I have multiple mental health diagnosis . Bipolar , ADHD & intermittent explosive disorder.I was wondering if major depressive episode could also occur with my other disorder’s ?

I was diagnosed as being bipolar aprox 6 months ago. The doc put me on 100mg Lamictal, 10mg Loxapro 10mg Remeron (at night) and 1mg Xanax as needed. This combo has been working for the most part except for deminishing the really LOW lows. The doc will not up the Lexapro. I feel I need more help with the depression. Any suggestions as far as a different antidepressent goes? Also, I’m like an emotionless drone, is this because my “mania” is under control? I just feel dull and emotionless and not myself? What do you think?

In 2008, a study concluded that the over diagnosis of bipolar disorder is now a greater concern than the under diagnosis. Fewer than half of previously diagnosed bipolar disorder patients retested under the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID) actually qualified under the psychiatric terms for bipolar disorder diagnosis.

The study was conducted by principle investigator, Mark Zimmerman, M.D., with the Rhode Island Hospital and Brown University researchers.

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There has been a lot of controversy surrounding bipolar disorder and bipolar treatment that sufferers can expect to receive. One of the reasons for this is too many people feel equipped to talk about people who are bipolar without actually fully understanding the types of bipolar treatment that are available. In fact talk to most people and ask them to name a bipolar treatment and it is likely that they will reply with a one word answer such as “Prozac”. Whilst Prozac can and is used to treat the symptoms of bipolar disorder this drug is just the tips of the iceberg when it comes to bipolar treatment as there is much more out there from medication to alternative therapies.
When someone is diagnosed as being bipolar it is easy to think that a simple pill each day will rid them of their symptoms and life will return to normal in a few days. Unfortunately this isn’t always the case and this is why it takes some time for some individuals to get the correct bipolar treatment which will work well for them.
As previously mentioned Prozac can work well as a form of bipolar treatment, it works by encouraging the production of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a natural chemical which when produced lifts the mood and this helps as a form of bipolar treatment as it can stabilise the mood of a sufferer. This type of medication (and others) is in the group of SSRIs (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) which are often prescribed to combat the symptoms and feelings that bipolar disorder produces. Another group of medication that is also used as a bipolar treatment are tricyclic medications which work along the same lines as SSRIs. Lithium can also be used as a bipolar treatment as this too works as a mood stabiliser and this is one of the most well known and ‘popular’ treatments for bipolar disorder.
Cogitative behavioural therapy can be extremely useful as an additional bipolar treatment and many psychiatrists recommend it to people suffering from bipolar disorder. CBT works so well because it helps those with a bipolar diagnosis to recognise the ‘triggers’ that tend to signal the start of a bipolar high or low. Once these triggers are recognised a person who is bipolar is then able to put into practice some of the self help methods and techniques which have been shown to them in CBT sessions.
Some people also advocate a change in diet as a secondary bipolar treatment, as many believe that a healthy diet that is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids can be beneficial for those with bipolar disorder. Complementary therapy’s such as yoga, meditation and acupuncture can also be used as these can play a large and important role in the emotional wellbeing of a person and can also help to lift the mood. Exercise can also help as a bipolar treatment as exercise releases endorphins, the body’s own ‘feel good’ chemicals and these can boost the mood significantly.

recently hospitalised and diagnosed and just wondering is this common? it seems a bit strange that u can be up and down at the same time. and its probably the worst frame of mind to be in because you can be full of energy but also raging with hostility and impatience. its like your mind is 2 different places at once.

I believe that I may have bipolar disorder, and I will be going to a clinician next week to discuss my issues. I am unable to work because of extreme anxiety and depression, I was trying to find employment but all it did was give so much anxitey. I did work for the same employer for over 14 years and it kills me to even think that I would be unable to work ever again, because of this, I have worked since I was 15. Someone told be that if I am diagnosed with bipolar I can apply for SSDI because it is considered a disability, which would be great because since I have not been working things are just spiraling in a downward direction financially. This time of the year is going to be especially heartbreaking because i hav no income. I have 5 boys, but only 2 I am responsible for because the others are of age. It is very hard for me to accept the fact that there may be something wrong with me. Any words of advice or wisdom from someone who has been through something similar and how long it took for a diagnosis to be established, would be greatly appreciated.
To P.E.R.V.: This information about being bipolar came from my PCP and she is the one that suggested I see a clinician. Believe me I do not want a label, I have 2 children that have very legitimate labels and i hate the fact that they are “labeled”. Believe me i don’t want to crawl into a hole I am on meds and hopefully this will help. I have been or was in the social service field for over 14 years helping people and I know that there are alot of people out there that milk the system and would rather sit on there fat behinds to have someone hand them everything. Believe me I am not looking for a free ride or looking to sit on my behind and have things handed to me. I did check with a website allsup and a lawyer to see what I would be eligible for if it did come down to it and it is not $650 per month i would have to live off of it is approx 2100 per mth that i could be potentially elig for. But thanks soooo much for your advice.
Dear piji_caj:

Thank you for your support and your kind words of hoping that that I feel better soon. Its nice to get kinds words and support especially from strangers and someone who has experience with it. It sounds as if you have been through alot yourself and got through it and is possible. The clinician I am going to see seems to be very understanding and hopefully will get me to a better place soon. Good luck to you too!!!!!

hello, was recently after a very brief interview diagnosed as possibly bi polar, but can’t there be similar symptoms when one has gone through a traumatic experience? or do 1-3 traumatic experiences kind of make you bipolar?

confused and trying to find trhe right person to talk to, very difficult.

one month after being diagnosed as bipolar, my husband seems worse! he started medicaton a month ago, but seems more agitated and irritated about every tiny little thing. it’s almost like he’s paranoid and obsessive/compulsive about the smallest things. what could be happening?
my husband has told me that the psychiatrist does not want to see me, that he just wants to work with him for now and that i don’t need to get involved in his medical conditions. also, the md only wants to see him once every 6-8 weeks. he is seeing a counselor once a week, but the guy is gone on vacation this week. i feel very excluded and don’t know how far to push (hippa laws prevent medical info from being distributed to other parties).

wife refuses to acknowledge bipolar diagnosis. Refuses meds. Life was already hell. Now she is pregnant, and it is worse than ever. Any ideas?