Getting diagnosed with bipolar disorder?

[SadLoser]

Basically some days I feel like i'm the greatest thing to ever happen in the universe. I spend hours looking in the mirror, admiring myself, to the point I lose sleep over it. I see everyone as being beneath me. I have grandiose delusions, but I don't want to get into what they are.

Then the next day, 2 days later, sometimes a little more, I search up suicide methods. I spend the entire day in bed because I have no energy. I can't step out of my house because I feel absolutely hideous.
Then I have a few inbetween days sometimes when I feel normal-ish.

This is a textbook definition of bipolar disorder, right?
How would I go about getting diagnosed? I think I would cringe hard saying this to a doctor. I never went to a doctor with mental problems. How can I phrase this without coming off as a huge jackass?
Would I receive medication that would make this better?

 

[logan]

That certainly sounds like BPD.

Lithium is supposed to help best - but of course that has side effects like weight gain.

But you have to decide that together with the doctor.

You will most likely not be admitted to a clinic - as long as you have no acute CTB plans.

 

[SadLoser]

Lithium is supposed to help best - but of course that has side effects like weight gain.

Damn, really? I can't think of anything worse than gaining weight. Is there any way to avoid that?

 

[logan]

Damn, really? I can't think of anything worse than gaining weight. Is there any way to avoid that?

Not really …

 

[Apricity]

That certainly sounds like BPD.

Lithium is supposed to help best - but of course that has side effects like weight gain.

But you have to decide that together with the doctor.

You will most likely not be admitted to a clinic - as long as you have no acute CTB plans.

Ugh, lithium was the worst. Weight gain for sure, but also mental sluggishness and lack of energy. I felt like a zombie. If they wanna give you lithium, tell them hell no. There are other meds that work just as well without making you feel like the walking dead. I ended up on Trileptal for the last 13 years. It works stabilizing my mood, but it will make you drowsy until your body gets used to it.

 

[logan]

Ugh, lithium was the worst. Weight gain for sure, but also mental sluggishness and lack of energy. I felt like a zombie. If they wanna give you lithium, tell them hell no. There are other meds that work just as well without making you feel like the walking dead. I ended up on Trileptal for the last 13 years. It works stabilizing my mood, but it will make you drowsy until your body gets used to it.

Lithium is associated with severe side effects - some tolerate it well others very poorly.
It is the only drug that has a balancing effect.
But every drug has its pitfalls ...

 

[Apricity]

Lithium is associated with severe side effects - some tolerate it well others very poorly.
It is the only drug that has a balancing effect.
But every drug has its pitfalls ...

Lithium is the most prescribed, but not the only one out there. There are many effective alternatives to lithium.

 

[SadLoser]

Ugh, lithium was the worst. Weight gain for sure, but also mental sluggishness and lack of energy. I felt like a zombie. If they wanna give you lithium, tell them hell no. There are other meds that work just as well without making you feel like the walking dead. I ended up on Trileptal for the last 13 years. It works stabilizing my mood, but it will make you drowsy until your body gets used to it.

Lithium is associated with severe side effects - some tolerate it well others very poorly.
It is the only drug that has a balancing effect.
But every drug has its pitfalls ...

Lithium is the most prescribed, but not the only one out there. There are many effective alternatives to lithium.

I thought the point of medication for Bipolar Disorder was so I can feel energetic or at least normal always, instead of either feeling really hyper or not being able to get out bed?

Also if I get prescribed lithium, can I just say no?

 

[logan]

I thought the point of medication for Bipolar Disorder was so I can feel energetic or at least normal always, instead of either feeling really hyper or not being able to get out bed?

Also if I get prescribed lithium, can I just say no?

Lithium is the only medication that can cushion the ups and downs of many sufferers.
But it is still associated with side effects that vary in severity.

Nobody can force you to take something you don't want - except maybe in a clinic.

 

[SadLoser]

Nobody can force you to take something you don't want - except maybe in a clinic.

But will I be offered something else?

 

[logan]

It depends on your doctor.
Otherwise, there are really only drugs that lighten the mood or bring you down.
That is the special thing about lithium.

 

[Apathy's Girl]

You have a right to whatever you put in your body. If you get diagnosed with bipolar do your research before taking any medications and see what alternatives are out there.
Seroquel is a mood stabilizer for both depression and manic episodes. Lamotrigine is another mood stabilizer, more for depression. Latudia is also for depression. Take meds specifically for bipolar disorder as some regular antidepressants can cause manic episodes.

