Bipolar Bipolar

[anthony]

This is the symptoms of bipolar. I am posting this due to the frequent confusion of professionals that seem to think that PTSD is bipolar. As you can see, there is a huge difference between the description of a manic episode and an “hypervigilant” episode (described in the PTSD threads).

Signs and symptoms of a manic episode of bipolar disorder:

• happy, expansive, optimistic mood (feeling “high,” feeling better than ever)
• alternative mood: irritable, angry, aggressive, provocative, intrusive
• impaired judgment; reckless; unpredictable
• excessive involvement in pleasurable or high risk activities, such as sex, drug or alcohol use, or spending sprees
• high physical and mental energy; increased productivity; excited; a feeling of high intelligence and creativity
• extremely talkative, rapid thoughts
• decreased need for sleep, less ability to sleep
• inflated self-importance; in some, delusions or hallucinations
• extremely sociable
• inability to concentrate; distracted; restless, impulsive
• no perception that the mood and behaviors are abnormal

A person in the manic phase of bipolar disorder rarely seeks help; the person may feel good and not recognize that anything is wrong.

Signs and symptoms of a depressive episode of bipolar disorder

• profound sadness, hopelessness, pessimism; crying spells
• low self-esteem, worthlessness
• “flat” mood: apathetic, indifferent; lack of interest or pleasure in most activities
• fatigue, lethargy: decreased energy and activity; difficulty getting out of bed in the morning
• decreased sexuality
• restless, irritable, angry, worried, anxious, guilty
• fewer thoughts and less talking; slower thinking and talking
• difficulty in concentrating, making decisions, and remembering
• social withdrawal; diminished ability to give and feel love
• drug or alcohol use
• change in appetite; weight gain or loss; loss of interest in food, even if eating more
• change in sleep patterns: sleeping more or less than usual
• suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts; life seems devoid of pleasure

People are more likely to seek help during the depressive phase of bipolar disorder than during the manic phase. This is because they recognize that the symptoms are disruptive to normal life. But some do not even seek help during the depression because they have no energy and no hope that anything can change.

 

[Anna5]

Where in the PTSD thread does it explain "hypervigilant" episode.

My first diagnosis was Bipolar took me years to prove that I have PTSD not Bipolar.

 

[Amy Jo]

I actually do have Bipolar and PTSD. Is there anywhere I can get info on this two existing together? It's damn tricky. And yes there's a huge difference between hypervigilence and bipolar episodes/moods. Complex trauma/ptsd (is it still called complex ptsd?) definately worsened my bipolar "symtoms", but I have a question my psychotherapist skirted around: When the PTSD was at its worst (I spent a year in and out of teh bin) I was having psychotic episodes and hearing voices at night--a woman and an old man. They weren't talking to me, it was like I was listening in on their conversation and it was the most relaxed and safe-feeling i've ever been. I was told that was my bipolar acting up or something like that. But I wonder what it really was. Alters? PTSD? Bipolar? Psychosis? I don't understand. Currently looking for a new psychotherapist...

 

[Kintsugi]

I have seen a good handful of close friends during manic episodes. They all manifest differently--some will be bubbly, others will seem deranged with ambition, others will go Hulk and just want to destroy everything because nothing matters and they are god. All of them held this sort of indestructible image, though, the person to end all people. I have never, ever felt extremely worthy because of PTSD! Though I have been questioned about whether or not I was ever diagnosed as bipolar. It's frustrating.

 

[anthony]

I actually do have Bipolar and PTSD. Is there anywhere I can get info on this two existing together? It's damn tricky. And yes there's a huge difference between hypervigilence and bipolar episodes/moods.

Yes, I think you would have your hands full having both, absolutely.

CPTSD... nope, not getting picked up in the DSM V, so its pretty much useless as a term, considering there is no actual diagnosis or criterion for it to be diagnosed. Not used here... dieing as it should a natural industry death. Complex trauma... very valid though.

 

[Srain]

The voices can actually be Bipolar, related meaning see your psyche dr. Have you? Meds might need slight adjustment, especially if you are under stress if you are going through a seasonal change and react to that type of thing, this should be done first. If it were DID you wouldn't be aware of the voices, if you didn't have BP then I would say just see your therapist.

In any case, considering you are dealing with such a heavy load on your plate I would suggest you have a therapist if you can at all afford it, wow, that's a lot to handle.

Good luck,
Rain

 

[Powder]

Amy Jo, if you are on SSRI's too much Dopamine can commonly cause auditory hallucinations when you lay down at night. Happened to me in my 20's. Dr. tried to add an anti-psychotic to the regime; I said, let's just ditch the cause and go off meds in the first place!

If you have Bipolar, then SSRI's are a no-no anyway. You would benefit from other treatment.

Just a thought because I don't know what you may be prescribed.

Hopefully, you find the right balance and feel better soon!

Muse

 

[Powder]

Most Bipolar people get seen for "depression" as it states above, they feel "fine" in manic states unless they have the mixed state issue a lot, in which they have tons of energy but also depression, so that they are irritable and snapping at everyone. The inflated self-image makes it easier to treat others like crap because they are so fed up with everyone not living up to their exalted self image. Obesity is also common as is spending into debt on hobbies and creative pursuits that have little bearing on anything other than their fantasies.

