I need some info on bi polar disorder, my sister has been diagnosed?

Question

So, my sister has been diagnosed by one Dr, with bipolar 2? and is taking zyprexa and effexor, another Dr. thinks she has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and wants her to get councelling, and off the drugs.. she is confused, and so am I. I had P.T.S.D, and went through councelling, I was a guinne pig for Dr.s with meds, for a while, and I don't take anything anymore, as I am stable, and still in councelling, I wonder if she has p.t.s.d ? or Bi polar? She is my baby sis, and I love her, I just don't want any miss diagnosises, so I need to know what the signs/symptoms are for bipolar 2, and do you think she should get a third opinion? thanks.

Answer 1

www.webmd.com

Answer 2

Has your sister seen a psychiatrist or just regular doctors? Only psychiatrists can make a diagnosis and that is usually after an interview about symptoms and such. I am Bipolar 2 (have been for 15 years) and have suffered with PTSD on and off for about 7 years. It is possible that your sister has both. I find it interesting that one doctor wanted your sister off of the Zyprexa, because that is what I take as my emergency medication to help with my PTSD related panic attacks. It is fast acting and can be quite stabilizing. I'm not sure about Effexor, but I know it's an antidepressant and people with any kind of bipolar disorder should NOT be in antidepressants; it can make the symptoms of bipolar disorder much worse. I recommend that your sister start therapy, especially if she is suffering from PTSD. Medication will not solve that, as you probably know. Medication will help stabilize her moods though. I think it's good that you want to educate yourself and your sister about these things. I will say that the symptoms of Bipolar 2 disorder and PTSD are actually quite different so I'm not sure how she got diagnosed as these separately unless she has both and presents with both symptoms. Bipolar 2 basically involves cycles of deep depression (it can look like Major Depressive Disorder) and ups called "hypomania." The hypomanic episodes do not always present as regular mania would. Instead hypomania can manifest as irritability, anger for no reason, agitation, lots of anxiety and possibly the feeling that one is racing all the time (I call it having "excess energy"). Encourage your sister to educate herself, that way when she goes to the doctor next (or preferably a psychiatrist) she will be able to ask questions about their opinions and take an active part in her treatment. Good luck with this!

Answer 3

Mental Illness has a lot of overlapping symptoms and many people with mental illness suffer from more than one thing. It is very possible that she is both bi-polar and suffering from PTSD.

Bi-polar disorder used to be called Manic Depression. A person who has it is classified as one who alternates through a Manic stage (high energy, wild ideas and schemes) and a Depressive stage (low energy, feeling of low self worth, etc). A person who has this may go for months in one stage or another. Those who suffer from Bipolar 2 usually never have an all out manic episode. A person with this disorder cycles between lower forms of mania which includes but not limited to behaviors such as unexplained irritability, insomnia, unacceptable social behavior, ect. This is a neurosis which means that the person is fully aware of reality.

Many times PTSD leads to depression or if depression was already there PTSD can make it more pronounced. The depressive part of BiPolar many times is what brings people to the doctor because let's face it, if you feel good you don't think anything is wrong. Your sister may have both disorders and each doctor stopped diagnosing after one diagnosis was made. If she is not seeing a person specifically trained in behavioral health this is the time she should go. She should bring the other diagnosis to the attention of each doctor for further evaluation.

When I was being treated for depression, I started showing signs of being bi-polar and now I am being treated for PTSD. They are two different diseases but with a few similar symptoms. It's not easy to mix them up. Trust what each doctor has to say but definately bring the other diagnosis to the attention of each of them.

Answer 4

nami.org will help. I'm bi-polar 1 & don't cycle with high levels of mania, I get what called "hyomanic". So, although cycling between moods is the sign if you're bi-poalr, that's not all there is to it. If the medication is helping, then that's the answer. But, it doesn't help overnight. Just get a lot of information & make the best decision you can. Doctors know a lot, but they're not perfect. (obviously) Suggest she go to some gorup counseling sessions & she'll be able to tell listening to other people talk about their condition wether or not she's like them.

Answer 5

Being bipolar myself I will answer the best that I can for you. Now the fun part I have know two people that had PTSD and bipolar both, she may have one, both, or neither. The best thing that can be done is to find a Dr that you trust. Get as much information as you can about both bipolar and PTSD. Some web sites to check out are nimh.org and webmd.com. if you are in for some heavy reading check your library for this title DSM-IV or DSM-IV TR.There is no quick and easy solution to metal illness. She may need to take meds and get consoling both.

Answer 6

Most likely she is bipolar...PTSD is more common in those that have had tramatic,very tramatic experiences such as seeing people get killed in war...A Bipolar person has severe downs such as depression,then they come up to excessive highs...They have a problem handling lifes stresses and the cares of ever day life at times,then other times they can can do just fine.They are unsure of them selves,and see darkness like a wall at times....They need assurance and other peoples opinions to help them make decisions...They don,t always trust their own instints...they sometimes need a leaning post,you know rely on someone,and they can become very dependant on chemicals if they are not treated because they don,t really feel normal...PTSD and Bipolar are simular in many ways except you can tell one from the other by the up and down moods...Bipolar people have really downs and really ups with no middle.they go down as far as they can and then stay there for awhile and suddenly can go as high as they can,severe changes....I have a bipolar son and I have been through this for years....If she is bipolar which I feel she is ,the meds is all that can help her,counselling helpsbut without the meds she will be unable to feel normal....If she gets the right medication she will feel like she is seeing light for the first time....Like I said Bipolar ould be my first thought of her disease because PTSD is mostly from horrible death scenes such as war ot rape or something very severe.....I hope I have helped you to understand better...But your sister needs her meds,and she might have to be tried on several before they work..Good luck to you and remember she will always need someone to be there for her,in case she might get really angry or need your support...

Answer 7

http://www.psychologyinfo.com/depression/bipolar.htm

The difference between Bipolar and Ptsd is the mainia. I have been bipolar for 14 years and I can stay up all night cleaning and be hyper in the morning with no sleep. It really is uncomfortable to be manic. Many doctors will say you are bi polar just to get around the insurance companies. My family didn't believe it for years. Go to the library and support groups they can help with your ?'s

Answer 8

I saw your question and felt truly obligated to answer it. You can check out WebMD.com for more info on the acutal disease, but I'd recommend a second opinion...or even a 3rd or 4th..
Reason being, I have known 3 people personally in my life who have been diagnosed (teens) with bi-polar. All have actual been proven NOT to have bi-polar, and it was a mis-diagnosis.
Plainly speaking, when it comes to mental health, docs like to slap the label of "bi-polar" on just about everyone. If after you recieve a few more opinions, then obviously you heed thier advice.
I know of people who are bi-polar, and know of people who were diganosed bi-polar, but later showed they clearly weren't.
This is not just with mental health....ANY type of medical problem, especially as serious as bi-polar, should be evaulated by several drs.....
Although they are put on pedastols by our society, doctors are not gods.

Answer 9

beyondblue

moodgym

Check out mental health websites.

Answer 10

go to webmd.com