Posted by polarbear206 on January 14, 2007, at 23:56:41
In reply to Re: Bipolar II - Just got Diagnosed - confused ..., posted by nolegirl23 on January 14, 2007, at 19:23:03
> I was recently hospitalized for anorexia/bulima, major depression, panic disorder, OCD...
>
> I've been out for about 4 months, and I went through a phase where I just HAD to get a second full time job (because one wasn't enough), I felt like I had to immediately get out of debt (all of it..), go back to school.. So I got a second job, was sleeping less, (no biggie), started doing crazy things like Drinking and driving, drinking at work (I work in law enforcement....), and I'm not even a drinker really.
> I recently started cutting, and last week I REALLY cut my arms up badly..
>
> I told my psych. all of the above, and how my mind is constantly racing and how i feel like I always have to be doing something because I have all of this mental energy that I can't do anything with..
>
> He then tells me that my initial diagnosis of Major Depression may have been incorrect. He said that I probably have Bipolar II disorder..
> I cried as if I was told I had cancer or something. I am never manic, (I don't think...) I just get really really depressed at times.. Then he explained hypomania to me, and I'm still confused.
>
> Anyways, to make a long story a little longer, he added Lamictal to my medicinal regimen. I am on 40 mg.s per day of Lexapro, 4 mg's of Xanax, Vistaril (for sleep) and now Lamictal.
>
> Has anybody had any experience with lamictal, bipolar II, and how bipolar II differs from BPI?
>
> thanks a million,
> and best wishes to you all
> Nolegirl
Go to psycheducation.org for bipolar diagnosis and treatment education. Your onset of symptons could be antidepressant induced hypomania. Bipolar II can be harder to diagnose because it doesn't present as true mania as bipolar I (aka manic depression) Milder forms of hypomania can be periods of increased energy, feeling like you have a motor running in you and you can get take on multiple task and get alot accomplished with less sleep. You can also be agitated, angry and have anxiety at the same time which is known as a mixed state. Bipolar II is more depression dominated and usually requires an antidpressant. Your antidepressant will work the right way if it is in combination with a mood stabilizer. Too high a dose of an antidpressant can exacerbate mood cycling. There are even milder forms of bipolar II called cyclothymia and "soft" bipolar. I would recommend a good book for you to read that has some cases simular to your situation that would be very enlightening for you. The book is called "Why Your Depression Is Not Getting Better" by Dr. M. BartosHope this helps and keep us updated with your progress.
Oh, and Lamictal is an excellent drug with a high success rate. I'm on it too. Depression Central web site (Dr. Ivan Goldberg's site) is another great source of info for you to check out. He has a FAQ page on Lamictal which will answer all your questions.
Polarbear
poster:polarbear206
thread:720616
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070113/msgs/722401.html