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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Pandabear on April 16, 2004, at 21:25:50
I have not posted anything in a while but I wanted to update people. I had my second opinion with a counselor and she said that she believes that i have either cyclothymia or bipolar 2. So, this proves that my therapists were right. I have since then started back on my seroquel...even though I hate it...but hopefully that will make them happy...Can anyone tell me about cyclothymia? My understanding is that it is the same as hypomania yet less severe? What is the difference between bipolar 2 and cyclothymia..personally I believe that im bipolar 2 but I have been in denial because it is so hard to believe when everyone around me that has known me for forever doesnt see it. But, I am starting to see it...yet at the same time..cyclothymia sounds like me too..so I have no idea..but she said I definately have one of the two...I think since my 2 therapists are leaning towards bipolar two and this counselor said it could be either..I guess I really am bipolar 2...I dont know. Anyway, I am rambling..but this is my update. my only thing im irritated with is that I cannot get in to seemy therapist until the end of may..which means I will not have seen her for 2 months..which is a long time for someone that goes every week!!! AHHH. Oh well.
Posted by terrics on April 17, 2004, at 9:59:54
In reply to Cyclothymia and Bipolar 2, posted by Pandabear on April 16, 2004, at 21:25:50
Hi, I think the only difference between cyclothymia and bp 2 is degree. Cyclothymia does not have highs quiet as high or lows quiet as low as bp2. In bipolar 1 the highs go off the board and psychosis is prevalent and the lows are really low. I'm not 100% sure though.
2 months is a long time to go without seeing your T. How can that happen? terrics
Posted by deirdrehbrt on April 18, 2004, at 22:06:26
In reply to Re: Cyclothymia and Bipolar 2 » Pandabear, posted by terrics on April 17, 2004, at 9:59:54
Terri and pandabear,
Terri is right about cyclothymia and Bipolar 2, in that it is a difference in degrees. In Cyclothymia the highs and lows don't reach the point of being hypomania or deep depression.
Bipolar 2 can go from depression to hypomania.
Bipolar 1 goes from depression to full blown mania. Mixed episodes (where mania and depression are present at the same time) would also be categorized as Bipolar 1. I believe that Pandabear is correct about the psychotic episodes too. I have bipolar 1, and do have psychotic symptoms. I don't know though if they are present in bipolar 2 or cyclotymia.
Any kind of bipolar disorder can really stink. Sometimes it takes quite a while to find the right combination of meds. In some cases no meds can control the disorder completely. I'm on Seroquel, 700 mg/day, Lamictal, Effexor, Lithium, and cogentin to deal with the side-effects at night. I still have occasional hallucinations, as I mentioned in another post, I an in the midst of a bit of mania. I still get depressed, though my suicide attempts have gone down I have had at least one mixed episode, and it was horrible. I heard a description once where someone described them as "being depressed at 100 miles per hour". That description is completely accurate.
In honesty, the Bipolar 1 isn't the only psychiatric diagnosis. I have DID also, and perhaps when I've dealt with the DID, maybe the symptoms of the bipolar disorder may resolve.
Posted by Dr. Bob on April 19, 2004, at 8:12:51
In reply to Cyclothymia and Bipolar 2, posted by Pandabear on April 16, 2004, at 21:25:50
> I had my second opinion with a counselor and she said that she believes that i have either cyclothymia or bipolar 2. So, this proves that my therapists were right. I have since then started back on my seroquel...even though I hate it...but hopefully that will make them happy...Can anyone tell me about cyclothymia?
Sorry to interrupt, but how about if we redirect this to (just plain) Psycho-Babble? Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040417/msgs/337668.html
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by pegasus on April 19, 2004, at 13:37:04
In reply to Redirect: Cyclothymia and Bipolar 2, posted by Dr. Bob on April 19, 2004, at 8:12:51
This thread is about cylothymia, not medications (although meds were mentioned briefly). Isn't that a valid thing for PB Psycho? It's about psychology, right?
Just getting a little confused here.
pegasus
Posted by Dr. Bob on April 22, 2004, at 3:19:23
In reply to Re: Redirect: Huh? » Dr. Bob, posted by pegasus on April 19, 2004, at 13:37:04
> This thread is about cylothymia, not medications (although meds were mentioned briefly). Isn't that a valid thing for PB Psycho? It's about psychology, right?
Sorry, though brief, that mention of meds threw me off. :-)
Bob
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