How long has it been B4 you were diagnosed ? Did you have any other diagnosis ? Why did that happen?

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and ADHD in the same year, when I was 40. Before that I was misdiagnosed with major depression for many, many years.

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and ADHD in the same year, when I was 40. Before that I was misdiagnosed with major depression for many, many years. What exactly is "Bipolar" disorder?

I have days when I wake up just happy as a clam,then I have days where everything just seems to completely suck for no apparant reason. I always just assumed that this was just the depression that went along with ADD.

I have an appointment the day after tomarrow,is BP something I should ask about?

Right now I have been diagnosed for -1 month haha. Yes that is a negative... :D

The bipolar disorders are mood disorders consisting of cycles between depression (of varying degrees) and mania (of varying degrees). There is an extremely high one-way comorbid running from bipolar --> ADHD.

I have bipolar II myself, but there are several other forms that vary slightly from what I have. I was diagnosed after manifesting severe hypomania when prescribed stimulant meds (this often happens), but I had been cycling for many, many years. I just mistook my hypomania for being "increased production periods" and paid them no mind as the depressive stages were what was distracting me the most and causing me the most distress (other than those pesky ADHD symptoms that the old docs assured me were due to my major depression...*snort*).

Its a bit more complex and persistent than just having good days and bad days, which happens to everybody. The BP disorders are lifelong and progressive. If you feel its important to mention to the doctor than by all means do so! I could ramble on and not be as effective as your own doctor can be :).

I was diagnosd on Feb 19, 2007. So less than a month. I'd been to a variety of therapists, doctors, psychiatrists and in therapy for depression for nearly 30 years. One psychiatrist gave me some topamax like 2 years ago, thinking I might be bipolar, but it didn't help at all.

I started a mood stabilizer (lamictal) yesterday. It was the first appt I could get w/ my new psychiatrist after my diagnosis.

My diagnosis was always *depression* as well. I was on a variety of antidepressants which didn't help much, Paxil (gained a lot of weight) effexor (made me manic) zoloft helped me the most, but did increase my anxiety. On Jan 8 2007 I started Wellbutrin 150 xl. I have more energy but my mood has been all over the place. Currently I'm more depressed. I also take alprazolam for anxiety.

There is a lot of new info out there on bipolar disorder, Butch. You might visit http://www.psycheducation.org/ Bipolar disorder is now considered by some people, be part of a spectrum, and there seems to be a type which is mostly depression. My mania is subtle, and more seasonal in nature. In May and June, I will garden like a maniac, move plants around, buy a lot of new plants and spend every waking hour either out there planting, or if is dark, planning to plant. Not needed much sleep. So when I had to move out of my house about 2 years ago, and into an apartment (without a yard) it was really traumatic. Like my best friend died. I'm still grieving, especially now that spring is upon us.

I have been daignosied as PTSD, anxiety, bi-polar, irritable depression,dyslexia, disassociative tendancies.


I have ADHD and dyslexia. I do have anxiety related muscle spams and chest pain but I rarely actualy "feel" anxious. . . to ADHD I am told. Any way if I have chest pain or have a muscle spams that will not quit I have xanax PRN I can take to make it stop in under three days.