Hello everyone:) Just a quick question. Do any of you experience feeling hyper at times. Like all worked up, burst of energy, and a hard time sitting still or getting to sleep? Is this a symptom of ptsd? I do feel a bit low at times too but who wouldn't dealing with this challenging disorder. Thanks for your input.
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Feeling Hyper At Times And Low At Other Times?
- Post starter Lee2001
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O
Ollie
Im like this too, i have high cortisol and adrenaline readings done by my dr - could expain why i feel full of energey one minute then feeling low and tired the next.
Have a dr check your cortisol levels, simple early morning blood test or 24 hour urine.
Have a dr check your cortisol levels, simple early morning blood test or 24 hour urine.
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O
Ollie
Mine has been high for a while now ive been refered to a endochrinologist, there was suspicion i had a tumour but turns out to just be a swollen gland (so they say) it was there one scan not the next but yet the scan results before when it was picked up was expsined in detail to where it was growing (autonomic nervous system) vegal nerve, and all my symptoms are breathing, digestion, cognitive, nerve pain related but the recent radiation scan i had shown nothin, but also a month later i have a huge hernia growing out my stomach so not sure how nothijg was picked up yet i look like im in a alien film with my stomach.
Do you suffer with high blood sugar at all? Or weight gain in areas like the neck or waist, high blood sugar can be a symtom of high cortisol as it draws the sugar storage out of the liver and dumps it in to the blood, could also be why your full of energey then crashing.
Just a thought mate.
Do you suffer with high blood sugar at all? Or weight gain in areas like the neck or waist, high blood sugar can be a symtom of high cortisol as it draws the sugar storage out of the liver and dumps it in to the blood, could also be why your full of energey then crashing.
Just a thought mate.
VioletButterfly
Diamond Member
Yes, I have stress induced Cushing's Syndrome. Exhausted all day, then at 9:00 or 10:00 p.m . I'm ready to get up and go. Different chemicals affect it too, like caffeine or aspartame. Also, blood sugar will impact it. Hoping you find some answers.
You can have both, though. In addition to having PTSD, I'm Bipolar Type II. In my case, that basically means that most of what I experience is depression, sometimes mania but "hypomania", which is just less severe than a typical full-blown Bipolar I manic episode, and then these experiences of "mixed" episodes - that is when I feel manic and depressed at the same time, and it is actually very very important to be aware, if you are experiencing this. In my case, it means I'm depressed enough to want to harm myself, AND, instead of being too tired and sitting like a lump, the bit of mania kicks in and I actually have the energy to plan and follow through and all that.
Like @Lee2001 says
that is a perfect description of my hypomanic episodes.
I'm not saying its definitely one or the other - that would be the domain of a doctor and/or therapist, but many people do have co-occurring psychiatric illnesses.
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I'm not familiar with Bipolar enough to distinguish its DSM criteria and separate it from PTSD's. Of course comorbidity is a problem.
Having both over a long period, however, is noted for extremes in behavior. By all means share all information that may prove helpful but don't expect or intend a new Dx from one symptom. If that were the result, I'd be suspicious of the clinician.
Having both over a long period, however, is noted for extremes in behavior. By all means share all information that may prove helpful but don't expect or intend a new Dx from one symptom. If that were the result, I'd be suspicious of the clinician.
@Muse - It is certainly true that one symptom does not make a diagnosis. But I'm a little concerned here about the general confusion of Bipolar I and Bipolar II, and the fact that these are two very different illnesses.
I want to make it very clear to Lee, and anyone else posting and reading here, that Bipolar Disorder and Bipolar II Disorder are NOT the same illness. Bipolar Disorder is a very serious condition and needs to be taken as such, but so is Bipolar Type II. Bipolar one, Muse, you're absolutely right about extremes of behavior being one of the most prominent features of Bipolar Type I. The lack of the hallmark extreme manic episodes of Bipolar I, which is more generally known just by the name Bipolar, is something that creates difficulties in understanding and diagnosing Bipolar II.
Bipolar II is a scary, insidious, underdiagnosed, and undertreated illness - particularly for those with other diagnoses like PTSD/ other anxiety disorders, and depression.
