A person was diagnosed bipolar, but since stopping the meds, has no symptoms for 1 yr. .was it a misdiagnosis?

Answer 1

No. Bipolar disorder seems to be a catch all psychiatric diagnosis. I have been diagnosed and the medication never helped. But doing things that I enjoyed and being around people that I liked seemed to alleviate the symptoms.

Keep in mind that psychiatric diagnoses are very difficult to make and must be taken within caution.

Answer 2

Probably not. That person is in remission. The disorder works in cycles of alternation among mania/hypomania, depression and what is called "baseline", or normal. Some folks' cycles are in terms of years, others mere hours or even shorter. Some people are occasionally even manic and depressed at once (like me). Basically, a bipolar patient who's quit medication is a walking, ticking timebomb. Another episode can be right around the corner, or it could be years, but it WILL be back.
The medications basically work like a bulldozer clearing a road thru hills. It cuts the tops off the peaks, and fills in the valleys, making the road more level. When you quit the pills, you go back to the sharp ups and downs. Some folks' hills are more shallow, and longer, and others are steeper and closer together.

As long as the "bulldozer" keeps running, it's fine, but starting and stopping the thing on a hill is a real tough thing to do. And the more you stop and start again, the worse it's gonna run. It's better to stay medicated even while you're "normal" than to quit while you're normal and try to go back on again if you have another episode because the more times you quit and restart, the less likely the meds are to work.

Answer 3

Hello, well I would like to say from personal experience. I was diagnosed with bipolar myself and I was on meds for a while and took myself off of them, yes you can be fine for a year or more, but the bipolor symptoms can come back at anytime. I have been off meds for about 2 and a half years now and about 6 months ago, my symptoms reacurred. So it may not have been a mis diognosis, I would suggest that person go back to there doctor and be retested for bipolor, better yet go see a psychologist they can determine if it really is or not. But yes it can seem as if you are totally fine for some time. Bi polar symptoms do not stay all the time they come and go. Hope this helps!

Answer 4

No it was not a mis diagnosis. I was also diagnosed bipolar and stopped my meds. About 3 years later I had a bad break down and when I was being treated I was diagnosed again and now I know that I should have never stopped my meds. The person should study up on bipolar. I try to find out everything I can about it.

Answer 5

watchout! that can creep back up on you when you are least expecting it and the victim can be left in tatters from the experience of sliding out of control again. The disease can sneek up no one realizing that the sufferer is geting more and more manic or depressed and hides it well. There is little chance the person w the disorder will notice exactly the time it starts to take over again, and will most likely deny it until its well in its place. It is the nature of the beast that the perosn with the disorder is the least likely to see anything amiss-not to equate it w/ drug abuse, but it has an uncanny similarity in the denial part-very powerful block to effective treatment....Different people cycle at different rates so 1 yr w/o symptoms doesnt mean its 'cured". I'd keep the person intouch w a counselor regularly like 1xmo to check in on his her feelings and be more aware, also pick up any other problems that may co-exist or if misdiagnosed, get a proper one.

Answer 6

Your episodes can be triggered by many different things. Bipolar disease is not something that is often misdiagnosed unfortunately. It's a lifetime struggle it can flare up at any time and unless you were told by your doctor to stop the Meds you should always take them.

You might feel good but the imbalance in your brain will make it hard for you to recognize when the episodes flare up again and that's what the meds are suppose to help with.

Get back on the Meds or get a second opinion.

Answer 7

More than likely could have been for there are many conditions where symptoms overlap . Also the cause of the Bi-polar could have healed for the causes are varied .not all Bi-Polar is the kind that is hereditary and usually the type that is life long. A blow to the head,drugs and other things can also cause Bi-polar and from those causes it can be temporary. Bipolar is a imbalance of the brain chemistry why the lows and the highs(in extreme form) so if the brain chemistry is corrected then ther is no more Bi-Polar.

Answer 8

Symptoms may come and go with bipolar disorder, but they may come back again. However, you could have been misdiagnosed. My idea is, see your doctor and go over what you think is going on. Whatever he suggest think about. If you don't notice anymore symtoms after you stop for a longer period of time then you might not want to take meds again. However, if you notice yourself becoming depressed, moody, or manic, before it gets out of hand visit your doctor right away and this time don't go off the meds.

Answer 9

I would say it it is too soon to tell. Some medications can take up to a year or more to clear your system. The meds that you take for bipolar have to build up in your system before you get the full effect. They in turn take longer to get out of your system. I would say wait and see. Also, you don't have to be diagnosed as bipolar to have bipolar tendencies.

Answer 10

Misdiagnosis is common, but at the end of the day who cares! That person should be happy that they don't have to take drugs or put up with symptoms.