They usually have a magnetic personality that either attracts or repels people, but they don't have much "neutral" effect on people. I have a good friend with Bipolar who, by getting a diagnosis of just depression, although she KNOWS she has Bipolar and won't be seen for it, takes SSRI's. It has been disasterous for her family and friends, not to mention her job. She got fired from her job for crying and pouting and gossiping about her coworkers, her kids are skipping school, stealing and going off the deep end, her marriage is dead, and all her friends, including me, can't take being treated badly, so we had to get out of the way of her missiles.

I feel sorry for her, but it's her own fault for not owning up to her condition. Plus she is morbidly obese and won't do anything about it.

My sister is the one who I think has PTSD with severe DID, but gets the Bipolar diagnosis until recently PTSD after being raped yet again. She "switches" into other personalities and mood switches with them, so it does look similar to Bipolar.

Muse

 

[arcc14]

MUSE, My ex did that. He moved back to his home state and he promised me he would get treatment for his bipolar before I moved with him. But instead, he got three antidepressants (wellbutrin, lexapro, and mirtazipine) from some idiot doctor by only mentioning his depression symptoms. Within weeks of beginning treatment for depression, he'd slipped into a manic state, cheated on me, and decided that he hates me because I am the most negative person on earth. (He hates me when he's manic and does not remember that he ever loved me. He's the irritable, hateful kind.) He's still manic and still taking the antidepressants, and it's been five months. I've never seen him have a manic episode this long. He cuts me off completely for a time, then comes back. But he will send me so many messages or call so much or talk rapidly, that I know he's at least still hypomanic. Then he goes back into mania, hates me, cuts me off. It's so frustrating.

 

[nix]

Just created account here, so sorry for delayed post to this thread, but it's one that is very personal to me.

I have complex ptsd. Yes...it is a VERY real dx. Is it in the DSM....not yet. Neither were many dx's until an educated professional therapeutic community sought to distinguish them.

For a time they thought I had bipolar due to my intense, extreme mood swings....I studied bipolar for a long time seeing a stark similarity. I have 'manic' episodes that sound very much like a BPD manic episode...this is over and above typical hypervigilence. I also have such deep cold numb depression that it sounds like BPD. What is total hell is when they are both simultaneous...mixed. Now they've decided that I do not have BPD because no one in my families ever had it. That my symptoms are all part of the C-PTSD.

I see logic everywhere that states PTSD is from an event, but it cannot cause bipolar because bipolar is a result of genetics or at least a neuro- biochemical condition. Here is the question I've yet seen a sufficient answer for. What do you do with the numerous studies which seem to have proven that repeated, severe trauma in the developing brain of a child CAN and DOES result in such extreme neurotransmitter flooding that it actually changes the brain physiologically? Studies have shown reduced size/mass of the parts of the brain responsible for emotional regulation, memory, etc. They've shown that the chemicals actually have halted or damaged normal development of neural mapping in the brain. This sounds very biochemical to me. It sounds very much like the kind of condition they say is responsible for bipolar....even though perhaps the child was not born that way through inherited genes and would not have become that way until an actual 'injury' through severe trauma.

I'm asking...isn't it PLAUSIBLE that severe trauma...can cause BOTH ptsd and a disorder that looks so much like bipolar that it might as well be? Could it be a possible explanation why so many people are 'mis'diagnosed with bipolar and ptsd comorbid? Or is it a misdx at all? Perhaps singular event, adult trauma ptsd....in which the brain was already developed would NOT be able to cause such a neurobiological change....(another prime reason why C-PTSD is truly a separate class of PTSD)....but I'm curious what studies have been or will be done which might shed light on severe, repeated trauma in the developing brain causing...basically...bipolar in addition to the symptoms of C-PTSD. It seems prior studies have been quite ignored, and not taken to their fullest possible conclusions.

 

[anthony]

I have complex ptsd. Yes...it is a VERY real dx. Is it in the DSM....not yet. Neither were many dx's until an educated professional therapeutic community sought to distinguish them.

The APA have already rejected it for inclusion in the future of the DSM, clearly stating, the diagnosis has no merit as there are already existing specific diagnoses that clearly cover the areas, being PTSD + BPD / Dissociative Disorder.

CPTSD has no diagnostic criteria, it won't have any diagnostic criteria, because the APA have officially rejected it, and it will not be appearing any decade soon in the DSM.

They are looking into DESNOS as a diagnosis under the new trauma category that PTSD has been shifted to, which would adequately cover those with cross sectional disorders more specifically that are trauma based, though then the problem is people want to have that PTSD label attached for notoriety... so the sufferers are complaining already about having a diagnosis correctly fitting what is CPTSD based on trauma, called DESNOS.

If you don't know what DESNOS is, and who is behind it, then you aren't as astute with what you're talking about as you claim you are.

This thread is about Bipolar, not about you bringing a debate about what has already been debated, and CPTSD lost officially. Go read the APA and track what goes on with the DSM and you may know these things before perpetuating nonsense.