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I just got diagnosed with Mixed Bipolar today...
Hi everyone. I used this forum awhile back when I had a miscarriage but now I'm back. I was just diagnosed with Mixed Bipolar disorder today. I am having some mixed feelings about the diagnosis....relief... for past experiences...and also anxiety.... how did you find out and how did you feel at first? I just took my first dose of pills but im sure itl be awhile before they kick in. Right? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
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Hello,
Thanks very much for your comment I appreciate it. I am in therapy. Two groups, one for one on one therapy and one for domestically abused women. My exfiance terrorized me. I tried to kill myself 2 years ago and was hospitalized because of it. I take Abilify, klonopin and effexor. He was going to add a 4th but wanted to wait. What is type one bipolar like? Do you know any good self help books I could read about Bipolar disorder. I think seeing myself as having a "mental illness" just sounds so super harsh....It does explain some of my past mistakes and reallllly wild streaks as well. So the diagnosis is relieving in a way but I feel labeled... and Just my mom n dad know. Did you eventually tell friends or is it better to keep it to myself because they may treat me differently?
Thanks very much for your comment I appreciate it. I am in therapy. Two groups, one for one on one therapy and one for domestically abused women. My exfiance terrorized me. I tried to kill myself 2 years ago and was hospitalized because of it. I take Abilify, klonopin and effexor. He was going to add a 4th but wanted to wait. What is type one bipolar like? Do you know any good self help books I could read about Bipolar disorder. I think seeing myself as having a "mental illness" just sounds so super harsh....It does explain some of my past mistakes and reallllly wild streaks as well. So the diagnosis is relieving in a way but I feel labeled... and Just my mom n dad know. Did you eventually tell friends or is it better to keep it to myself because they may treat me differently?
I was diagnosed after a serious psychotic break (and suicide attempt) six months prior to asking for help. I went back to the pdoc to try to get help with my depression (I had been treated for depression for years prior to this). After talking with him, etc., he diagnosed me with Bipolar I. It's been an eye opener to say the least on why things have happened to me in the past.
I was diagnosed 3 years ago and have been on meds ever since. My meds have been adjusted a few times, but overall, they have helped me. It will take awhile to feel the effects of the meds, and you have to stay on top of how they are working by talking to your pdoc regularly. Curious - what did they put you on? I take Lamictal (400mg) and Risperdal (1mg).
Having anxiety, etc., is normal, I think. I have tons of it for re-living past mistakes, fear for what might happen (episodes or psychotic breaks), questions about how it will affect me for the rest of my life, etc., but overall, it's good to be diagnosed correctly and be getting the correct treatment.
If you aren't going through therapy in addition to talking to your pdoc, I would suggest that you do. It will help you deal with the diagnosis, understand your illness, as well as, help you with other issues.
Good luck.
I was diagnosed 3 years ago and have been on meds ever since. My meds have been adjusted a few times, but overall, they have helped me. It will take awhile to feel the effects of the meds, and you have to stay on top of how they are working by talking to your pdoc regularly. Curious - what did they put you on? I take Lamictal (400mg) and Risperdal (1mg).
Having anxiety, etc., is normal, I think. I have tons of it for re-living past mistakes, fear for what might happen (episodes or psychotic breaks), questions about how it will affect me for the rest of my life, etc., but overall, it's good to be diagnosed correctly and be getting the correct treatment.
If you aren't going through therapy in addition to talking to your pdoc, I would suggest that you do. It will help you deal with the diagnosis, understand your illness, as well as, help you with other issues.
Good luck.
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Yup, Meds take between 2 and 3 weeks to start effect for me. I am on Lithium and seroquel for bipolar 1. I also have a psychologist.
I did have a huge struggle with my doctors and having diagnosis that i didn't agree with, i do agree with the bipolar bit and almost always have. When i first went into the mental health service i was 13 years old and completely refused that my issues where in my brain or psychological, but now 7 or so years later i do party agree that my brain works differently which effects my functioning when i was finally diagnosed with bipolar i was relieved because it fits my issues i believe perfectly. i received abuse from the mental health worker in my teens ( even when showing deep depression and mixed and mania the doctors refused to treatment and just put me in a mental illness home, on tiny bits of medication here and there, i slowly got worse before there eyes and they didn't care in fact its like its what they wanted) .But i thought that when i was diagnosed i would get better but it is still a very long and interesting battle. I think it is normal to to have anxiety when getting diagnosed especially as if it was a shock and you don't know much about mental illness, but the more you learn about it the less scarey it becomes. My dad has Bipolar as well my family was pretty sure that was what i had. I got out of the mental health public service at 17 and went manic and was finally diagnosed and put on proper medication. Still disagree with the psychotic bit but i do agree i have bipolar. I have become proud of having bipolar especially when hypo-manic hehe like now as i am so amazingly creative and productive and i notice the others around me aren't, so it can be a gift and a curse.
Some of my friends know and my family knows. You do have to be careful who you tell as some people have massive stigma, so i wait till i know them better and they often say, wow that explains a lot lol. If they are not understanding as when i first got unwell i lost all my friends, then they aren't real friends, that's what i say! Labels can help sometimes because then you can have a word for what is happening to you and what you are going through and you can connect with others with the same way of thinking.
If you ever want to talk about anything, feel free to send me messages :)
Freddie.