Bipolar Anyone else also dealing with bipolar disorder?

[Caterpillar]

I was wondering if anyone else here is dealing with both Bipolar Disorder and PTSD. I've had people ask how I'm so certain of my co-morbid diagnosis because there's some overlap in symptoms, but I had Bipolar before I developed PTSD, and the two feel very different and separate to me. Dissociation is the primary problem I have with PTSD right now (along with flashbacks) and that's not something that ever happens to me as a result of Bipolar.

There are other times the symptoms intertwine and worsen each other, though. Flashbacks have triggered depressive episodes for me, and it's sometimes impossible to tell which disorder the depression is stemming from (probably both?). I also find that dealing with the rapid mood changes saps a lot of energy, which leaves me with fewer resources to deal with the PTSD. Sometimes paranoia feeds the two together, PTSD starting it and the Bipolar twisting it into delusions and really disordered thinking. That's definitely one of the worse pairings.

If anyone else is dealing with the same pairing, how do they interact and how do you cope? Do you stay on meds for the Bipolar, and if so do you find these effect the PTSD symptoms at all?

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

I have bipolar disorder and they can interact. Anxiety can start or make depression worse.

I take medications and they have changed my life so I can actual have a life. I am not sure how much my medications for bipolar disorder and mood stabling have helped PTSD but I am sure it probably does or at least makes dealing with PTSD easier.

 

[Caterpillar]

I did notice that a side-benefit of taking daily anti-psychotics for the Bipolar was that they seemed to also prevent flashbacks. I don't feel I really need them anymore, but it was nice to have that effect for a while.

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

The biggest thing I noticed with my anti-pyschotics was how much clearer my mind is.

 

[Caterpillar]

I'm glad the APs clear your mind, Ayesha. Some people have problems with them having the opposite effect. I'd hoped they would clear up the crazy, paranoid thinking I have to live with a lot of the time, but sadly they didn't help much with that for me (maybe the PTSD is making the paranoia more treatment-resistant?) They ironically seemed to help my depression more than my paranoia and delusions. I still use them PRN for the depression since I can't take anti-depressants.

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

Well, at first it caused some bad no emotions at all thinking but that got better with time.

I can't take antidepressants either. Lithium really helps with my bad (mostly seasonal) depression, it's my wonder drug.

 

[open eyes]

I have Bipolar I with rapid cycling as well as PTSD. I agree with you- they feel very separate in my mind, with the exception of dissociation being kind of an overlap. Originally I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder & Depersonalization Disorder (a dissociative disorder). I think my dissociation is more tied into the PTSD, but I also dissociate during manic & hypomanic episodes.

I take lithium & lamictal for bipolar, & buspar & risperdal for PTSD related symptoms. The meds for Bipolar definitely make me a lot more stable, which makes dealing with PTSD symptoms a lot easier.

 

[Go Hungry]

Yes. I have the combination. My bipolar meds have greatly improved my life, to the point of actually being able to deal with the PTSD somewhat. Without them I can't see how I would ever have the control necessary to deal with this thing.

 

[roaminggnome]

I have both Bipolar and PTSD. I had PTSD first then in my early 20's my Bipolar showed up. Then a massive trauma made my PTSD severe. I take Abilify, Depakote, Xanax, and Cymbalta. I was on lithium for years but came off of it last August due to side effects. My pdoc is still switching around my medicatioins. I wonder if I'm still overmedicated or even need an atypical antipsychotic drug after all. The Depakote has helped with my anxiety to the point where I almost don't need to take Xanax.

My symptoms from both Bipolar and PTSD overlap each other to some degree. But I definitely can tell the difference from PTSD when I'm in a Bipolar high or low. The Depakote also helps me sleep. If I don't get the right amount of sleep both are worse.