I'm confused

[mandapanda928]

Now I know this is a question I should ask my therapist I have seen a couple therapists and the only diagnosis I've gotten is mood disorder nos. I've thought I've always had add but am not going to dianose myself. I'm not asking for a diagnosis from you guys just an opinion and maybe if you've expeirenced some of the same symptoms.I've been a nervous wreck lately because monday I saw my therapist and I could not look in her in the eye or pay attention , or I would space out and just talk without really being aware of what I was saying because I couldn't pay attention. I felt like a weirdo because my head was hurting so bad that day , and that is why I couldn't really look at her or focous well , I think. Yesterday I had racing thoughts and was very anxious and hyper , just felt like I needed to be doing something , or like I could just go out and do whatever I wanted , I noticed that when I was talking to my boyfriend I didn't want to stop talking it felt good to just talk and talk and talk , I felt full of energy.I have had very suicidal thoughts in the past , but not for a very long time. I am on 75mg of lamictal and 20mg of prozac. My mom has bipolar , I have thought I may also have it but am not sure, because if I am why isn't the lamictal helping slow me down? I could have signs of add , like hard time concentrating and sitting still but that could be a million things . This is weird because I used to have all depressive symptoms , now I feel opposite , maybe starting to surface? Idk help?

[starlight77]

First off, you need to see a psychiatrist for a proper diagnosis, not a therapist. Second considering that your mom is bipolar, as someone mentioned above, and you are having mood swings (suicidal to hyper- most likely hypo-mania) you are probably bipolar. You're young still, so that is probably why you got the diagnosis of mood d/o NOS. If you were diagnosed when u were feeling suicidal they probably gave you that diagnosis suspecting that you would evenutually have a high episode since its in your family and would then change your diagnosis to bipolar. they tack NOS (not otherwise specified) on the end of diagnosises when they are still unsure of the real problem.
I'm bipolar and started off having major depression episodes too, so they put me on every anti depressant imaginable and they did nothing. finally a psychiatrist that my dad saw (who is also bipolar) specialized in bipolar and diagnosed me with bipolar 2 and put me on lamictal. 75 mg of lamictal is a very low dose so i wouldnt give up on it yet. It's a good medication with little side effects (be careful of the rash tho)- but I'm on 500 mg of it now. I'm rapid cycling and med resistant so I've had to have med dosage adjustments throughout the years but since I was put on Lamictal. my first mood stabilizer, I havent had to get off. However, there are other mood stabilizers- lamictal is the primary med they prescribe when they suspect bipolar 2 disorder tho. They tend to give lithium to bipolar 1 patients more often. Hope some of this helps. :)

[mandapanda928]

Thank you, and i will do that, it's beet a big problem of mine

[Life360_Dave]

I think your right. Talking to your boyfriend there were feelings involved. Todays world has become very impersonal with texing and stuff and believe those with talents, as yourself,  who want to express themselves, are forced to hold it in. Besides what your doing now, maybe try to be around more loving people. I know that when im with the wrong group i get very frustrated but when im with the right people i feel i have something to give. Pick your friends, dont let them pick you.
You be just fine.

[mandapanda928]

my therapists have always just sat and judged me and examined me , my boyfriend never does that. But yesterday when i was talking to him i just felt like i had a burst of energy and wanted to go on and on , i was so hyper, i controlled it, but it was hard. I feel like a lot of times therapists make things bigger than they are which gives me severe anxiety when it could just be anxiety. Not saying im not bipolar because i 100 percent could be. I just don't think they actually take the time to really know for sure. you know?????

[Life360_Dave]

One thing you said was interesting, that you felt good talking to your boyfriend and had a lot of energy. I wonder what the difference talking to him and a theraphist is. What do you think the difference is, why did you feel good?

[mandapanda928]

ok thankyou so much. i feel a little bit more like im on the bipolar side also , i think that it makes the most sense . My moms takes tegratol and says it comletely helps , maybe i should try it again now that im older and have more symptoms. Ill run it by my np and therapist. hopefully they can help, sometimes they are not helpful at all. I think i may need to find a different therapist. lol Thankyou again.

[nursegirl6572]

Hey manda.  I know you're looking for some input, but I'll say that of course, the very best person to assess and dx you would be a psychiatrist.  They are the best people to give an accurate diagnosis.

I'm going to post common symptoms for each disorder, so you can compare.  This is a tough one, because many of the symptoms are the same or very similar.  

FIRST...adult ADD:

Adults with ADD/ADHD often have difficulty staying focused and attending to daily, mundane tasks. For example, you may be easily distracted by irrelevant sights and sounds, quickly bounce from one activity to another, or become bored quickly. Symptoms in this category are sometimes overlooked because they are less outwardly disruptive than the ADD/ADHD symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity—but they can be every bit as troublesome. The symptoms of inattention and concentration difficulties include:

*“zoning out” without realizing it, even in the middle of a conversation.
*extreme distractibility; wandering attention makes it hard to stay on track.
*difficulty paying attention or focusing, such as when reading or listening to others.
*struggling to complete tasks, even ones that seem simple.
*tendency to overlook details, leading to errors or incomplete work.
*poor listening skills; hard time remembering conversations and following directions.



Ok, now the symptoms of BPD:

Symptoms
Bipolar Symptoms
The primary symptoms of bipolar disorder are dramatic and unpredictable mood swings.

Mania Symptoms
Mania symptoms may include excessive happiness, excitement, irritability, restlessness, increased energy, less need for sleep, racing thoughts, high sex drive, and a tendency to make grand and unattainable plans.

Depression Symptoms
Depression symptoms may include sadness, anxiety, irritability, loss of energy, uncontrollable crying, change in appetite causing weight loss or gain, increased need for sleep, difficulty making decisions, and thoughts of death or suicide


I think that with BPD, there are more "emotional" symptoms.  My unofficial opinion would be more of a bipolar disorder than ADD, especially considering that your Mom also has it.

You definitely want to get in to see the doc to clarify this, as it's important you're on the right meds for the right conditions.  As I'm sure you know, Lamictal is often used to treat BPD, so if that's what you're dealing with, that particular med isbn't working like it should.

Let us know what's going on!