But as someone who's diagnosed, does having a diagnosis help?
I had a major manic episode and went into psychosis briefly sometime in Feb 2020. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder shortly thereafter. I was prescribed medication but didn't take it. I've always been wary of psychiatric medication as I've heard they're pretty harsh on the body. I wanted to give myself time to explore other options.
Unfortunately I was quite oblivious to the danger I was in. I spent a year with rapid cycling but mostly hypomanic. My state grew worse at the end of that year and I ended up having a cervical disc bulge injury that would wreck my life completely.
I also found subsequently that there are very strong signs that I have BPD. I haven't had a formal diagnosis, but I can get it in one session like I did with the bipolar diagnosis. It is that crystal clear. All I need to do is to list my symptoms and I'll have it on a platter.
Bipolar+borderline is supposed to be the death knell really. There is no cure. Can only hope to be managed. It is one of the most if not the most difficult of conditions to manage from a psychiatric point of view. I'd put it just one rung under schizophrenia which is probably the toughest to manage.
Either one of BP or BPD alone is probably doable. IMO bipolar is easier to manage than borderline. Lithium is supposed to be the gold standard. If it works there's nothing like it. It may not for a few unlucky ones.
It will anyway harm the kidneys over the long term. As per my reading, one would have a time span of about 15 years before which kidney function would be substantially reduced, prompting the docs to change the medication. There are other long term side effects like anaemia, thyroid issues and so on that have to be taken into consideration.
I've been warned against anti psychotic medications. They mostly target the central nervous system and these can produce really bad long term side effects.
The basic philosophy behind these medications is that these conditions are due to certain imbalances in brain neurochemistry which they attempt to correct. They have an effect of improving mood so that one doesn't feel like killing oneself. But they have virtually no effect in improving the cognitive deficits that one experiences in terms of attention span, processing speed, short term memory etc..due to these conditions.
My sense is basically one is simply propped up to exist like a zombie rather than live in any meaningful way.
As for me, am afraid the writing is on the wall really - on top of the BP+BPD, I also have PTSD, OCD. Ironically the OCD seems to be the one that's having the maximum impact on my quality of life these days.
In addition to the cervical disc bulge, I've had pain from acid reflux for 2 years now, and a tendonitis injury I suffered about a year ago. Basically I've been suffering from physical pain every day for the last 6 years now and counting..Its ironic really, the longer I live, life seems to be supplying more reasons for me to go. My daily existence is absolutely unbearable and it's only getting worse every day..
