Posted by detroitpistons on January 31, 2009, at 8:52:39
Hi all,
I've been struggling with the idea of a Bipolar II diagnosis for a couple years now. I have NEVER experienced any kind of euphoria, grandiosity, spending sprees, etc.
I have, however, experienced irritability, anger, and negative energy. During these times, I am more likely to experience things like road rage and I tend to speak my mind more freely (it was very difficult to keep my composure on the phone with AT&T this week!) I think the idea that hypomanias are not always pleasant has emerged in the past few years. Still, I think there are doctors out there who think that mania and hypomania need to be "fun" in order to carry that designation.
About 3 years ago, I was in a deep depression. I got out of it with a 225 mg dose of Effexor XR. Then, I started getting this negative internal energy, anxiety, irritability, a tight feeling in my chest, and a general feeling of discomfort. I was put on Lamictal, and eventually, things got better. Since then, things haven't always been rosy, but I think the Lamictal has succeeded in preventing major depressions.
I think I also have a generalized anxiety disorder which could be sort of distinct from my depression. During depressions, I have anxiety, but I also have some anxiety when not depressed. A lot of times it's situational. My mom's main problem has always been generalized anxiety with some OCD-like tendencies. She doesn't really ever get depressed or hypomanic, at least not that I can tell.
Currently, I'm still mostly OK on Lamictal and Effexor, but I've had a lot of life changes recently. I've had difficulty staying asleep lately and I think I'm feeling a touch of irritability and a little generalized anxiety. I'm going in to see the psych, right now, in fact.
One idea I'm kicking around right now is, if I am indeed bipolar II, perhaps I never experience euphoria because of my natural tendency to be anxious.
Thoughts? Anybody feel like this applies to them?
poster:detroitpistons
thread:877319
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090104/msgs/877319.html