Bipolar type 2 UNDIAGNOSED OR TAKING YEARS TO DIAGNOSE

Could you discuss the differences between bi-polar and bi-polar 2?

@suzleigh That is a very good question. Many people find it difficult to distinguish between the subsets.

A person who has been evaluated and diagnosed with Bipolar 1 generally demonstrates more extreme episodes of very high energy and elevated moods, racing thoughts and behaviors such as grandiosity. These are frequently referred to as manic episodes. They may exhibit a decreased need for sleep, engage in what some would see as risky activities (such as drinking, driving recklessly) or report visual or auditory hallucinations. Not infrequently, hospitalization is required for stabilization through medication adjustments.

People who are suffering from bipolar 2 demonstrate lower extremes of such episodes, as such they’re referred to as “hypomania” or may not report similar symptoms. However, they may cycle through periods of depression that can be very disruptive to daily functioning.

Both types require professional evaluation and different types of medication, often combination meds that may need to be trialed and changed according to the individual response over time.

Did that help to answer your question?

@grammato3 This sounds like something I’m going through. I’ve been diagnosed Cluster B with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). I wrestled with the DSM version of BPD since I could only buy in to so few of the traits.

Then I read about quiet BPD and checked all but one off the blocks. Internalization being the big one. The ‘noisy’ BPD comes with acting out in big ways — drugs, alcohol, etc.

The problem is quite BPD is not in the DSM and getting people to listen is problematic.

@suzleigh I understand how confusing diagnosis criteria in the DSM for Mental Health Disorders. What is important to remember is this is a tool, not an exact science and there can be a great overlap especially when it comes to Cluster B personality subsets. There are traits that may accompany various such diagnoses but not everyone demonstrates all these traits or are necessarily aware of; it may exhibit differently in different individuals and at different times/circumstances. While, as you stated, "quiet BPD" is not listed seperately, this does not mean it is a problem by any means when it comes to treatment. These can include schema therapy (delving into long held internalized beliefs about themselves), mentalization (focusing on actions, thoughts and other's feelings/intentions) or dialectical therapy (mindfulness and emotional regulation).

I would also caution against any type of self-diagnosis in any physical or mental health situation as this could lead down an entirely divergent path that may lead to misinterpretation, increased anxiety or something called "confirmation bias" where an individual is led to believe one thing when another is actually the root of the situation. That can delay effective treatment.

Are you working with a mental health professional at the current time?Can you explain more about what you mean about "getting people to listen"?

@grammato3 Yes… yay for me that I have a therapist and two psychiatrists who remind me of what I do and don’t have that make me crazy 😉

Kidding of course. Mental Health is a serious issue, but sometimes we must laugh or it gets too overwhelming.

I believe we need to be talking about the mental disorder bipolar 2 because it is very important to be aware of what 😮 is going on!!!!!
I have read about medications, about the circadian rhythms, about Iyengar yoga (asanas and pranayama), about food, vitamins and others, herbs and spices, friends and families and much more. I would love to exchange or share information . Have you heard about CAPLYTA?

I had a late middle age bipolar 2 diagnosis that I feel is correct. It explains too much of my life.

The diagnosis came after being hospitalized. I had been on antidepressants for quite a few years for generalized depression that wasn't diagnosed for what it is. Partly because I was seen by a general practitioner, not a psychiatrist, and he simply didn't know what to look for. The antidepressants I was prescribed not only didn't help, as you note, but over time, they sent my depression into overdrive. Things got pretty scary. Getting off of them was the first step to climbing out to the place I'd found myself, and it was a very dark place.

The kind of reaction I had is not universal to bipolar 2 patients treated with antidepressants, it's actually uncommon, but when it does occur it can be dangerous. I know this first hand. So while I wouldn't say that they don't work for all bipolar 2 patients, for such patients who aren't getting better, or as in my case, going into steep decline, talk to a psychiatrist, Get a second opinion if need be. Don't let it slide like I did. I wound up in a very dangerous condition and had to go to the hospital. I'm fully convinced that if I hadn't gotten off of antidepressants when I did, I wouldn't be here now.

