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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Bipolar II or Cyclomania?
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
Bipolar II or Cyclomania?
by Mal45, Feb 17, 2004 12:00AM
Nearly 3 years ago my husband, in his 40's, underwent some significant work stress and about a month later, he began to have impulsive anger over small things that had never bothered him before. (He had always been even-tempered)This progressed to fits of rage out of the blue, verbal not physical toward me. After 2 years of this, he had become depressed and did get a small dose RX of Prozac. He was also having sleep problems, awaking with anxiety and many thoughts. After several months, the rages were less strong and he doesn't seem depressed and finally his sleep problems are going away, but there are times when he has a highly energized happy mood and is animated, cocky, plays music loud, etc. There tends to be sexually-focused teasing. He thinks he is just happy but the energy disturbs me. He recently got agitated with someone's driving and followed them, and he can get triggered by things that he perceives as unfair or disrespectful.He has also become obsessed with working on a project,yet has several unfinished projects around the house. He seems to like start-up work better. None of these moods physically hurts anyone. In addition, he has been triggered by my anxiety, which is getting worse because of nearly 3 years of this. When he gets triggered, he rants and won't let me interrupt him and thinks his reaction is justified. There's not a real pattern of time although explosive fights don't usualy happen more than every 2 weeks.
I had thought he had a problem with anger and was depressed, but I've just learned about Bipolar II and Cyclomania, and that moods don't have to be full manic (his are more what I guess would be called "hypomanic").
I am wondering whether it sounds like he may have one of these diagnoses. I also am not sure how to approach this, if so.
I had thought he had a problem with anger and was depressed, but I've just learned about Bipolar II and Cyclomania, and that moods don't have to be full manic (his are more what I guess would be called "hypomanic").
I am wondering whether it sounds like he may have one of these diagnoses. I also am not sure how to approach this, if so.
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Feb 17, 2004 12:00AM
, Feb 17, 2004 12:00AM
I would approach this less from the point of view of diagnosis, and more from the point of view of a couple. I suggest that the two of you sit down with a therapist together and start talking about how you trigger each others response, and how to stop it. Its the best first step for what you describe.
I also know that to live inside Bipolar II is a special kind of hell. Indeed, some theorize it is a separate condition from Bipolar Disorder. It was only when the ultradian cycling/SAD/emotionally labile and/or depressed way of living was over, when Lamictal was added to my medications, that I knew what normal life was like.
Best,
Zara