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Bipolar or Depressed?

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Do you know what bipolar is exactly? And what types of bipolar do doctors classify and diagnose? Learn more basics about bipolar disorder here....

Bipolar meds affect depo shot ?

Self medicating bipolar disorder

nervousbuthopeful

February 7th, 2010

I've been in therapy for about 3 1/2 years now. About two years ago I visited a psychopharmacologist and he diagnosed me with bipolar disorder. However, my boyfriend's mother is also bipolar, though it is rather severe, and I have to admit, some of her symptoms, such as extreme mania, are not present in me. I am now with a new pharmacologist, who also believes I have bipolar. My therapist on the other hand, believes I have depression. I am taking Abilify and Zoloft, which seem to be working, but I want to get one diagnosis. I used to feel frequently depressed, although I am prone to mood swings, but I have never had any of the more known signs of bipolar like extreme paranoia or believing I'm someone I'm not. Any thoughts?

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guitargirl

replied February 7th, 2010

There's a lot of different types of bipolar, I've never had extreme paranoia or think I'm someone I'm not but I still believe I have bipolar. http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guid e/bipolar-disorder-symptoms-types
This website might be helpful.

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kimbervee

replied March 16th, 2010

Diagnosing Bipolar from Regular Depression?

I have also been diagnosed with bipolar, but just placed on an antidepressant (pristiq - which is the has been wonderful!) and I as well dont have a lot of the problems that my mother, who has been diagnosed with bipolar has had) but I think that it's harder for one thing to maybe identify the problems your having because they seem normal to you...or atleast justifiable and also whats not to say its going to get worse with meopause or age- if I did become manic it would be nice to have an idea of an origin or cause so I could get help without a lot of the guess work? I also think awareness is half the battle. If you know what you're capable of it probably makes it easier to avoid certain behaviors and maybe even notice some signs that things maybe escalating into mania if you don't take action and notify your doctor for a solution.

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	Tags: Bipolar, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, diagnosis, symptoms, abilify, admit, about bipolar disorder, signs of depression, depression bipolar

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