Posted by BarbaraCat on September 4, 2002, at 0:49:15
In reply to Re: Omega 3 side effect ????? » BarbaraCat, posted by LLL on September 3, 2002, at 13:51:23
I hope this doesn't mean I'm manic.... hmmmmm. Not for me to say, however, finding out that I was bipolar solved many puzzles for me and I'm glad to have a better handle on my symptoms than when I though I was 'just' having major depression. This is a checklist that I wish I had had many years ago.
1. When first starting SSRI's do you feel very speedy or amped up the first few weeks?
2. When first starting SSRIs's do you feel like your skin is crawling or your jaw hurts from cleching it? Is it physical discomfort for the first few weeks until you 'get used to it'?
3. Have you had times when you didn't need as much sleep, that is, you had energy to spare and didn't want to be bothered with sleep because you had so many dang projects going on? Are these times cyclical in nature?
4. Have you had periods when you really needed sleep but couldn't fall asleep because your thoughts were revving?
5. Is insomnia a real problem for you, i.e., does it cause you more anxiety and complexity in a big way when you're not getting enough sleep? Do things fall apart pretty fast when you're not getting enough sleep? (This is not just a bipolar problem, but lack of sleep will elicit a hypomanic episode pretty reliably.)
6. Do your episodes of quick thinking and elation eventually become out of control and disorganized? Do these high flying states inevitably crash into despair and depression? Are these highs and lows cyclical?
7. Have you spent loads of money and bought tons of stuff because of your projects and later looked upon the piles of stuff with utter dismay?
8. Do you flit from one thing to another, getting easily distracted? Is this a typical way of life for you, or does it come and go? Why do you think this distracted behavior is indicative of bipolar vs. ADD? Or vice versa?
9. Have you on occasion been rather flamboyant and delightfully crazed with brilliant (or so you think) ideas flowing fast? Do these wild sprees feel like some bright spirit has wandered in, and then leaves, leaving you feeling bereft and dull? Are these events cyclical?
8. Do you have paradoxical reactions to drugs, i.e., downers speed you up and uppers calm you down? (Note: this may also be a sign of ADD, but is also a bipolar red flag).
9. Name 3 things that you love to do more than anything, that has brought you joy from way back.
1.
2.
3.10. Are you doing any one of these things more than 10% of your life right now in a way that is supporting you financially and spiritually?
11. If yes, you're probably not a regular to this board, if not, how do you react to the loss of these joys in your life?
Sorry to get of on a supposed tangent, but all these questions are very relevant. Any one of 1-8 answered yes should make you rethink your diagnosis towards bipolar. If you are bipolar, then you need to address it in a very different way than amy other diagnosis. NOTHING to be ashamed, upset or horrified about - it's just, well, different. I'm not 'better' by any means, but thank Spirit and appropriate meds, I no longer have the bleak despairing horrors of the past. And BTW, the last three questions, to me, are the crux of everything. - Barbara
> Thank you soooooo much! Does this mean I'm very sensitive to an increase in Serotonin? Is this why I can't handle the SSRI's. I don't have depression, but do have panic disorder/agoraphobia. I hope this doesn't mean I'm manic!
> Thanks
poster:BarbaraCat
thread:118172
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020829/msgs/118735.html