I know this may sound like an extremely crazy question, but, what kind of meds do they prescribe for bipolar? Are they the same meds as any other anti-depressant for clinical depression, or different?
I was first diagnosed with sever clinical depression 11 yrs ago when I was 15. Since then, I have been on numerous different brands of anti-depressants. All different kinds, and all different brands. They helped a little bit with my mood swings, but that was about it, and that wasn't even completely better. The last thing I was on was Effexor at 225 mgs. When that wasn't helping they were going to up my dosage yet again, but didn't because he said the FDA doesn't recommend u go any higher than that. I'm now on Celexa.
Anyway, since I've been reading a lot about bipolar disorder lately, I've realized...OMG I'M BIPOLAR!!!! When I was diagnosed with clinical depression, I always argued it. My reasoning was, "I'm not depressed...only sometimes. I'm also a happy person and when I'm happy, I'm not depressed at all." Several phychologists and my therapist has asked me if I was bipolar or ever tested for it in the past. I said no, because I don't have manic episodes. I was also told before that bipolar ppl are never "in between", that they're either really up or really down. And back then I did have "in between" days. Nowadays I'm usually either up or down. But then someone mentioned Bipolar Type 2 to me. It was my son's behavior therapist to be exact. When I read about this type 2 I about freaked out...THIS IS ME!
So anyway, my next move is to bring this up to my psychiatrist. I have an appoinment with him in July for a check up on my new meds he has started me on. I was recently diagnosed with ADD and put on a stuimulant and my anti-depressant switched because he didn't want me taking a stimulant with Effexor for some reason. I also take Klonopin PRN for my panic attacks.
So, if I do in fact have Bipolar Type 2, what do u think I will be looking at as far as meds go? Do they just simply prescribe an anti-depressant for Bipolar? I heard Lithium was bad to take. Is this true? And is a stimulant ok to take if ur Bipolar?
If it turns out that I am in fact Bipolar, I'm not gonna know what to think. I'm going to be relieved, but almost embarrassed at the same time. Please don't take offense to this statement. Its just that with the way ppl are these days, I've grown up always hearing ppl accusing someone of being bipolar if the were acting "crazy", and doing it in such a way as to put that person down...laughing about it like its a joke. This is very sad, and I know not the case when to be taken seriously. I know many ppl are bipolar, but for some reason I can't help but feel like less of a person if this is truly what I am. Why should I be ashamed? It makes me feel like such a fool. Ok ok, I'm rambling on now...I'll shut up. Thats just my ADD coming out. LOL :p