One symptom I forgot to mention in my previous post is something called "rapid cycling" - this means that your mood can go up and down very quickly without warning, sometimes multiple times in one day. Sometimes over a week. Everyone's experience and timeline is unique, of course. It is similar to having mixed episodes. It's difficult to treat. But keep in mind the fact that the extreme polarities of behavior are less notable in Bipolar II. In general - though this isn't always the case - the depression is dominant and you have to look for hypomanic episodes, which are less extreme than the manic episodes that are a hallmark of Bipolar I, and almost never present in Bipolar II. In fact, that's one of the main differences in the DSM - hypomanic, aka "less" manic, episodes are part of Bipolar II. Major manic episodes generally land you in the realm of plain old Bipolar Disorder.
Currently I take some meds that are less traditional mood stabilizers and low-dose antipsychotics - yes that sounds ominous but it is just the same as any psychiatric medicine and a first-line treatment for Bipolar II. Has worked quite well for me (especially in comparison with antidepressants) and very much helps my severely disturbed sleep. Some of the antipsychotics can make you quite sleepy, so there are some meds that are 'traditionally' prescribed twice daily to treat, say, schizophrenia, but one larger dose at nighttime can be helpful with Bipolar Type II. Everyone's different.
It did seem to me that @Lee2001 was referring to a cluster of symptoms, not just one symptom, but perhaps I misunderstood the post. Of course, do not walk into an appointment announcing you've diagnosed yourself and what treatment you think would be appropriate. But I'd go in, list the symptoms, see what the doc says and then, if you still have concerns about a specific disorder that the doctor has not addressed, ask.
I hope you figure this out, Lee. It's a rough road. If you'd like to know more about my personal experience with Bipolar type II, PM me, otherwise you can look Bipolar II up online for more general info.
I want to make it very clear to Lee, and anyone else posting and reading here, that Bipolar Disorder and Bipolar II Disorder are NOT the same illness. Bipolar Disorder is a very serious condition and needs to be taken as such, but so is Bipolar Type II. Bipolar one, Muse, you're absolutely right about extremes of behavior being one of the most prominent features of Bipolar Type I. The lack of the hallmark extreme manic episodes of Bipolar I, which is more generally known just by the name Bipolar, is something that creates difficulties in understanding and diagnosing Bipolar II.
Bipolar II is a scary, insidious, underdiagnosed, and undertreated illness - particularly for those with other diagnoses like PTSD/ other anxiety disorders, and depression.
One symptom I forgot to mention in my previous post is something called "rapid cycling" - this means that your mood can go up and down very quickly without warning, sometimes multiple times in one day. Sometimes over a week. Everyone's experience and timeline is unique, of course. It is similar to having mixed episodes. It's difficult to treat. But keep in mind the fact that the extreme polarities of behavior are less notable in Bipolar II. In general - though this isn't always the case - the depression is dominant and you have to look for hypomanic episodes, which are less extreme than the manic episodes that are a hallmark of Bipolar I, and almost never present in Bipolar II. In fact, that's one of the main differences in the DSM - hypomanic, aka "less" manic, episodes are part of Bipolar II. Major manic episodes generally land you in the realm of plain old Bipolar Disorder.
It is extremely difficult to diagnose, especially when dealing with multiple illnesses... Mine came about partly because not one single antidepressant in one single class ever relieved my depression. That's me. Sometimes, antidepressants can throw those with Bipolar into strikingly bad manias. For me, they just didn't work.
Currently I take some meds that are less traditional mood stabilizers and low-dose antipsychotics - yes that sounds ominous but it is just the same as any psychiatric medicine and a first-line treatment for Bipolar II. Has worked quite well for me (especially in comparison with antidepressants) and very much helps my severely disturbed sleep. Some of the antipsychotics can make you quite sleepy, so there are some meds that are 'traditionally' prescribed twice daily to treat, say, schizophrenia, but one larger dose at nighttime can be helpful with Bipolar Type II. Everyone's different.
It did seem to me that @Lee2001 was referring to a cluster of symptoms, not just one symptom, but perhaps I misunderstood the post. Of course, do not walk into an appointment announcing you've diagnosed yourself and what treatment you think would be appropriate. But I'd go in, list the symptoms, see what the doc says and then, if you still have concerns about a specific disorder that the doctor has not addressed, ask.
