I am almost sixty and suffered se ere anxiety (GAD) periodically all my life . A year ago I finally got the correct diagnosizyof bipolar 2 affective disorder. Just knowing the medicos had worked it out (at last!!!) Was a relief.I am taking low dose of Lamotrigine / Lamictal which is helping stabilise my mood. I do not abuse drugs,alcohol or live dangerously. I've worked full time all my life and am not a typical sufferer of bipolar so before diagnosis I was frightened that I had gone mad. Truly, deeply mad. My worst phazse is the hypomanic episodes as I can control anxiety and fear. I can't control the highs. It seems part of the problem is my very high j
Intelligence and a?so having been subjected to extreme abuse as a child in care homes. I never knew my parents and was raised in children's homes. Such children are classic bipolar sufferers. The oint is that it doesn't matter what route took you to bipolarity but what route you choose to balance your reactions and manage your condition. So what if your drug or other substance abuse brought you to this. There are treatment options. There is support. Just this page is a start. So what,s stopping you getting on with your life? You are. Get on with it. Start now, this moment. If you want change its inside you. Grab it.
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Hi, really pleased to hear that you have finally been given a dx that you're comfortable with. I also have a script of Bi-polar type 2, but in addition I have a dx of BPD. I was also the victim of significant trauma as a child, which apparently is linked to both diagnosis.
I also managed to live and work until 18mths ago, when I reached a major depressive crisis, combined with significant anxiety. Since then I have become totally dependent on others. I am awaiting a place on a 'complex needs' programme which will take 2yrs but will hopefully help me to regain my independence.
Frankly I have had many times when I have struggled to continue with life, but I'm still here, and am hoping that over time my condition will improve. I wish you good luck on your journey too.
I have just found this post and hoorah a positive half full kinda woman . It has taken years and years to work out my bipolar diagnosis and I have an appt tomorrow with pyschiatrist to discuss meds . I do not want to lose the essence of me and my personality as I have managed to work ,look after my family etc under tremendous strain over most of my life and while I recognise I am on the manic sidebar of the time I'd rather be that than depressed , just needs balancing and bit worried what I have to go through to get that balance . I'll will be ok though !!!!
I am waiting for my first psychiatrist appointment a week tomorrow. I suspect bipolar 2,but I'm really not sure. My highs aren't high in the sense that I feel good,I get obsessed with creative things, become very irritable if disturbed, dint need more than 3 hrs sleep a nite- sometimes less. That can carry on for months,then I tend to hit a depression for maybe a wee. That pattern goes on, sometimes for years,until suddenly I have a breakdown. Everything becomes too much, I have to stop everything, I get badly depressed, lose a lot of weight, get health obsessed and generally find it hard to cope. Does this sound familiar?