your life I am eternally grateful to my dr for diagnosing me and prescribing me the right medication finally! I wish you all the best, it took them 15 years to diagnose me but when they did and I got the right treatment I was finally happy. Truly happy. No more depression.
Having bipolar is not actually quite that different from having depression. It specifically has manic episodes in addition to depressive episodes. This is a standard but accurate explanation.
"Question: What is Bipolar 2 Disorder?
Answer: According to the definition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), bipolar II disorder (also known as bipolar 2 disorder or bipolar type 2) is "characterized by one or more major depressive episodes accompanied by at least one hypomanic episode." The key difference between bipolar 1 and bipolar 2 is that bipolar 2 has hypomanic but not manic episodes, meaning the symptoms of mania are generally less severe in type 2. Also, while those with bipolar I disorder may experience additional psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations, bipolar II by definition cannot have psychotic features."
If you want to know more about it there are websites linked up on the welcome page. Also keep a mood tracker and then you can understand what the mood episodes are like and when they occur. Many medications for bipolar are also anti-convulsants so in some ways it is similar to what they treat but it is an overactivity in the limbic (emotional) system of the brain. Of course its more clinically complex than that but they are learning just exactly how.
"Question: What is Bipolar 2 Disorder?
Answer: According to the definition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), bipolar II disorder (also known as bipolar 2 disorder or bipolar type 2) is "characterized by one or more major depressive episodes accompanied by at least one hypomanic episode." The key difference between bipolar 1 and bipolar 2 is that bipolar 2 has hypomanic but not manic episodes, meaning the symptoms of mania are generally less severe in type 2. Also, while those with bipolar I disorder may experience additional psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations, bipolar II by definition cannot have psychotic features."
If you want to know more about it there are websites linked up on the welcome page. Also keep a mood tracker and then you can understand what the mood episodes are like and when they occur. Many medications for bipolar are also anti-convulsants so in some ways it is similar to what they treat but it is an overactivity in the limbic (emotional) system of the brain. Of course its more clinically complex than that but they are learning just exactly how.
Yeah, bipolar is a lot like diabetes! It's actually amazing how many similarities we have with type 2 diabetes. And, when you think about it, diabetes is a chemical imbalance caused by the malfunction of different organs (liver and pancreas.) And just like type 2 treatment can be very difficult with oral medication.
The big difference, of course, is we bipolar people don't have an "insulin" go to substance when all else fails. :(
The big difference, of course, is we bipolar people don't have an "insulin" go to substance when all else fails. :(
Being diagnosed with Bipolar 2 has been one of the best things that has ever happen to me. I am no longer self destructive to my friends or family. You will be amazed how good you feel on a mood stablizer. Your job should be understanding because in the long run it will only make you a better employee. And, your family/ friends who truly care about you will support you. Just think of Bipolar like diabetes. Alot of people in this world have it and some have to be controlled with meds. Hang in there.
One of the things you say in your post is that you don't understand what bipolar is, and I think your fear and misconceptions are at the root of your problem.
The first thing you ought to do is to educate yourself about this condition and talk to others who share it.Not everybody with bipolar is out of work or disabled or constantly in crisis. I think that you will find that there are people out there who have experience of taking regular medication and living relatively normal lives with the illness.
The first thing you ought to do is to educate yourself about this condition and talk to others who share it.Not everybody with bipolar is out of work or disabled or constantly in crisis. I think that you will find that there are people out there who have experience of taking regular medication and living relatively normal lives with the illness.
Your post is somewhat upsetting. Being bipolar doesn't mean you're a horrible aweful person. It means you have an illness that effects your life. Not all people with bipolar are mean, not all people with bipolar spend all their money or sleep around. Not all people with bipolar have drug or alcohol problems. The sooner you are treated for bipolar the better. Knowledge really is power in treating this illness. Do you know who else has mood swings and gets really mean sometimes? People with diabetes when their blood glucose is out of control. Would you say the same thing if you were diagnosed with diabetes?
Also, if you live in the US you can't just be fired because you have bipolar. That's discrimination against a person with a disability. A company could be in big trouble for that. I have bipolar and I hold a full time job and support my family. I have resonable accomidations at my work for things caused by my bipolar, like when I'm having trouble concentrating. It isn't the easiest thing in the world, but I am succeeding at my life and my life isn't ruined by bipolar.
