What symptoms did you have before you were diagnosed?
Severe Depression, Mania, Binge Eating, Suicidal Attempts, Morbid Obesity, Panic Attacks, Fear of being around people.
What events led to your being diagnosed bipolar?
I was tired of living life not knowing what was going to happen day to day. I was tired of alienating my family, friends, and co-workers. My grades were suffering and I could hardly leave the house.
I decided it was time to seek out professional help. My emotional problems and my eating disorders led me to seek out one of Tennessee's top professionals. My doctor (now of 6 years) is equipped to treat my mental, physical, and eating disorder conditions. It is only with the help of psychotherapy, medication, medical screening, and dietary adjustment that I am beginning to become somewhat normal.
This is a long hard road, that will take years of treatment, but in the end it is well worth it.
Lessons Learned
- My mother experienced the same symptoms that I did, yet she refused to get help. I should have known that her erratic behavior was a key indicator that I needed professional help.
- My mother's refusal to get help led me to believe that I didn't have a problem and didn't need help, when looking back we both needed a lot of professional help.
- My life quality was nonexistent. I was unlike anyone I knew and I just thought I had a harder time than others.
- I should have done more research, but when the symptoms started manifesting I was so young I thought it was just a part of me.
What Is Your Current Diagnosis?
Bipolar, Binge Eating Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia, ADD.
Do You Agree With the Diagnosis? Why or Why Not?
I agree with the diagnosis. Thought the list is extensive, it is not uncommon for the symptoms to manifest in conjunction with each other. Usually there is more than one issue that needs to be addressed. Fortunately, each of these conditions has similar treatments.
Additional Thoughts
My life is difficult and sometimes even overwhelming. Compared to where I was 6 years ago there is improvement, but my issues have grown over a period of 20 years so they cannot be fixed overnight. I still have a long hard road ahead, but it is worth it. Get help. There is no shame in it.
