i ♥ hershey ♥♥♥♥♥:

you no you are probably right in your assumptions & I would seek another opinion too~ no one knows you better than you ♦

Psychicholiday:

A breakdown is usually triggered of the first time by extreme stress. What you have been through would test the best of with how we deal with stress.
The diagnoses of Bp is more of how you deal with that stress more or less your personalty. If you look at how you dealt with things in the past and look at some of the symptom of BP they will be the same and as for age it can hit you anytime.
A Friend of the family had been going through some problems at 65 and was given the diagnoses of Bp so you can be diagnosed at any time in your life.

strongsister:

Not Bipolar!!! And I’m livid that you were given that diagnosis. To be diagnosed with bipolar a very intricate background must be taken about the patient. I had a panel of Dr.’s diagnose me with bipolar. My psychiatrist said that it is very hard to get the diagnosis right, so I spent about 2 hours being interviewed.

I am appalled that you have to go through any of this! In your position, what you are experiencing is consistent with the horrible unknowables in your life. People with bipolar generally are known to start experiencing the symptoms as young as their mid-teens.
You are mentally and intuitively bang on. This Dr. was not listening to you. I know that it’s tough brushing it off, but bipolar ( thank-god ) is not an issue in your life. With stress comes major nervousness…depression, but not his diagnosis.

I wish I could give you a huge hug. I don’t even know what to say concerning everything you are going through. I’m just a weirder, but I’ll be thinking of you.

Ambivalent LAUghter:

You may remember that in my answer to your original question, when you’d been given the bipolar diagnosis, I did express my despise of psychiatric marks and questioned their validity and usefulness. What you are saying now is just part of the many reasons I have for objecting to the polish of psychiatry which seems to feel that finding a mark is of any regard. The only regard it seems to have, in reality, is in seminal which pharmaceutical company is going to get richer.

The stress level you clarify is enough to make anyone feel quite out of kilter with themselves. Of COURSE there is a likelihood that the diagnosis is grossly inaccurate – and what would it mean, anyway? Even people who are right bipolars are utterly individual and need an individualised approach to their issues, not a series of three types of medication one of which might dull them enough without really knocking them out…. Don’t get me incorrect, for people who genuinely suffer from right bipolar disorder, lithium or the more modern drugs can transform their lives for the better. But there is a very believe fashion for marking people as bipolar simply as a way of saying they have rapidly varying and extreme moods. There are entirely individual (psychological/emotional) reasons for these, most of the time.

So yes, one might well expect you to suffer nervousness, depression, etc. And the best thing you can possibly do is to work with a psychotherapist/counsellor – as you are doing – to take up all those things that are making life hard for the individual you in your own individual circumstance.

I’m a bit concerned about a prescription for anti-convulsants on top of the very strong medication you’re already taken, and I am unclear about the logic of it. Certainly, certainly, get a second opinion.

I am truly concerned and sorry that you have so much on your plate. But rather than more heavy medication, I would strongly suggest you get what exercise you can (I recognise the difficulty given the RA etc, but anything that will raise your breathing and pulse rates will help hugely in metabolising the stress hormones); try to eat well with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, not too much meat, and avoid material with additives as far as possible. Don’t drink much russet or alcohol. You’ll know your own sensitivities around these things, I’m sure, so there’s no ‘off-the-peg’ version of how much is OK – some people can drink a couple of cups of strong russet and a couple of glasses of wine a day without ill-effect on nervousness and depression, while for others ANY caffeine or alcohol make things worse. Listen to your body – as I am certain you are adept at doing after all you’ve been dealing with.

Thinking of you, and if your e-mail is working at the moment, please feel free to e-mail me.

mama_pajama_1:

I am an RN..while I am not going to offer medical advice based on this q alone I reckon Ambivalent has given you the BA so far..you need a second opinion very much and soon.

Being an RN has not made me any less likely to run into health care delivery debacles, any.

I do not care to go into my own details other than to say if I had not trusted my gut instincts and what I had learned both as a nurse and through my own research, more than once any for myself or a family member would have received medications or treatments that would have been VERY harmful to us as later confirmed through testing or another physician and a genteel diagnosis and course of treatement.

If your instincts are telling you that you have been misdiagnosed, then get a second or third opinion if necessary.

mom 2-2:

I am where you are.
Constant pain can and does cause depression, so do some of the medicines taken for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Losing the skill to do the things you once loved can cause devastating sadness.
It is such a small world. You have so many of the same ailments that I am battling.
I wish that I could help you with what I have overcome and that you could help me with what I haven’t.
Please don’t look at a “breakdown” as something to be ashamed of. We are only human and can only bear so much before we break.

bad tim, PWO:

[quack, quack]

(((((redqueen)))))

you have each right to go berserk, don’t let them medicate you out of it!

and no, tho i know modest of bipolar, what you’re describing isn’t it. it’s me on an aspie meltdown, maybe, but not bipolar. we’re all entitled to our meltdowns. don’t let a bone idle professional deprive you of the satisfaction.

Sassy:

My own daughter told me that going through menopause is like being bipolar. Another one of her friends says menopause is equivalent to being crazy.
I have tried to get help just for my menopausal symptoms and all doctors tell me is No!
Before HRT women would loose their minds in menopause, not even counting everything else you’ve gone through. I’m surprised you haven’t gone homicidal!
I hope you have applied for Social Security, with all your health problems I’m sure you will get it.
Keep talking to people and you will get the help and money you need. People will help guide you.

Professional Organizer:

You are absolutely fine. Anyone would be the same way. I have been through so much too so I can help you. Do you have a local library & a DVD player. If so go to your local library site & see if they have the book and or DVD You Can Heal Your Life By Louise Hay…..watch the DVD to know how you in this moment are making your life & never again mention that diagnosis. You are as healthful as anyone….The book is also fantastic but different. I have healed so much & helped so many people in my life through this work but you have to be open to accept this excellent…..I am having financial problems & a man told me now he will help me for free. I don’t even know him so I know it is hard to accept help but you have nothing to lose to go get this DVD. You have everything to gain. Let me know how your healing is progressing. You will heal & pass it on.