I have bi-polar:

[rayray]

Whoa, I did not see this coming. I just thought I had a case of mild depression and anxiety. I've been on Paxil for 2 years. Increasing every few months. I was up to 80mg and I freaked out occasionally. You probably remembered my posts of hopelessness and lack of modivation. Last week I had a huge breakdown. Crying, feeling suicidal, all that bad stuff.
Today in therapy my therapist took me off the Paxil and now I'm going to another therapist to get a new medication for the bi-polar. It's Bi-polar 2, a more treatable case of it.
I hear that once I start the medication I'll feel better in 1-2 days, so I'm excited about that. http://community.icompact.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[rayray]

Whoa, I did not see this coming. I just thought I had a case of mild depression and anxiety. I've been on Paxil for 2 years. Increasing every few months. I was up to 80mg and I freaked out occasionally. You probably remembered my posts of hopelessness and lack of modivation. Last week I had a huge breakdown. Crying, feeling suicidal, all that bad stuff.
Today in therapy my therapist took me off the Paxil and now I'm going to another therapist to get a new medication for the bi-polar. It's Bi-polar 2, a more treatable case of it.
I hear that once I start the medication I'll feel better in 1-2 days, so I'm excited about that. http://community.icompact.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[Mistress_Of_Puppets]

Rachel, I'm glad that you've gotten help and a better diagnosis. My daughter already shows signs of bipolar - she's 8. She became an entirely different person once she started on the right meds (Risperdal).

Be prepared that you may need to try several different meds until you find the right fit.

I'm not an expert of any kind, but you can private message me anytime. I'm a good listener. http://community.icompact.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[syntheticsole]

Good luck wiTh This medicaTion! I'm glad ThaT you found The help you need.

[fall out boy love]

im sorry to hear that but at least your getting treated! ive had a few breakdowns in the past couple months and their no fun. i believe it was due to stress and working long hours. have you been under a lot of stress lately from work or home? i know it helps to get away from it for a while if thats possible. im glad the medication will work for you in such a short period of time!

[rayray]

No, no stress at all. I'm a very boring low-mantinence person. I've had friend problems recently, but I'm doing some maturing. I'm trying to occupy my time with good things. My crafts, exercising, reading and stuff.

[Buffalo]

It must be difficult to go through this, but I am glad the new therapist is helping you. If you ever need to talk, you can PM me. http://community.icompact.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[LU*]

Rachel, I'm so glad that you've finally found out what's going on. You are halfway there, girl. I hope you start feeling better anytime soon!
http://community.icompact.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[fall out boy love]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by rayray:
No, no stress at all. I'm a very boring low-mantinence person. I've had friend problems recently, but I'm doing some maturing. I'm trying to occupy my time with good things. My crafts, exercising, reading and stuff. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

What kind of friend problems? (if you dont mind me asking). I had a group of friends that caused nothing but drama and i stopped hanging out with them. i was lonely for awhile but i was better off with out them. i realized they werent true friends and it felt like a huge weight was lifted from my shoulders. those are good activities to stimulate yourself with. what kind of crafts do you do?

[ck_nd]

Good luck with your treatment.

[Peaches715]

Best of luck to you! We all think my dad is bi-polar, but he refuses to go get diagnosed which is sad. I am so glad you did go and find out what's going on, because now you can be treated

[veronickiki]

When you know the problem, you're so much closer to the solution! http://community.icompact.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Hope you'll feel better really soon Rachel! http://community.icompact.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[cutie123]

Good luck with the new medication!

[*Toothfairy*]

I'm glad they have diagnosed you correctly, now for the healing. I'm so proud that you aren't ashamed and can talk about it. It shows just how mature you are becoming! Best of luck to you, be proud of what you've done so far!

[catstyle]

I'm glad that you have gotten diagnosed and can begin your recovery. As everyone else has said, you've already won half the battle. Remember that we are all here for you if you need to talk.

[luv2dance]

Best of luck to you. I hope you find meds that work. My friend is bi-polar and the drs kept putting her on anti-depressants and it didn't help. Recently, they added Seroquel, an anti-psychotic, and a thyroid med. It's made a world of difference. So there is hope with the right diagnosis and the right medications!

[Miss Mimi]

I am so happy you are taking care of yourself. It's really hard at first I know. I have clinical depression and basically thought I was going crazy ( and drove my loved ones crazy as well w/ terrible mood swings, crying for no reason, ect.) I hope your treatment will help you out.

[gloss_junkie]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by *Toothfairy*:
I'm glad they have diagnosed you correctly, now for the healing. I'm so proud that you aren't ashamed and can talk about it. It shows just how mature you are becoming! Best of luck to you, be proud of what you've done so far! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
ITA!! It's really great that you are unashamed and able to talk about it. My sister was diagnosed as bi-polar about 3 years ago, but had problems with depression since grade school. Apparently many relatives on my mom's side have struggled with this in the past, but my mom was never open about any of this.

As Paula stated, don't feel discouraged if takes time until you find the right meds and/or dosage. For some it takes time. Good luck, we are all thinking of you http://community.icompact.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif!!

[Mz LaLa]

<span class="ev_code_BROWN">Rachel... I hope you get this all sourted out and you can start feeling 100% better.

My little brother is manic depressive and it's been difficult times to watch him deal with it. Unfortunatly they never did find the "right" medication for him, partly b/c of his age. He was younger when his doctor suspected it and at t that time a lot of doctors still thought that only adults could show symptoms of Bi-polar.

He's doing quite well these days. I have no doubt that once everything gets handled you will feel a lot better as well.</span>

[peko]

Hang in there Rachel. It might be hit & miss on finding the right dosage & medication, but look at it this way: something is gonna work & you will be better. You have an illness. That doesn't mean you're crazy . You still have a brain, for goodness sake! Those pretty flower pins & clips you make are so lovely. You can get thru this. It may take a while but it can be dealt with. I know, because I've been dealing w/it most all my life. The problem was, when it 1st hit me, it was considered being mentally ill. At least now more people accept the fact that there is an imbalance in the chemicals in your brain & you can find a solution. I'll keep you in my prayers.
You're gonna be okay!

Blessings,
peko

[USAchic]

How did you know or sense that you had it? What were the indications? What did the doc say when they told you about it?

I'm just asking because I am curious how to tell.

[rayray]

I had ups and downs. I know people with bi-polar and I know quite a bit about the symptoms. I listen to Loveline. My personality is like a rollercoaster. I mean, my moods changed constantly and I would have breakdowns where I would cry.