My family I have 2 beautiful sons and a wonderful husband who loves me and helps me. So in the way of family I am very blessed and bipolar has not ruined that either.
I would rather be alive with bipolar than dead. I would rather fight for my life than to just give up and die because of a diagnosis. My mom died when I was 13 and I don't want to leave my sons behind with the pain that I was left with when my mom died. People with bipolar are at high risk for suicide, and I would rather fight that then die of it.
If you are bipolar it is better to know and get treatment then to suffer from it and die by your own actions. I know you are grieving with your diagnosis right now, but it is not the end of the world. You can survive.
Also, if you live in the US you can't just be fired because you have bipolar. That's discrimination against a person with a disability. A company could be in big trouble for that. I have bipolar and I hold a full time job and support my family. I have resonable accomidations at my work for things caused by my bipolar, like when I'm having trouble concentrating. It isn't the easiest thing in the world, but I am succeeding at my life and my life isn't ruined by bipolar.
My family I have 2 beautiful sons and a wonderful husband who loves me and helps me. So in the way of family I am very blessed and bipolar has not ruined that either.
I would rather be alive with bipolar than dead. I would rather fight for my life than to just give up and die because of a diagnosis. My mom died when I was 13 and I don't want to leave my sons behind with the pain that I was left with when my mom died. People with bipolar are at high risk for suicide, and I would rather fight that then die of it.
If you are bipolar it is better to know and get treatment then to suffer from it and die by your own actions. I know you are grieving with your diagnosis right now, but it is not the end of the world. You can survive.
I too have tinnitus. It is (I think) a 16kHz ringing sound constantly. Consequently I am deaf to 16kHz noises. I just turn things up louder than it to drown it out. Go hear and click on the 16kHz one to hear what I hear if you're curious. DO NOT click on the top bars, start at the lower bars first. DO NOT CLICK THE TOP BARS FIRST.
http://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/jw/hearing.html
http://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/jw/hearing.html
incidentally, don't worry it will stabilize, but try to avoid the loud noise in the future. There is no cure to it. I doubt because surgery would be extremely difficult it's in the inside ear
he couldn't get rid of it. he just lives with it. he used to take bitaserc 16mg then he stopped a while ago. apparently it didn't deteriorate much further. now he has it in both ears, it gets worse with cold
I have tinnitus. It resulted from a head injury. Still ringing lol it sure does disturb a lot of activities, especially sleep. At night I watch movies to ease the high pitch noise and in turn I stay up watching movies instead of being able to sleep; even with the most boring~est movies. How'd your father get ride of the tinnitus?
I wholeheartedly agree with Steph 1212.
For 15 years I was treated for unipolar depression. My hypomania was not treated and would actually make the depression worse, because I would feel terrible about the things I did when I was hypomanic, and beat myself up over it (literally). I also lost friends and found out that people I thought were friends were not really.
Within 3 weeks of being put on a bipolar med (Depakote), I felt better than I had in years. I felt like myself, at last.
This was because I was finally on the right treatment.
My husband noticed the difference in me; my boss commented on my increased performance and said I have really developed lately. I am now being considered for promotion.
I was scared about Bipolar meds too, but I have had far less side effects than from anti-depressants.
The only thing I had with Depakote was some hair thinning, which bothers me, but may not bother everyone. I am now switching to Lithium and so far have had no side-effects, which is many people's experience.
There are horror stories around, and I think that's why people panic. I would advise that you sit down with your psychiatrist or doctor, and ask for some factual information about the different meds available.
The diagnosis really doesn't have to be a bad thing. I can safely say that it was one of the best thing that has ever happened to me. I now lead a normal life for the first time in 15 years, and there's no reason why it can't be the same for you.
xx
For 15 years I was treated for unipolar depression. My hypomania was not treated and would actually make the depression worse, because I would feel terrible about the things I did when I was hypomanic, and beat myself up over it (literally). I also lost friends and found out that people I thought were friends were not really.
Within 3 weeks of being put on a bipolar med (Depakote), I felt better than I had in years. I felt like myself, at last.
This was because I was finally on the right treatment.
My husband noticed the difference in me; my boss commented on my increased performance and said I have really developed lately. I am now being considered for promotion.
I was scared about Bipolar meds too, but I have had far less side effects than from anti-depressants.
The only thing I had with Depakote was some hair thinning, which bothers me, but may not bother everyone. I am now switching to Lithium and so far have had no side-effects, which is many people's experience.
