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At 44, I was diagnosed with ADD or possibly bi-polar after one visit with a psychiatrist. My regular doc thought I was depressed and referred me as I had started bulemic behavior after relapsing in a 12 step program for food addiction. (Long story short - lost 115 lbs, kept if off for 2 years, put back 50lbs in months) Hey, you'd be depressed with that amount of weight gain, too. The thing is, I wasn't otherwise depressed. I had an eating disorder. The psych agreed that I wasn't depressed and said I had either ADD or bi-polar. All this after one visit. I've been getting treatment for the ADD but the excessive eating is still there, though not as bad and the purging has stopped. Lately the compulsive eating started getting worse and my psyche thinks I also have bi-polar as there are often times co-morbidities with ADD or ADHD. The thing is, I am rarely in a depressed mood, especially around people. And I can't say i've had a manic episode. In fact, I don't know what that really is. He seems to think that my taking on big home projects, (like planting 1400 bulbs) is hypomania. Do any of you think it's hypomanic? I think it's cuz I love tulips, irises and lilies and have a big back yard. However, I recognize that I planted so many because I couldn't choose between the various colors and had to have them all. That was last fall. Then last weekend what started out as painting and making curtains for a room turned into pulling up the linoleum tiles and buying pergo flooring and of course since I'm doing one room, I might as well do the next room that flows into to it....OK, so a small project blossoms into a huge production and I don't ask for any help. I am a confident enough woman to take on flooring and painting, and drywall, etc. Hey, my mom re-tiled her bathroom when she was in her 60s. it's in my blood. Is that a manic episode? Feeling like a superwoman? Or isn't it ok to just look at is as a way to make my environment nicer on a limited budget. Nowadays, I just don't know anymore.
I will say this, too. I find that I want to cry all the time. the feeling just comes up out of nowhere, or I'll think of something, maybe a disappointment from the past, and I just start welling up. Is that a sign of bipolar? OR depression? I don't think I'm depressed when it happens. Actually, it's usually kind of freeing, like I'm releasing old, pent up energy. And most people say I'm the "cool" one, so I definatly don't go into rages. So, I'm confused about this diagnoses. Any suggestions would be helpful.
I am awaiting on an official diagnosis for BPD: I have a meeting with a psychiatrist in mid August.
This is what I can tell you about BPD:
Mania wears many hats. It can fill you with tremendous euphoria that manifests itself as deep empathy for those around you, the music you are listening to, or nature herself. It can also be a very strong clarity of thought, mental dexterity, and intellectual productivity. At times, that Mania can be a sense of anxiousness, irritability, and a sense that you are being powered by a powerful generator.
I have found that I feel that way sometimes. I have begun to chart my mood swings. Friday--Monday, I felt on top of the world. I felt very interpersonal, charged, and happy. My head was swimming with good feelings. Tuesday, I crashed hard. I felt like I was in a fog...I felt sort of empty and drained.
It sounds like one of the core reasons why you have your doubts about this diagnosis is because it was made after just one visit.
I believe you're onto something here. Many doctors are under pressure, not only to do a good job, but to see as many patients as possible, because more patients means more revenue. It doesn't mean that they are selfish and evil, it's just that a medical practice is both about medicine and about business. I'm a CPA and have a number of clients who are doctors with their own medical practices.
The doctor that you saw may have been absolutely right. But he/she may also have been in a hurry. Why not seek a second opinion and present both sides of your feelings and actions - the interpretations that may be indicative of BP and the interpretations that may be attributable to an energetic person who doesn't get enough rest and therefore burns out from time to time?
For example, just because you think big doesn't mean you're manic. But combined with other factors, it may give one reason to do further research.
And for that matter, why not attend weekly therapy sessions with a licensed social worker so this person can get to know you a great deal better?
One thing I know without doubt - you do not want to start the route of psych meds unless you're confident in the diagnosis.