 

[SadLoser]

You have a right to whatever you put in your body. If you get diagnosed with bipolar do your research before taking any medications and see what alternatives are out there.
Seroquel is a mood stabilizer for both depression and manic episodes. Lamotrigine is another mood stabilizer, more for depression. Latudia is also for depression. Take meds specifically for bipolar disorder as some regular antidepressants can cause manic episodes.

So those won't make me put on weight, unlike lithium?

 

[Apathy's Girl]

Seroquel can cause weight gain but weight gain really isn't associated with lamotrigine or Latudia.

 

[Gaybonez]

That certainly sounds like BPD.

Lithium is supposed to help best - but of course that has side effects like weight gain.

But you have to decide that together with the doctor.

You will most likely not be admitted to a clinic - as long as you have no acute CTB plans.

Anti epileptics are actually.

 

[sadbadpsychogirl]

i have 3 or 4 seperate bipolar diagnoses... all bullshit! but if you think you really have it get a few different opinions

 

[Worndown]

Bipolar is not the end if the world. With proper care, medications can reduce or even eliminate the swings. Getting proper help is most important. Balancing meds comes next. Taking those meds regularly is the last and sometimes hardest piece of this puzzle.
Remember what untreated is like and that should provide motivation to get treatment.
My ex refused treatment and it was the ruin of her life.

 

[Alwaysbadtime]

Meds don't make people fat. Food does. Just don't start eating a ton.

 

[lost_soul83]

Basically some days I feel like i'm the greatest thing to ever happen in the universe. I spend hours looking in the mirror, admiring myself, to the point I lose sleep over it. I see everyone as being beneath me. I have grandiose delusions, but I don't want to get into what they are.

Then the next day, 2 days later, sometimes a little more, I search up suicide methods. I spend the entire day in bed because I have no energy. I can't step out of my house because I feel absolutely hideous.
Then I have a few inbetween days sometimes when I feel normal-ish.

This is a textbook definition of bipolar disorder, right?
How would I go about getting diagnosed? I think I would cringe hard saying this to a doctor. I never went to a doctor with mental problems. How can I phrase this without coming off as a huge jackass?
Would I receive medication that would make this better?

Sounds more like borderline personality disorder to me.

 

[CleosAsp]

I was diagnosed 9 years ago. I've tried many meds before finding what works for me. The first thing to know is that everyone is different, and what works for one person might be the most awful medication for another. Most people go through a lot of trial and error before finding what works.

Having said that, almost all antipsychotics, and antidepressants, cause weight gain for most people. Geodon and Latuda seem to be the most weight-neutral for most people. In my experience, Latuda seems to either work wonderfully or horrifically for many people. I personally will not ever take it again.

This is what I take: Lamictal (lamotrigine), and Wellbutrin. I take Geodon only if I feel I am getting manic. None of these make me gain weight. I refuse to take anything that does.

I do, maybe twice a year, need to take a stronger antipsychotic if Geodon doesn't work. When that happens I have to take Zyprexa. But be careful, it's one of the worst for weight gain. And I mean massive amounts. It's not uncommon to gain 50 lbs in a year. Yes. 50. I only take it maybe twice a year, and no more than 3 days. My reasoning is I can't really gain much weight in only 3 days.

My psychiatrist understands my reasoning for what I will, and, will not take. He works with me. I absolutely love him.

There used to be a great website called crazy meds. I'm not sure if it's still around. But it has more info than anyone would ever need to know about psych meds.

You get diagnosed by a psychiatrist or psychologist. Only a psychiatrist can prescribe meds, though. They are actual doctors. Psychologists are not doctors.

Bipolar disorder is a very hard thing. It sucks. Big time. But, I do have to admit that I am much more functional and stable with meds and counseling.

Good luck with everything. My biggest advice is that if you get a psychiatrist who you do not like-- for any reason--don't hesitate to fire them and find another. I fired my psychologist after seeing him for over 4 years.

Meds don't make people fat. Food does. Just don't start eating a ton.

Most antipsychotics actually screw with your hormones and then cause metabolic syndrome, which DOES cause weight gain. This can be managed by diet and exercise, but it's extremely difficult, if not impossible, for many people.

I tend to agree with you about, with most meds, it's more a matter of lifestyle choices. But antipsychotics are an entirely different thing.