Depression or Bipolar II?

I was diagnosed with depression, then cyclothymia, before there was an official BP 2 diagnosis. I've never been manic and rarely have hypomania, but generally have mixed episodes. Although, since you mentioned it...I remember as a teen getting up in the middle of the night to rearrange my bedroom furniture. 😊

@vball91. A psychiatrist once told me that there is a reason it can take 5 years to diagnose Bipolar Disorder I or II. It is a very complicated process and the doctor has to track your moods, activities, and symptoms with you over time. When someone says that they were diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder in a 10 minute conversation with a doctor or therapist I'm suspicious that the diagnosis isn't accurate after what my psychiatrist friend told me. Since the medication for Bipolar I and II are different from each other as well as for depression it's really important to get an accurate diagnosis and work with your doctor.

That's a long way of saying that yes, talk with your psychiatrist about all of this. I hope that they can help you figure our what's best for you and for your quality of life.

BiPolar II here too.
II is more depressive than manic.
I’m in a manic episode right now. I’m running around trying to do too many things at once with a self imposed deadline! I also talk faster than usual. I cause myself anxiety for no good reason…
Then, poof! I will return to my normal mode.
I take Lamictal and Zoloft.

@naturegirl5 That psychiatrist sounds like a good one. I have read that about 60-65% of people diagnosed with bipolar really are not! The diagnosis is most often made by the therapist based on what they are told by the patient. The patient may have decided they are bipolar so present evidence that supports that. I know a person who fits into that description. They do have some deep depression episodes but no one has ever seen an actual manic episode.
JK

@contentandwell You are so right. It's pretty hard to make an accurate diagnosis when the therapist or physician hasn't yet spent a lot of time with the patient.

Do you recall where you read the statistic?

Unfortunately, @naturegirl5 I do not. I get numerous emails that have medical content and that one caught my eye since I know people who feel they are bipolar.
JK

Can anyone answer whether bipolar comes in degrees, like low, moderate or high? Or is bipolar strictly binary - in other words you either have it or you do not.

The reason I ask is that my father was severely bipolar & the disease is horrible to live with at times. Most of the time I'm dealing with some level of depression, although usually not horrible, and some normal days, but sometimes I feel somewhat "manic" - - could I be slightly bipolar?

There is cyclothymia, too, which I think of as a spectrum of Bipolar I. However, Bipolar II is also its own diagnosis which I think is misnamed. I think it's worth looking up the various diagnostic criteria and seeing a therapist, NP or doctor who could help.

@johneckenrode11 Understanding our mental health issues can be a life-long challenge, and I think it is not unusual to move between different situations.

Here is a link to Cleveland Clinic's discussion about bipolar disorder, which made me really think! https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9294-bipolar-disorder

From Healthline is an article that points out specific differences between depression and bipolar disorder: https://www.healthline.com/health/bipolar-disorder-vs-depression

Have you had a professional assessment to determine what or if you are dealing with any of these conditions? It would go a long ways in helping you understand what you are dealing with. I know for me, having a definite diagnosis helped me tremendously!
Ginger

I’m afraid I’ll do just that: present the evidence for bipolar because I’m convinced I have it. I’ll talk to my doctor and just stick to the facts. I’ve been seeing the same psychiatrist for 15 years, so he knows me pretty well.