I hope you figure this out, Lee. It's a rough road. If you'd like to know more about my personal experience with Bipolar type II, PM me, otherwise you can look Bipolar II up online for more general info.
Is there a Bipolar II or just Bipolar forum that you find helpful? I should look into that because part of my personal trauma history is due to my other family members with Bipolar disorder. I think having some closure could help me, maybe.
Sometimes, I talk fast or probably appear a little wound up or intense. This is due to caffeine and trying to build myself up to feel more powerful to get a task/goal done. I soon crash back down even more tired. I believe that PTSD and adrenaline and cortisol can create what might be mistaken for Bipolar states, but are not that. Which is why a Psychiatrist is the one to consult for accurate diagnosis.
My point is that feeling up and down is very subjective. The behavior is what I think others can see a pattern of that would help lead to a diagnosis. When a Bipolar person is manic, supposedly, they don't notice, but others often do.
When my family is in a manic period, they contact me excited to take a leading role in something they are not even close to able to actually do. They feel they have found their calling to save the world in some way. It now makes me sad since I see what it is. And it comes from a good place. They truly want to help people and solve world problems. I had a Bipolar friend who often applied for jobs she wasn't a fit at all for. There seemed to be a lack of reality checking in mania. Not just energy and drive. More drive without steering to go with it. That is just my own personal observation. It's not just a lot of energy. It's really a familiar kind of energy that nobody but my BP friends and family have that I would be hard pressed to put to words today with my headache. It's hard to be around them when they are like this because they see a reality check as a knee to the groin. There is nothing you can say that is right other than "lead on brave king/queen!"
I believe that life is a particular flavor of struggle, for those with various disorders, and from the outside, it's usually marked only by how it affects them. So I only see how living with a family line of Bipolar women has affected me, including how it contributed to my having PTSD from the lack of safety or honesty.
I feel some anger toward Bipolar itself due to it causing my mother to try to kill us, because I guess I blame her Bipolar for not believing my sister and I, since I read that mothers who don't believe their daughters when they disclose sexual abuse will usually have a mental health and/or other behavior health problems that are not being treated. That was true in my case. I should ground myself in further education on this and not blame a disorder.
Sometimes, I talk fast or probably appear a little wound up or intense. This is due to caffeine and trying to build myself up to feel more powerful to get a task/goal done. I soon crash back down even more tired. I believe that PTSD and adrenaline and cortisol can create what might be mistaken for Bipolar states, but are not that. Which is why a Psychiatrist is the one to consult for accurate diagnosis.
My point is that feeling up and down is very subjective. The behavior is what I think others can see a pattern of that would help lead to a diagnosis. When a Bipolar person is manic, supposedly, they don't notice, but others often do.
When my family is in a manic period, they contact me excited to take a leading role in something they are not even close to able to actually do. They feel they have found their calling to save the world in some way. It now makes me sad since I see what it is. And it comes from a good place. They truly want to help people and solve world problems. I had a Bipolar friend who often applied for jobs she wasn't a fit at all for. There seemed to be a lack of reality checking in mania. Not just energy and drive. More drive without steering to go with it. That is just my own personal observation. It's not just a lot of energy. It's really a familiar kind of energy that nobody but my BP friends and family have that I would be hard pressed to put to words today with my headache. It's hard to be around them when they are like this because they see a reality check as a knee to the groin. There is nothing you can say that is right other than "lead on brave king/queen!"
I believe that life is a particular flavor of struggle, for those with various disorders, and from the outside, it's usually marked only by how it affects them. So I only see how living with a family line of Bipolar women has affected me, including how it contributed to my having PTSD from the lack of safety or honesty.
I feel some anger toward Bipolar itself due to it causing my mother to try to kill us, because I guess I blame her Bipolar for not believing my sister and I, since I read that mothers who don't believe their daughters when they disclose sexual abuse will usually have a mental health and/or other behavior health problems that are not being treated. That was true in my case. I should ground myself in further education on this and not blame a disorder.
Gs172003
Diamond Member
My aunt is supposedly bipolar but I've never seen how. I've never seen her in but one mood and the woman has worked one. ONE job in her life not because she can't...but because she's that danged lazy. I don't understand her diagnosis.
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