What symptoms did you have before you were diagnosed?
The symptoms I had were not sleeping much and some mild racing thoughts. I also could go with out food for hours sometimes days at a time. For awhile I lived on coffee and cigarettes.
What events led to your being diagnosed bipolar?
My then husband and I got into an argument. We had been at a football game and had many cocktails. When we got home he started the argument about that he wanted a divorce. I totally lost it. He had been seeing another woman and he chose that day to tell me on top of the alcohol. I was a mess. I stopped eating all together and when I did eat I vomited.
My daughter forced me to go to our family doctor who gave me an antidepressant to calm me. When I began taking them...my racing thoughts got worse. I did not sleep at all and still did not eat. I was just NOT hungry.
I went back to the doctor and told her my symptoms. She prescribed a mood stabilizer on top of the antidepressant and said "Congratulations, you are bipolar." Come to find out she has a stepson who was diagnosed as bipolar also. I exhibited most of the symptoms he had exhibited. I was in total disbelief. I made an appointment with a psychiatrist that she recommended, went through testing, and came up with the same diagnosis.
Lessons Learned
- First of all, I have learned a lot about interpersonal relationships and happy that that man is my EX-husband. I am embarrassed that I ever married him.
- Looking back, I had many symptoms dating back to high school years. I firmly believe that bipolar lay "somewhat dormant" through my early twenties to mid-thirties and that the fight with the ex brought all of it to the surface. I almost wish that the early years somebody, even me, would have known what to look for. My mother says she feels so guilty that she did not notice my symptoms.
What Is Your Current Diagnosis?
I am completely medication compliant now and am actually scared that something will happen if I miss my dosage. I have been diagnosed somewhere between Bipolar II and Cyclothymic Bipolar.
Do You Agree With the Diagnosis? Why or Why Not?
Yes I agree, although I believe that I am more bipolar II than the cyclothymic.
Additional Thoughts
I have family members that have embraced this "illness" that I have and are willing to help me try to understand it. They watch for cycles that I am going through and if they are bad, they suggest I head off to the Dr to make sure that my meds are correct. I also have family members who don't.