The good news is that, two years, after ceasing antidepressants, I've had none of the extreme symptoms that had overtaken my life during the last three or four years I was taking them. My psychiatrist placed me on lamictal, which has been very successful for me. I'm better mentally than at any time in my life, going all the way back to grade school (I was 59 when I started lamictal two years ago). There is hope.

My biggest takeaway having come out of a depression that came frighteningly close to ending my life is not just an empathy, but a deep regard for people with severe mental illness struggles. The worst of mine proved to be artificially driven, and I can't state in words how fortunate I feel for that. Most people aren't that lucky. Yet somehow they lift themselves out of bed every morning and push through their day. Given how ready I was to give up, I don't know how they do it for years and decades. But I did learn this: To those living with mental disabilities, you are NOT weak. Not even close. You are strong. You have endured. Some simply cannot go on any further, but even that isn't weakness. We all have out breaking points. I came very close to reaching mine. But try to never view yourself as weak. You have power most people never even have to try to find within themselves. My only wish is that it can sustain you.

@liliana12345: I appreciate your comments. Certainly agree, as with such a mental health condition - be it bipolar 1 or 2, or any other such issue - as it does help both those affected, their friends, families and work colleagues to be familiar with the range of symptomatology that may accompany each.

From a professional standpoint, I am familiar with Caplyta being prescribed to treat bipolar 1 and 2, as it has been demonstrated to be helpful in working to alleviate depression and stabilize mood. As with all psychotropic or psychoactive medications (those used to treat mental health conditions that alter brain chemistry) it is important to note that they may work differently for different individuals. Some medications may be trialed to see if they are effective and/or used in combination with other medications. Some medication(s) that are found to be effective initially may eventually require tapering to switch to another medication that may be more effective. As with all medication, it is important not to abruptly cease taking them as this can cause significant side effects but to do so under the guidance of a qualified medical professional.

There have been studies that have demonstrated that yoga can be a very useful adjunctive treatment for behavioral disorders, as can sleep patterns and sound nutritional habits.

Have you or anyone you know incorporated such practices and have they been found to be helpful?

@depressedbutnotdead: Thank you for being so candid in providing your history and emotions. You truly helped to underscore that there are few things about mental health afflictions that are "universal" but how important it is to recognize and admit symptoms when they're occuring - to seek help when desperation sets in and to continue to pursue anwers if left unsatisfied with the solutions provided. You have demonstrated a resiliance that can be inspirational to others going through dark times.

@grammato3 Thanks for providing this forum. It's the only one I'm on regarding medical issues because I know it's well monitored and moderated, and that misinformation won't be allowed here.

I mean, it's Mayo.

I don't use social media for my health advice. Truth be told, I've all but completely pulled off of social media altogether. Which was also a good mental health move.

I'm not opposed to antidepressants despite my experience with them. They very much do save lives. What happened in my case is uncommon enough that the psychiatrist I see had not previously encountered it. But she couldn't deny the evidence of her own eyes regarding how quickly I spun around after getting off them. There was an interim period between when I went off of the antidepressant and when I began the lamictal when the improvement was already very evident to her. There are NIH and BMJ studies documenting what occurred as rare, but known. She had seen them, but hadn't witnessed it in real time. She told me she's now using her observations with me as a reference point in case she suspects another patient might be dealing with the same outcome.

I credit getting off of the antidepressant as life saving. I came frighteningly close to ending it, and suspect I would have if I'd stayed on that trajectory. I credit the lamictal for bringing a lifetime of depression cycles to a halt. I've gone two years now without one. I used to experience three or four extended periods of depression a year, and that dates back to grade school (I'm now 61). Mentally I've never felt better. It was a very rough road, but it ended well.

I'm a writer by trade and at some point intend to publish my story. Again, I don't want to condemn antidepressants or scare people from using them. But I do think people should know the warning signs if something is going wrong. For me it was daily and escalating suicidal thoughts, uncontrollable anger, eating and sleep disorders, substance abuse, hygiene issues, violent fantasies, and more. All of it out of character for me. And all of it vaporized within weeks of stopping the medication (that I didn't need alcohol rehab in the aftermath is, along with still being alive and still being married, one the the three things I'm most thankful for). If I can save just one person from going through the hell I endured, it's worth going fully public.