Posted by Adam Donahue on November 11, 2003, at 9:03:22
In reply to Advice needed - should I start on Lithium?, posted by sackhoullier on November 10, 2003, at 14:29:10
Yours sounds almost /exactly/ like my situation. Problem is, I don't tend to get depressed unless I do something that triggers the depression -- these wild mania episodes where I feel like I MUST do something -- drink -- and it inevitably leads to my overdrinking and being depressed.
Am I alcoholic, bipolar, both? My pdoc says I'm bipolar II, a classic case, but I wonder if certain aspects of my bipolarism aren't simply aspects of my actual personality. I've /always/ been energetic -- it's just when I started to drink that things got out of control.
(I'm on Celexa, too, which may be the reason my BAL shoots up so high so damn quickly.)
My doc also prescribed lithium, but I haven't yet taken it. I am currently depressed from a Friday night drinking binge that left me hospitalized. I feel like a zombie, like there is a 'hole' in my brain. This usually passes after a week or so -- of course I always panic it won't -- but I'm wondering if I should start the lithium now, or wait until I start feeling 'normal' again. My doc, my family -- everyone says 'now' -- but I'm worried that it will make me feel changed, and inside I'll still think I'm not 100%.
Like you, I am highly motivated, I have an intense job that I love, I'm very intelligent (in certain areas at least!), and I have a great, friendly personality. I don't want to lose any of this ... especially the energy, drive, and intelligence that generally gives me my edge in my industry.
Adam
poster:Adam Donahue
thread:278254
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031111/msgs/278502.html