scared

[cazzan]

Im in my mid 50's now and i think i may be bipolar.  During a really bad marriage breakup earlier this year, I think I had an episode, i say i think because it was my normal, but much worse, i couldnt deal with the games being played and just went into hyper, since then i can't settle anywhere, I have had to move lots over the last year, and every time i repack i move back into a very fretful place.  i can't handle any kind of responsiblility, money, job, i can't be relied on.  I am really frightened of being diagnosed for fear of what it will mean.  My grandmother and my father had demetia too!  Tell me is it better that i know I have bipolar, does it really help knowing?  I have struggled all my adult life on and off anti depressents, and have been known to decorate a hallway in a day, this break up has blown my mind, i just can't adjust, think straight, understand, remember things, its like being in post traumatic shock and im very weary now.  Sometimes i just don't want to go on.

cazzan

[Seph1212]

I'm not so sure that the ADs are any less dangerous than the mood stabilizers...I might even think more so...and don't get me started on the novel "anti-depresants" (anti-psychotics) or the intrusion of big pharma in doctor's and patient's thinking.

But I also think it's a double edged sword...for so long genuine BP went undiagnosed and treated as depression or self-medicated. In the long run this was more harmful. But then now, I think BP has become trendy and over diagnosed...it's the new black (ADHD).

[gonzal13]

Get at least three opinions. The meds for bi-polar disorder are very danger as to side effects. I was mis diagnosed with it for 5 years and then refused to take the meds. I was kicked out. The next doctor said I only had a mild case of depression.

[hurting007]

From my experience with BP and knowing a lot of people who do, not through medical education:
I hope you are on medical insurance, that should be something that you do first is make sure you have mental health coverage.  Then I would say something to your family doctor about what you suspect and why.  He will most likely refer you to a psychiatrist for review and diagnosis.  Most likely you will be put on depression medication.  Be advised that depression medication alone probably won't help and sometimes pdocs put you on a medication that won't help bipolar to see if you are bipolar.  There is no test for having bipolar, it is a matter of observation, trying meds, etc.  Most likely the pdoc will also require you to see a therapist also as medication alone isn't considered helpful.  Sometimes many medications will be tried before the right one(s) are reached, and then sometimes after your body adjusts to that medication, different ones will need to be tried.

The main reason for diagnosis is for medicating purposes so that you can have some control over the swings.  For people who still have trouble functioning in the ways you describe (which aren't abnormal), then in some circumstances the person might be able to apply for disability.  If you can't afford the medication, you can discuss that with your pdoc.  Pharmaceutical companies have programs for people who can't afford medication.  Also, some pdocs will get samples for patients who can't afford the meds.

[lotuspond]

darling i hear your are suffering a lot and i feel for you . I have been their i am in my late forties and my whole life had the same taste as yours. First of all you can stop worrying about dementia. yor symptoms is not a precursor to dementia and secondly dementia and bipolar diagnosis are not related in any way. As for your question  i beleive you should maybe get over the fear of being diagnosed because what about the feeling of anxiety and pain everyday? We all had at some point to face that there is something there that is not functioning smoothly and it involves a lot of pain or at least upheaval. personally i think that your symptoms indicate bipolarity eventhough at the moment you are suffering anxiety and depression-it is part of the disorder - especially when you face such a stressor. Now for your core question. DOes it help to know? Yes if that means taking proper medication to help you feel better function better etc. Having said that i am almost every week asking myself about the value of medication and whether they robbed me off my specialness etc. But then i remenber all the years that i was getting off medication only to go on again because of the results inflicted the quality of my life-functioning etc that at some point were overwelming...that is my personal opinion and by no means an objective or professional one that should in any way upset you or direct you as if it was an authority writing it....