About to be diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder

UKTigerlily

The thread title is what got me, *About* to be, sorry but it took me until I was 28 to be diagnosed, with symptoms from 14 & seeing Dr's about my mental health from 20. Lots of people decide they have BP, but many don't. You *could* have it of course, but it will take years to be diagnosed & even then when you see a Psychiatrist, you often get the SHO's, who move every 4-6 months & then you get a new one & have to begin again & get to know them, it's a nightmare!

Ames

Totally agree with UKTigerlilly. I first started having problems at 13, first saw a psychiatrist at 15 who diagnosed (without telling me or my family) borderline personality disorder, fell out of the system till I was 22, was diagnosed bipolar, fell out of the system again a couple of years later, then a year or so after that found myself in the system again. For about a year I saw a different SHO every time, diagnoses switching between BP, BPD and both together. Finally saw my current consultant, who has diagnosed some cyclothymia but not enough for a bipolar diagnosis, along with affective and anxiety syndromes. Today saw a psychologist for the first time, I asked to be referred 5 years ago and it was rejected, most recent referral has taken since last November.

There's nothing 'soon' or 'about to be' about mental health. Even 'diagnosis' is a bit of a woolley term!

UKTigerlily

Ames wrote: »

Totally agree with UKTigerlilly. I first started having problems at 13, first saw a psychiatrist at 15 who diagnosed (without telling me or my family) borderline personality disorder, fell out of the system till I was 22, was diagnosed bipolar, fell out of the system again a couple of years later, then a year or so after that found myself in the system again. For about a year I saw a different SHO every time, diagnoses switching between BP, BPD and both together. Finally saw my current consultant, who has diagnosed some cyclothymia but not enough for a bipolar diagnosis, along with affective and anxiety syndromes. Today saw a psychologist for the first time, I asked to be referred 5 years ago and it was rejected, most recent referral has taken since last November.

There's nothing 'soon' or 'about to be' about mental health. Even 'diagnosis' is a bit of a woolley term!

Wow very similar, I was diagnosed with Borderline PD @ 26 & Bipolar @ 28, but even now I question am I *really* Bipolar? There had been a question mark over it for years & one Psyc wondered about Cyclothymia also, but then they increased some antidepressants I was on, which sent me hypomanic & my CPN was there & saw me & said there's no way I was putting it on it was definitely an episode. But even though she'd seen it & it was after the meds were increased, they still had many years of history & accounts of how i'd been

I'd just forget labelling & let them decide & in their own time, you don't want an incorrect diagnosis & as others say, those symptoms can be normal behaviour too, or symptoms of other things

Ames

I'm hypomanic now, my GP and psychiatrist both agree, and the psychologist nodded his head when I told him my symptoms. But because it's only hypomania and it'd only lasted a few weeks last time I saw my psychiatrist she said it's not enough to change the diagnosis.

To be honest, I don't really care what name they give me. I'm ill, and I'm getting treatment for it, I'm getting help and support for the first time in 15 years and that's all that matters at the end of the day.

UKTigerlily

Ames wrote: »

I'm hypomanic now, my GP and psychiatrist both agree, and the psychologist nodded his head when I told him my symptoms. But because it's only hypomania and it'd only lasted a few weeks last time I saw my psychiatrist she said it's not enough to change the diagnosis.

To be honest, I don't really care what name they give me. I'm ill, and I'm getting treatment for it, I'm getting help and support for the first time in 15 years and that's all that matters at the end of the day.

& you are always welcome to join other Borderline people in a chatroom/forums run by a bpd charity with tons of help n advice, pm if needed!

starnight_2

UKTigerlily wrote: »

The thread title is what got me, *About* to be, sorry but it took me until I was 28 to be diagnosed, with symptoms from 14 & seeing Dr's about my mental health from 20. Lots of people decide they have BP, but many don't. You *could* have it of course, but it will take years to be diagnosed & even then when you see a Psychiatrist, you often get the SHO's, who move every 4-6 months & then you get a new one & have to begin again & get to know them, it's a nightmare!

That sounds so like me, started having problems at 14, didn't start seeing anyone til I was 20. I was only diagnosed bipolar last year after a MAJOR episode and I wasn't even on meds at the time, so that was 6 yrs after starting to see the psych.

skipsmum

Hi,
I was diagnosed with bipolar yesterday after a week in hospital. It was really unexpected so I am struggling with it.
Im a regular on MSE so I was really lucky to find an actual thread of people who have it. I would really appreciate any thoughts from people who have it but have managed to go work or look after their kids because right now Im finding it all very hard.
x

starnight_2

Hi skipsmum

I'm a 27yr old single mother, I was diagnosed bipolar last April. Since then I have went back to work part time in April just there. Of course I also look after my DS. Although I have struggled I have also found working helps me as I enjoy it and enjoy where I work. I'm lucky to work somewhere and with people who understand my illness. I know it may seem hard now, but take one thing at a time and only work if and when you feel ready. People may feel let down by their local mental health facilities but there is help out there.

Don't be afraid to acknowledge that one day you need help and another not. The first thing my team done with me was work out a symptoms list. Things that will help me recognise when things get bad. Then below that is an action plan depending on what help I need. So the first step is talk to friends or family, this may sound hard right now, and I know I felt liek I never wanted to bother my family. But they would rather know than not know so they have the chance to help you, sometimes if I'm starting to feel really down I find that just having tea or coffee with a friend helps.

As I said I only work part time and I know myself I couldn't work any more hours than I do as I still really struggle to get through the week sometimes. If you feel like you want to work just take it at your own time, if you are working is there anyone in work you could talk to to make them aware of how things are for you. I found sometimes people just knowing means I don't have to worry so much.

Hope your feeling ok

Starnight
xx

elfen

Rikochet and what the hell was wrong with my post. Answered ya damn question, and said how I knew about it. What's wrong with that eh?

Also, there's no *about* with diagnosis. With MH disorders, there's no "you have" or "you haven't" got something. You may have elements of more than one disorder (as many do, I have elements of three and a specific diagnosis of two, but am medicated more harshly for the second as it is overpowering) , you may only have specific elements of one (leading to the firm diagnosis) which may take time.

I started hearing voices when I was 13. I started being depressed around the same time. I got my diagnosis when I was 25. 12 years is a !!!!ing long *about* isn't it?

endoftheroad

I was Diagnosed in 2000, I didn't know what it was, then BOOM!!! Bipolar is one hell of a condition which I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy, but if you have it the harsh fact is you HAVE to learn to deal with it and this above all takes time and experience. For all you Beepers out there, I have to recommend you get hold of the Book, Living Well with Depression and Bipolar Disorder by John McManamy. Find it, Read it, it will help!

Keep well Flowers