Bipolar DIsorder?

I am confused if I have bipolar or not, I have Mania several times a year and my cognition and memory also changes time by time with my mood. I have poor memory when I am kinda depressesed  and good memory on elevated mood and mania and my intelligence , creativity etc also improves.

Doctor told me that I have Fluctuating mood and he gave me a Tetracyclic Antidepressant (Mirtazapine) and an antipsychotic Risperidone. Yes, I had psychosis . But now I am avoiding my doctor's advice and taking only antidepressant and my memory/cognition is improved. But I am very little mania type now. But I am not sure to call it a mania cos everybody around me is like this.

I dont have good memory and cognition when I am taking both antidepressant and antipsychotic. SO I chose only antidepressant.

Can you explain all of this?

[LLFgirl]

Well, I can agree with you that taking only an antidepressant helps your memory improve. I used to take some anti-psyc drugs for bipolar and it made my cognition worse. I would talk to your doctor and continue working with him to figure out the best combination for you.
Regards,
LLF

[arcircle5339]

Ya, antidepressants improves memory and antipsychs makes it worse. Do you think I have bipolar disorder?

By the way ""I would talk to your doctor ..........""  Means?

[LLFgirl]

Like I say I don't know if you have bipolar or not. I would talk to your doctor means that if you have a lot of questions you might want to see your doctor that's all. It's just a suggestion if you think he can help.

LLF

[Crystlas]

Sounds like classic bipolar disorder!  Our cognition changes with our moods.  I think totally differently when I am up or when I am down, it is scary to me how my brain functioning changes like that!  

[adel_ezz]

My poor opinion i have been dx BP because of mania and i am skeptical about it.
what i can tell right now is that tricyclics are in my view the reason for your mania. they bring mania for BP patients and i read it everywhere. it brought mine at least. usually BP tolerate welbutrin. my modest experience never take AD without mood stabilizers otherwise you will oscillate between mania and depression
ezz

[Lizz67]

I take a mixture of medications for my BP and have been able to hold down a professional/technical job for years. Sometimes I feel a little slow, but there's no evidence of that in my life. Psychosis is very dangerous and can ruin your life.  I'd recommend finding a doctor you like and work together.

[arcircle5339]

Ya, A-Depressants can cos Mania and it happened to me before. But before when I was misdiagnosed and was without ADs I had mania several times lasting 3-4 days. But in winter I can certainly say that I will have mania and it will last for about 15 days, and that looks like SAD but it shouldnt be.

I am currently on Mirtazapine - A TETRAcyclic AD. Last month I had mania and my cognition was at extream but with psychoses. And now the doses are halved without Anti-Psychotics and I am OK now. But my memory is not well as before four years ago or in the last mania.