Bipolar 2 just diagnosed

[Yorkiegirlz]

I just found out that I have been diagnosed as bipolar 2. I immediately read a book on it and started searching the web. I'm having a hard time deciding if I think they diagnosed me correctly. On one hand some symptoms make Seneca but I can't remember any periods of hypo manic. I can remember the serge of energy and other things but not a specific time in my life. Just little moments. So am I misdiagnosed or in denial? I'd love to hear what others think who have gone through the same thing. Thank you.

[Yorkiegirlz]

Thank you. I have a lot of the same experiences as you mentioned you have had. I just finished a book on bipolar 2. But will check out your suggestions. I've started using the mood tracker.  Thanks for your input !

[Anneinside]

As we are not mental health professionals, and can't interview you to find out what criteria you fit in, there isn't an answer to your question here. I would suggest you keep a mood chart daily. There is one here, called a mood tracker that you could use. There are also others around the internet, some online, others that are printed out. Anyway, that could help you monitor your moods and other symptoms.

Hypomanic episodes of Bipolar 2 only have to last 4 days to "count" as an episode. It can be hard to think back and recall episodes. I know for me, I can recall individual symptoms that stand out to me, usually about spending, but I certainly can't remember all the symptoms I had at one time. One of the ones that is a strong memory was when I HAD to have leather seats in my car. My car at the time was one year old. I bought another new one (one year newer than the one I had) of the same make and model. The only differences were the color and the presence of leather seats. When I am manic or hypomanic I have an exceedingly strong need to buy something.... a car with leather seats, 25 v-neck long sleeve shirts, new siding for the house....The key to is this a hypo/manic symptom or not is the intensity of the NEED..... HAVE to HAVE it, rather than just wanting something.

It could be other symptoms that you remember... a time when someone remarked that you were talking very fast, when you felt superior to your normal feelings about yourself (I feel thin and bouncy.... I'm not). Look at the symptoms of mania and see if you can remember instances when you may have had a symptom.

Since you are researching about bipolar, I would suggest Bipolar for Dummies. It is a great book for the newly diagnosed.