Undiagnosed Ptsd Or Bipolar?

[CaptainRandom]

Hi, Witnessed child murder never told anyone / too scared.
I have suffered mental health issues from a young age and been diagnosed as bi-polar. When I was diagnosed I never mentioned the murder and wonder if it is correct. I am interested if anyone has an opinion on the differences between bi-polar and PTSD? All the symptoms of PTSD seem to match how I feel and act.
I can recognise in myself that some of my irrational fears are based on this event and are planning to see a consultant. Any thoughts or experiences would be appreciated.
Cheers!

 

[Alfarata]

I've got a therapist friend, who serves as my defacto therapist for now, who asked me if I thought I was bipolar. I replied that I didn't discount it, but I didn't really think so. She went on to explain that I probably am not bipolar, but it was worth asking because the symptoms can be similar to PTSD. If I were you, though, I'd be curious to hear from someone with a lot more education than myself.:)

 

[Barberian]

PTSD can not be diagnosed on a forum, or by checking off symptoms on a web page. I encourage you to see a counselor/therapist that is trained in diagnosing PTSD. Beware of the general practitioners of therapy.

Bipolar and PTSD do share a lot of common symptoms, along with OCD, ADHD, and several others. That is why I suggested a trained professional, I'm not trying to be glib or dismissive.

I hope you are able to get the counseling and/or help you need.

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

I have to agree with the others here.

I have PTSD and Bipolar disorder. Both are serious health problems and need a good doctor's help.

Take care of yourself.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

Hi and welcome:)

I agree with the others. It is better to get help from a trained proffessional. Wishing you the best possible outcome.

 

[CaptainRandom]

Many Thanks for all your comments, they have been useful to me. I will pursue seeing a professional and see what happens.

 

[cjf2010]

I was misdiagnosed as being bi-polar and given a lot of medications that only hurt me more than they helped me. I would go back to a therapist and tell them everything and get a proper diagnosis. You only hurt yourself more if you have no idea what is really going on. The treatments and symptoms of these two disorders are not the same in quite a few ways. I was finally diagnosed with PTSD instead of bi-polar disorder and now can actually say I am making progress in managing my symptoms better. :)

 

[valley_peace_gal]

I have been diagnosed with bi-polar2 as well as PTSD. The symptoms can be different. It a good thing to see a doctor and get an exact diagnoses and on the right meds. I wish you well!

 

[doglover]

At one time I was being treated for bipolar with psychosis but I stopped my meds (with a doc's knowledge) and didn't have the symptoms anymore - so I think I was misdiagnosed.

Agree with the others here, that your best bet is to see a trained professional. I currently work as a therapist (I don't diagnose) and all the patients with bipolar diagnosis have been through traumatic experiences. Makes me wonder whether bipolar as a whole is really just a certain manifestation of PTSD or traumatic stress. I'm not saying that's the case, I'm just saying that every patient I've worked with who had the diagnosis could just as easily fit the criteria for PTSD.

 

[cjf2010]

I've had a complete pyschological evaluation, I had to before I could get my financing to go to school. So I now know I was misdiagnosed.

 

[jostle]

Yes, there is the argument that all or nearly all mental health issues are related to trauma experienced in childhood or later. It would make a lot of sense, and from my point of view be more productive to work with than the bio-medical model (everything is related to your gene and medication).

I also was misdiagnosed, I believe, with bipolar disorder a couple of years ago. I cannot get the psych system here to acknowledge this, even though my symptoms fitted my already accepted diagnosis of PTSD. As my therapist says, bipolar is a bit flavour of the month at the moment!

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

I should point out that 40% of people with Bipolar disorder also have PTSD. So having both is not that uncommon. And there does seem to be a link between trauma and developing Bipolar, just like developing PTSD.