Bipolar Disorder

Dr. Duckworth

Is it possible to be wrongly diagnosed as bipolar......I mean, I had gone through a trauma about 17 yrs ago with my step fathers suicide and became shocked at first ( numb) then elated ( life is too short, let's live it up then!) then I became depressed.

I went to see a specialist and he told me I was bipolar after only a questionaire that I filled out ( 6 mos after the death only) and proceeded to try me on all sorts of concoctions. First was progesterone and I didn't like the effects, then was imipremene (sp?) and then the lithium with the imipremine. I was up to 4 large lithium a day and 8 imipremene before anything showed up in blood tests! But then I wanted to commit suicide!!

I found this absurd and I really felt that I just needed to grieve in my own way. YES, my emotions were intense, they still can be over things but I've always been that way. I ride them out now. My mother just passed away with stage 3b lung cancer and I felt overwhelmed and suicidal during all the events but got through it all. I just had stepkids move in permanently right at the time she fell ill, thats all.

I know I do suffer from some depression. I know rage and violence also runs in my family in the older aunts and uncles. I can't sleep during PMS especially, therefore can get very irritated but I can CONTROL where and when as I do not allow myself that behavior at work, so it can't be an imbalance right? I'm confused and never found the reason for being prescribed all those pharmeceuticals when not needed.

I must add that I do not want pills of any sort for depression or a sleep aid either.........but do you think there is a medical condition to look for in me?

Thanks for reading and any advice is appreciated!!

I believe it is hereditary to some degree.  I was diagnosed as "bipolar disorder - not otherwise specified" last March.  Before that, I was diagnosed with major depression for many years.  My hypomanic episodes have been mostly anger and impulsive decisions, not the manic stuff where you spend $10,000 in one day, for example.  My mother has depression, but when I trace back through 50 years, I definitely believe she was/is bipolar.  She used to rotate through terrible depression followed by goofy phases where she would not be able to stop chattering.  My older brother retired on disability due to depression and PTSD.  Younger brother is on antidepressants, as are we all.  My father, who is deceased, was a rageaholic.

Symptoms are mood swings that are not necessarily based on particular events; the swings can even be during one day.  It can be called "rapid cycling."  When I was diagnosed with bipolar, I was put on a mood stabilizer in addition to antidepressants, and I am better.  I don't feel great, but my lows are shorter.  If you observe mood swings that seem random, then it would be a good idea to have your kids checked out.  I wish that I had been properly diagnosed a long time ago, but I'm grateful now to be on the right meds.

Take care,

Deb