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Suggest Treatment For Bipolar Disorder And Depression

Posted on Sat, 15 Apr 2017

Question: I am 46, Female. in my late 20's I was diagnosed as "bi polar and manic depressive" and put on a combination of lithium and Prozac. I only took those for a couple of months, because they made me feel shaky and jittery. I know for sure my rages were hormonal and my depression is because I had a very sad childhood..I am not what I would call bi polar...I do have two different personalities...and I am 100% sure I have ADD. I went to the Psychiatrist who gave me the meds and a Psychologist who I thought had no right to even try to understand me. I need help. I am 100% functional, have worked since I was 15. But always feel like something is about to give and I will lose my mind. I hate the way I feel. I hate feeling so angry. But if you ask anyone in my life/family they will tell you I'm so kind and sweet and caring..ugh.

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Ask for re-evaluation if needed

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM

I can understand your concern. The diagnoses of Bipolar disorder or ADD Are made on the basis of detailed history of symptoms and mental status examination. A lot of symptoms of both these conditions overlap. Impulsivity can be seen in bipolar disorder as anger outbursts while it is a common symptom in bipolar disorder.

Most of the times especially in psychiatric conditions once a diagnosis is made a lot of doctors don't bother to reevaluate the patients.

So if you have any doubts that you have ADD and not bipolar disorder then you could ask for reevaluation or take opinion of a different doctor. You are 46 and are functioning normally in social domains so there is no harm in evaluating yourself again.

What are your main symptoms? Why are you consulting a Psychiatrist?

Do you have symptoms continuously or occurring in episodes?

Any symptoms like hyperactive behaviour?

Any symptoms like elevated mood, big ideas in brain or tall claims?

Any risk taking behaviour?

Please provide me more details of the symptoms in follow up. Find a new doctor for evaluating yourself again.

Thanks and Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (25 minutes later)

My main symptom is a constant feeling of doom. I worry when I'm falling asleep about horrible things happening to the people I love the most. I see detailed awful, horrific images of bad things happening to them. I am in a constant state of worry. I have these weird attacks that start in my right ear, to my jaw, down my throat to my stomach. They last from 1 minute to 5 minutes, depends on how I can control my breathing. I told my primary care Dr but she said I just needed less stress in my life. now my daughter has the same exact 'attacks". Mine started around 28 and hers to, now she is 30. I tend to drive aggressively when I'm feeling this way, and that is NOT me. My friends and family call my alter ego XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
The symptoms suggest anxiety disorder.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again, thanks for providing details

The symptoms you have mentioned don't point towards bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder has different symptomatology. The symptoms like constant feeling of doom, feeling worried while falling asleep, anticipation about bad things happening to your closed ones etc suggest more towards Anxiety disorder or Panic disorder. These symptoms are also not of ADD. ADD too has different presentation.

These symptoms could be leading to anger outbursts or uncontrollable anger. This is the reason you are feeling angry. I'd advise you to take opinion from a different psychiatrist.

Thanks. You are welcome to ask follow up doubts.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar