Am I Bipolar

[nailit]

hi guys, please forgive me if this post sounds a bit disjointed, have had a few beers.
Its been suggested in previous posts that I might be a bit bipolar, please read previous posts for any info. Ive never been diagnosed as been bipolar. At the moment im taking mirtazapine for depression/anxiety and have never considered myself as been bipolar. However, in the last two days ive slept a total of 6 hours...4hrs friday night and only 2 hours last night (2am until 4am) and at the time of typing feel wide awake despite having consumed 18 units of alcohol. Another time that would put me in bed for a couple of days.
The last couple of days I have been consumed with doing a car boot sale, which ive done today and made over 300 pound (and thats excluding the hire of a van) with stuff ive collected over the last few months (but thats another story, ive ALWAYS been able to make money when needed), but im now just as worried about loosing it all now as ive done in the past when ive had money to the point of sleeping rough, (or in prison).
Ive had months of feeling 'normal' and then a few weeks of feeling 'depressed' to the point of suicide and then days when everything is actually ok. and then the cycle starts again (with varience of days weeks and months)
My 'depressive' cycles are ALWAYS attributed by the mental health proffesionals to my alcohol intake but for gods sake why wont they listen? I drink to cope with my emotions, NOT my emotions are CAUSED by my alcohol intake? Am so tired now, but at the same a bit wired, would just love to go asleep.
Am on a dongle thats nearly ran out but will pick up any replies ASAP.
Thanks guys.
(PS, Mirtazapine has been a great help since last year but beginning to feel ''adjusted'' to it, if that is possible?? (addicted?)

[Buenchico]

While there are loads of possibly 'dodgy' resources on the internet (which I'd advise steering well clear of) there also several sites that host the well-respected Goldberg questionnaire, which seeks to examine the likelihood that an individual has bipolar disorder. (NB: While 'likelihood' is a useful guide, it's definitely not a diagnosis in itself!). This site lets you get a result from the 12 simple questions involved:
http://counsellingresource.com/lib/quizzes/bipolar-testing/goldberg-bipolar/
(I see that there's also a link to the 'tri-axial' test, which I've heard of but I know nothing about).

[pixie373]

The important thing with bipolar, is that there are manic episodes too- hyperactivity, impulsiveness, a feeling of everything being great/achievable- often lasting a matter of weeks. Do you get those too?

[anneasquith]

nailit. it's interesting you say bi-polar has been suggested on this site ? do you not think health professionals may have diagnosed this condition?

[jourdain2]

Hi, not sure if I can help you to a diagnosis, but I lived with a man for 10 years and he was eventually diagnosed bi-polar (after his behaviour had become so impossible - he threatened to kill me, and tried - that I left). It took a long time. 'Depression' was the diagnosis for so many years. The crucial question is 'Do you have the 'manic' episodes when all is well and achievable, no matter what it takes?' If not, it may well not be bi-polar There are many different types of illness, of course, and I understand completely about the alcohol being needed to cope - his behaviour caused me to go into depression and 'yes' I drank to help me cope. If you've been on the same drug for a year you really need to push your doctors - possibly just turn up at a specialist unit? Don't know the protocol, but I do know that you need help, soon. Try hard to take charge and get help. Good luck!

[wolf63]

My biggest trigger for a manic episode is the inability to sleep at all for a good few days.

Think about this all clearly when you are sober ~ at present drinking excessively is your biggest enemy. The Mirtazapine seems to be an SSRI which is the same 'type' of antidepressant that I am on.

Go to your doctor and talk to him/her. It took 15 years for me to get a diagnosis and, sometimes, I regret the diagnosis more than the illness. I am on Lithium which has turned my brain into mince and screwed up my memory and ability to think logically. The good news (for me) was that I had to give up working.

There used to be the Bipolar Fellowship but they changed their name - have an inkling that if you google "Bipolar Fellowship" you will find them.

Welcome to the Twilight Zone (I got 47 on that test - is that a pass?)

[pixie373]

I scored 25 on that test, which also indicates bipolar (which I'm not).

[nailit]

Many thanks for replies guys. I was 'under the influence' when I posted this, sorry. I just feel so up and down at times and drink to try and achieve some equilibrium, just want to feel some kind of normality. As I said in my post I did a car boot sale but the days leading up to it I felt hyper, like it was a 'big thing' rather than just the chance to enjoy making a bit of money from other peoples cast offs. And afterwards still felt a bit hyper and looking to what I can do next to make my next 300 quid. Had trouble sleeping last night again with racing thoughts but now feel on a bit of a come down.
My probation officer has got me an appointment with a shrink this week so see what transpires.
Many many thanks to all that took the time to reply.

[pixie373]

Best of luck, nailit. I really hope you get an answer. In my experience of clients with bipolar, their highs and lows are very extreme and last for a matter of weeks (maybe 12?) without let-up. It's not a matter of days. However, let us know how you get on xx

[Bathsheba]

Best of luck from me too, nailit.
Incidentally, Mirtazapine isn't an SSRI.
What dose are you on?

Baths
x x

[jourdain2]

I wish you very well. You've made a start. Hang on to it, whatever you do (and it will be difficult at times). My 'partner' was not typical and worked up to episodes over days, even weeks, but then the episodes were over in about a fortnight - although once it was about a month. To begin with, the time could be measured in days. You may not be typical, but it can be solved and give you a decent, contented life. Hang on to that and really, really hang on to the
experts and be honest. Drink is a depressant - say that to yourself, it makes you feel worse and complicates things. I found that telling myself that I would not have a drink before, say, noon, for a week and then stretching it hour by hour worked. Not suggesting you give up altogether, I enjoy a drink (I live in France, cheap wine!), but it is a question of you being in control. You will fail at times - but that does not mean that you won't win the next time. Bonne chance!

[nailit]

Thank you Pixie. It is only days at a time so I really dont think im bipolar, mood swings are a bu99er at times....

[nailit]

Bathsheba, I thought that mirtazapine was a ssri? Am on 30mg.

[nailit]

Thank you jourdain.

[anneasquith]

nailit, please ensure you keep the appointment, and take heed of what the professionals advise, ( whether you like what they are saying or not ) :)

[Bathsheba]

No nailit,...it's a NASSA....


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirtazapine

[Tilly2]

Apparently it's a Noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants (NaSSAs) A class of psychiatric drugs used primarily as antidepressants.

[nailit]

NASSA? So thets why people call me a space cadet then? ;-)
anneasquith, will do.
Thanks all.

[Bathsheba]

Yep nailit......you're bang on there ;)

x x

[nailit]

lol Bath. Been called worse over the years.

[RATTER15]

I have little experience of working with people with bipolar, from what I know, Pixie is absolutely spot on, especially

//The important thing with bipolar, is that there are manic episodes too- hyperactivity, impulsiveness, a feeling of everything being great/achievable- often lasting a matter of weeks. Do you get those too?//