Posted by Karen_kay on January 30, 2004, at 19:26:29
In reply to Re: topomax » PoohBear, posted by headachequeen on January 30, 2004, at 16:23:35
Bipolar I dx is made when a person has had at least one manic or mixed episode, lasting for one week, unless hospitalization occurs (I think??) and at least one major depressive episode (though you don't have to have a depressive episode to be dx).
For me personally (Shhh, you won't tell, right???) I had a habit of getting nakie in public and walking around town at four o'clock in the afternoon, I've flashed police cars, random strangers, slept with strangers off the street. Of course my sister suggested I do it (walk around town naked, that is), and she knew I wasn't "feeling well" but she didn't know I had Bipolar Disorder. She just thought I was a riot (it's not quite so funny now). I also spent money I didn't have (to the sum of thousands of dollars while I was a starving college student), shop lifted, and gone on very little sleep for numerous days.Bipolar II Disorder dx is made when a person alternates between major depressive episodes and hypomanias. So, hypomania is a form of mania, only less severe and may not last as long as mania. Hypomania usually doesn't require hospitalization, and some people find it to be enjoyable. Usually I'm very talkative, need only a few hours of sleep, am very productive, have increased energy.
Hope that helps explain things with my embarrassing stories :)
poster:Karen_kay
thread:50878
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040127/msgs/307490.html