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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by devon00 on March 29, 2004, at 20:51:51
Here are some of the issues I'd like your thoughts on. First of all, I've been having some symptoms lately that I don't really know what to make of. My mood changes rapidly from pretty depressed (tearfulness, worry) to giddy and hyper (talking a lot, laughing). For instance, one day might be a giddy day, the next day normal, and the next tearful. It's not ridiculously extreme but one close friend mentioned that he's worried I might be bipolar. I have been on many antidepressants over the years, and as I understand it they can bring out latent bipolar disorder. My dad was bipolar, so it runs in my family.
My questions are this...could my mood changes be anything other than bipolar? What could explain it? Is it possible I could be a rapid cycling bipolar? How common is that? Also, I am worried about getting treatment for bipolar (if I have it) because I have always heard that there aren't really good treatments for it...that they slow your thinking, make you gain weight and have other unpleasant side effects. Is this really true?
Furthermore, is diagnosis really just a matter of opinion? What are the things a doctor looks at when making a diagnosis? I'm worried about getting the wrong diagnosis.
I also have been noticing lately that my thinking isn't nearly as sharp as it used to be. I get confused easily, make stupid spelling mistakes, get mixed up in conversations. Could my antidepressant (Lexapro) be causing it? Sometimes I don't take it consistently. Could that do it?
Lastly, I just don't know the first step to take to address these problems. I don't have insurance and don't know how to find a therapist/doctor and what it would cost. Furthermore, I don't know if I could afford any medications he/she would prescribe. This is making me feel kind of helpless and I just don't know where to start. Your thoughts please?
Posted by spreeville on March 29, 2004, at 21:02:46
In reply to Diagnosing bipolar, medication+insurance issues, posted by devon00 on March 29, 2004, at 20:51:51
Hm...usually bipolar mood swings are extremely rapid, from one second to the next. I had a similar problem last year, but my mood swings would take place over a few minutes, gradually.
Also, there is a new drug coming out for bi-polar
Posted by Fallen4myT on March 29, 2004, at 21:23:50
In reply to Diagnosing bipolar, medication+insurance issues, posted by devon00 on March 29, 2004, at 20:51:51
Hi call your county health department they may be able to get you in to see a therapist even free...As to bi polar from what I know there are many kinds so we cannot know if that is what you are but a therapist or doc can help to know and test you. I suffer bad anxiety and can get like you described my dx is PTSD so please see a pro..mixed states , rapid cycling, bp 1 , bp2 so many and also other dxes that come close
This is the end of the thread.
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