Bipolar Depression

I've just been diagnosed as bipolar, but I find myself questioning it.

I've always thought I just had PMS or "pmdd" as they call it when it presents in the more severe form.

Every month I cycle from one week of really bad depression to very excited/happy for a week, with two weeks in between where I'm "normal" feeling.

I've just spoken with a psychiatrist for the first time, and she says it is bipolar. She said PMDD/PMS doesnt include mania.

My "mania" only seems very pronounced for four days or so. During that time I talk fast, laugh a lot (at inappropriate times, even), clean/work a lot, sleep less, feel great. Sometimes it's almost embarrassing because I can't settle down.

I wrote this a long time ago, and it describes a typical "manic" day for me.

But, my question is, does this sound like mania or hypomania, or just happyness after a crappy week of depression?

http://www.ubersite.com/m/45361

According to the bulk of info I have read (and I've read quite a bit) the general diagnosing of Bipolar I is that you have to have manic symptoms that last a minimum of 4 days and cause disruption in your daily life and/or be so significant that even other's question your mood and/or behavior for a minimum of 4 days.

You don't however, have to have every single manic symptom. You do have to have a majority of them.

In that yours comes over a period of what seems 2 weeks a month and otherwise you feel "normal". I would think it may be hormone related myself but then I am not a psychiatrist or a medical doctor.

If you question the diagnosis then you may want to seek a 2nd opinion and/or see a GYN for some hormonal tests if such exist. At least get the GYN's thought about it.

I know hormones can mess up a bipolar's med effacy (not sure how that is spelled but mess up the way the med's work), blood levels, and such. You might seriously want to consider that 2nd opinion if you really question it.

What you describe does sound like bipolar symptoms, which are probably triggered by the hormone changes or pms. But it sounds like you are experiencing hypomania (less severe) rather than mania. Do you ever get these mood swings at other times than the monthly cycle?

A true test will probably be whether bipolar medication helps you or not. Has your doctor suggested anything?

I am not a physician, so I am just going by my own experience and that of others with bipolar. If you have any doubts about this psychiatrist's diagnosis, getting a second opinion couldn't hurt.

Good luck, and let us know how you make out.

Lynne
Author of THE BIPOLAR DEMENTIA ART CHRONICLES

I've felt mania (if that's what it is) at times other than post-pms.

This whole week I've been feeling anxiety. I feel like I'm going too fast, and I keep trying to tell myself to breathe and slow down, but I can't.

I'm making silly mistakes since I'm too frantic to pay attention to detail.

I'm talking a lot and fast.

However, I feel a sense of doom, depression and hopelessness.

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I totally understand what you are going through