There are horror stories around, and I think that's why people panic. I would advise that you sit down with your psychiatrist or doctor, and ask for some factual information about the different meds available.
The diagnosis really doesn't have to be a bad thing. I can safely say that it was one of the best thing that has ever happened to me. I now lead a normal life for the first time in 15 years, and there's no reason why it can't be the same for you.
xx
>>>Ive been getting treatment and Ive been doing great until today my doctor told me that my diagnosis is Bipolar disorder type 2
if your doctor is the same one who treated you before then he is identical with the stupid one i went to see first. BP2 starts by being depressed and pdocs unfortunately don't have time to investigate the case thoroughly so they assume that you have either major or what is called a unipolar depression. So they give you antidepressants. since there is a whole spectrum of depression ranging from being simply sad to extreme anger you can develop mania. Thus your smart pdoc tells you you have a bipolar disorder. I bet it's his mistake and sure there must be a kind of differential diagnosis to start with or at least for a depressed person his doctor shouldn't have excluded BP for start. now if the person become manic unfortunately the process is not reversible and chances exist that you will get mania again and again unless you realize that in order to save the brain you must be under a mood stabilizer.
now usually in 100% of the patients, there is a period of denial short or long, the shorter is the better so that you can control the disease early enough. In my case i didn't accept it and i wasn't able till now to become stable. However i have seen others who are very stable, married and have children and leading a normal life. My mistake is that each time i consider a drug and read abt the side effects i refuse it until i had more attacks and got worse.
However, you are entitled to a 2nd opinion, see another doc and cut it short and finish up with this business of having the disorder or not.
any disease is bad, my father had tinitus, as if someone is whisling in your ear all the time and can't sleep well, it may be worse than BP. One has to accept facts of life, you can get sick exactly like others and not only them who fall ill.
As to "you have being doing great" it's because you took probably antidepressants.
if your doctor is the same one who treated you before then he is identical with the stupid one i went to see first. BP2 starts by being depressed and pdocs unfortunately don't have time to investigate the case thoroughly so they assume that you have either major or what is called a unipolar depression. So they give you antidepressants. since there is a whole spectrum of depression ranging from being simply sad to extreme anger you can develop mania. Thus your smart pdoc tells you you have a bipolar disorder. I bet it's his mistake and sure there must be a kind of differential diagnosis to start with or at least for a depressed person his doctor shouldn't have excluded BP for start. now if the person become manic unfortunately the process is not reversible and chances exist that you will get mania again and again unless you realize that in order to save the brain you must be under a mood stabilizer.
now usually in 100% of the patients, there is a period of denial short or long, the shorter is the better so that you can control the disease early enough. In my case i didn't accept it and i wasn't able till now to become stable. However i have seen others who are very stable, married and have children and leading a normal life. My mistake is that each time i consider a drug and read abt the side effects i refuse it until i had more attacks and got worse.
However, you are entitled to a 2nd opinion, see another doc and cut it short and finish up with this business of having the disorder or not.
any disease is bad, my father had tinitus, as if someone is whisling in your ear all the time and can't sleep well, it may be worse than BP. One has to accept facts of life, you can get sick exactly like others and not only them who fall ill.
As to "you have being doing great" it's because you took probably antidepressants.
I don't drink alcohol or do drugs. I do drink caffeine more than anything. I used to drink over 100 ounces of it a day. Yet I've narrowed it down to a 5-10 cans a day if I have it. Which I guess at 12 ounces a can, it isn't really a big difference. I'm bipolar I. and if I don't get the caffeine, it's a whole nother story..
Things besides cutting out drinking and drugs would also be to get the right amount of sleep and eat right. Also, I was told caffeine can send a person into mania if they drink too much of it and saccharine (an artificial sweetener) can interfere with medications. Really it's stuff anyone should do to stay healthy..
Bipolar disorder isn't a death sentence. Please avoid that (possibly self-fulfilling) kind of thinking.
Also if you are in fact bipolar, being treated for unipolar depression may make it worse, whereas you'll be amazed at being treated for bipolar depression.
Additionally, BP2 alone may not require as intensive of a medication treatment as BP1 alone.
Regardless, a diagnosis is just that; it's not who you are.
Also if you are in fact bipolar, being treated for unipolar depression may make it worse, whereas you'll be amazed at being treated for bipolar depression.
Additionally, BP2 alone may not require as intensive of a medication treatment as BP1 alone.
