Advice before doctor visit

[HelplessFather]

Hello all,

I just wanted opinions and advise on Bipolar Disorder. I have not been diagnosed with it but do believe it may be what I have. I haven't been to a doctor (not counting ER visits and Urgent Clinics) since I was 14, I'm 22 now. I have extreme anxiety about going this Friday because I am not used to talking to a doctor.

for the past 3 years, I have been having on and off depression episodes that last around 3-6 weeks. They start of mild and get worse as the weeks pass. I have self doubts, I get over emotional, angry about being sad- your typical depression. I put myself down, I have no motivation, I can't focus or concentrate, etc.

after a certain amount of weeks (it is never the same), I will randomly become happy (elated) and want to do everything. I have racing thoughts, I become determined to complete anything and everything no matter what, I become restless (go off of about 1-2 hours of sleep a night), irritable with everyone (I get mad at the drop of a pen), and I sometimes hear and see things (maybe lack of sleep?) but even with no sleep, I feel amazing. This can last anywhere from a few days to a month or two.

I also make bad decisions when I'm in the gooenmoods.

[Bubulous]

That's good.  It sounds like you have a good dr who is looking out for you.  I don't have any experience with Celexa but a lot of people on here and the depression forum do so if you have any side effects or questions just ask someone.  Let us know how you are doing.

[HelplessFather]

Doctors went pretty good. He spent 40 mins with me going over current, past and family medical issues. He said from the sound of it, it sounds like anxiety and depression but since anger is involved also, he is pretty sure it is bipolar.

since I haven't been on medicine at all, he wants me to start simple to see if simple helps any. 20mg of celexa for 2 weeks and then a check up Apt to see how it is going. He said if I have no improvements, he will get me to a psychiatrist and proscribe me something more.  

[HelplessFather]

Thanks for all the replies, you all.

Mine just really started acting up these past few years. I'm hoping this doctor visit can start me on a road to stability. I am now going to the doctor today, here in a few hours. I had a bad night last night. I couldn't sleep, was so depressed that I couldn't talk any motivation into myself and my paranoia was out the roof. The doctor said he rather me come today than Friday.

I will let you all know what he says!

[weaver71]

I would ask for a suggestion of CBT therapists who is knowledgable about bipolar to see, in addiction to you MD visits. You will have to be your own advocate. There is no one treatment for "the polar," I call it bipolar order, not disorder. I have yet to meet 2 people with the same diagnosis and same treatment that works. Keep coming back and tell us your doctor's opinion and we will give us yours, then you can make up your mind as to how to cope. Just my opinion. It is good you are seeking help, mine became more intense as I aged, now I am finally learning skills to actually manage it, instead of explaining it away or ignoring it. Keep us posted.

[Bubulous]

Yes it does sound like you have got the polar.  That is a funny thing I heard a medical tech say one time.  She told her mom "mom, I think I got the polar."
I hope you come back on here to learn more about it when you need but for now...
Just tell the doctor what you said here.  It is also a good idea to keep track of your moods and behaviors by either journaling or using a mood tracker like the one on here.  Sometimes when you have been down for a while it helps to look and see that all the days were not bad.  Plus it is getting to be colder weather and seasonal depression hits a lot of us.
That being said I would like to know what the doctor says and I hope you come back and let us know how it went.

[jessmockingjay]

That does sound a lot like bipolar, so I'm really glad you're seeing a doctor. Be as honest as possible at your appointment! Tell them about both sides, the elated mood and the depression.

[jessmockingjay]

That does sound a lot like bipolar, so I'm really glad you're seeing a doctor. Be as honest as possible at your appointment! Tell them about both sides, the elated mood and the depression.

[HelplessFather]

Good mood*, I make bad decisions. Sometimes I steal, I may go off verbally at someone, spend money I dont have or even hurt myself on accident thinking I am all powerful.

What do you guys think? Any certain things I should do to prep for the doctor? Anything I should ask him? I am very in experienced at doctor visits. I just don't know what may be going on but my friend said maybe Bipolar because of things I've done in the past.

i did end up in the ER a few years back because I got crazy and slept with my girlfriends friend, started screaming at myself, broke my hand punching something and stormed off into the night. My friend says it was a manic episode?