Regardless, a diagnosis is just that; it's not who you are.
Bipolar type 2 is a mood disorder characterized by alternating hypomanic states and deep depression. It's the classic "highs and lows" one thinks of when they think of bipolar. The main difference between 2 and 1 is Bipolar 1 will go into full manic states, which usually need hospitalization or constant monitoring.
It usually takes some time to get a diagnosis. And can be a little serious when giving the wrong one. Giving a bipolar person anti-depressants could make them go into a manic state.
I understand the initial shock with the diagnosis cause I've been there as well. I felt stupid, weak and embarrassed.
It took me days till I was able to even start researching. I will say when I did my research a lot of things started to make sense, which it may with you as well.
In fact years before I was told by another doctor I should see someone about my mood swings and I ignored it for many of the same reasons. And it kept getting worse and worse till a little over a month ago I had a full manic attack. I had to be monitored every day for a month and put under a sort of unofficial suicide watch. After I came down I did my research and after many years I've come to terms with it.
All I could tell you is that its not as bad as it seems. I remember being in your position and I wont lie the road looks tough, but it's not as impossible as I thought it would be. And you'll be surprised how supportive your family could be, and you don't need to tell your work.
Trust me it's not as dark as it seems, and as for the id rather be dead then hurt others, you would probably hurt them more if you were dead.
Some advise, (and I probably shouldn't be giving advise) but cut out all drinking and drugs if they are a part of your life right now, try to spend more time active and outdoors, and don't let this control your life.
Also go to your local library and take out a few books. This way you could see if the diagnosis makes sense to you. It's also a good way to figure out what is going on and what can be done about it.
It usually takes some time to get a diagnosis. And can be a little serious when giving the wrong one. Giving a bipolar person anti-depressants could make them go into a manic state.
I understand the initial shock with the diagnosis cause I've been there as well. I felt stupid, weak and embarrassed.
It took me days till I was able to even start researching. I will say when I did my research a lot of things started to make sense, which it may with you as well.
In fact years before I was told by another doctor I should see someone about my mood swings and I ignored it for many of the same reasons. And it kept getting worse and worse till a little over a month ago I had a full manic attack. I had to be monitored every day for a month and put under a sort of unofficial suicide watch. After I came down I did my research and after many years I've come to terms with it.
All I could tell you is that its not as bad as it seems. I remember being in your position and I wont lie the road looks tough, but it's not as impossible as I thought it would be. And you'll be surprised how supportive your family could be, and you don't need to tell your work.
Trust me it's not as dark as it seems, and as for the id rather be dead then hurt others, you would probably hurt them more if you were dead.
Some advise, (and I probably shouldn't be giving advise) but cut out all drinking and drugs if they are a part of your life right now, try to spend more time active and outdoors, and don't let this control your life.
Also go to your local library and take out a few books. This way you could see if the diagnosis makes sense to you. It's also a good way to figure out what is going on and what can be done about it.
Not sure of how to get an accurate diagnosis. The only things that can be accurate are your actions and your symptoms.. If you don't know much about bipolar II google it. You then might be certain of whether or not you are bipolar. Generally doctors are right, then again some aren't. Self diagnosis isn't good in some cases either, but it's good to know the written facts that are the base of these things. In my opinion, meds suck.
My question is, how would you lose your job?
My question is, how would you lose your job?
All bipolar type 2 means is you have more intense and frequent depressive episodes than you do manic episodes. Mania is where your mind and body are sped up and I'm sure you're already familiar with depression. Chances are you are experiencing hypomania for now which is a lite version of mania in essence. If you were able to cope with things before being told you have bipolar disorder, although I know it can cause a lot of anxiety just by hearing it, it is just an opinion by an expert in the field and does not change what you are going through or who you are. I don't understand how you could lose your job, what kind of job is it exactly if you don't mind me asking? I think maybe yeah you could get a second opinion just to be sure but as for meds, one of them used to treat bipolar disorder you're probably already taking. Just hang in there and stick it out, eventually you can possibly come to terms with your diagnosis. If you haven't hurt others before being told you have bipolar disorder, chances are you won't hurt them after.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Bipolar Disorder Community
15 signs that it’s more than just the blues
Discover the common symptoms of and treatment options for depression.
We've got five strategies to foster happiness in your everyday life.
Don’t let the winter chill send your smile into deep hibernation. Try these 10 mood-boosting tips to get your happy back
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
