Bipolar or anxiety?

Question

so since i sarted my new job last year in June I have been dealing with alot of stresses at work along with the passing of my father in 2005. I have been noticing increased irritability, excess worry, restless sleep, muscle tension in my back, headaches, sweating, no concentration, nausea, frequent bathroom breaks, tiredness, trouble staying asleep and being startled easily. My doctor seems to think I am bipolar with anxiety but when I looked up the syptoms of a bipolar I only got 3 of the 13 symptoms. I feel I have been misdiagnosed and that because I have had depression in the past they are just assuming I am now bipolar. I am 25 now but when i was 15 I had a drug addiction that I told my Dr about. Its my feeling that she doesnt want to prescribe me anxiety pills because she feels I will become addicted to them. I may just be paranoid here, but I'm severly confused about my talk with the Dr. Should I get a second opinion? This anxiety is effecting my work and life.please help

I might also add I have 1-3 panic attacks a day. Racing heart, feeling of faintness, sick to my stomache. I called in sick today because of the childish behavior that goes on there and thats where most of my anxiety attacks happen. They do also happen in crowded stores or when people are to close to me. Any advice would be great thanks in advance!

I'm not understanding why the Dr told me im depressed/bipolar because I have no thoughts of suicide and do not self-mutilate myself.

so i got a second opinion and they said nothing about bipolar, they say its anxiety, the gave me a scipt for PROZAC???? How is this going to help the anxiety attacks I've been having and desprestly need to rid myself of. Yeah if PROZAC works its going to take time but I cant even function normally now! I've dealt with this too long. Maybe I'm not explaining myself right to the new doctor.

Answer 1

You certainly do not sound bi-polar. So many Dr.s like to label people with it and over medicate. I have anxiety and depression I take an anti-depressant. Effexor and I take a small amount of Xanax a day. All your symptoms sound like panic and anxiety attacks which I know are very scary. Go to a Psychiatrist then you get counseling and medication. Just because you had a drug addiction 10 years ago doesn't mean you are going overuse your medication's, You definitely need to be on more than Prozac, and most Dr.'s don't' even give that out anymore, Don't let anxiety ruin your life get some help other tan you Dr.

Answer 2

Bipolar disorder is a lifelong illness. Episodes of mania and depression eventually can occur again, if you don't get treatment. A small percentage of people will continue to have symptoms, even after getting treatment.

Bipolar I disorder involves episodes of severe mood swings, from mania and depression.

Bipolar II disorder is a milder form, involving milder episodes of hypomania that alternate with depression.

Cyclothymic disorder describes even milder mood changes.

With mixed bipolar disorder, there is both mania and depression at the same time. "The person feels grandiose, with racing thoughts, all this energy -- but is also irritable, angry, moody, feeling bad," says Michael Aronson, MD, a clinical psychiatrist and consultant for WebMD. "This can be a dangerous mix."

Rapid-cycling bipolar disorder is characterized by four or more mood episodes that occur within a 12-month period. Some people experience multiple episodes within a single week, or even within a single day. Rapid cycling tends to develop later in the course of illness. Women are more likely than men to have rapid cycling. A rapid-cycling pattern increases risk for severe depression and suicide attempts.

Antidepressants are thought to trigger and prolong rapid cycling. However, that theory is controversial and is still being studied.

Answer 3

you should give the bipolar checklist to people who know you well and see what THEY think. Often, when you are bipolar, you lack insight. You don't realize that you have things going on like overly rapid (pressured) speech, overspending, etc. Now maybe you were so anxious that you were talking a mile a minute and the doc made an honest mistake there.

Doctors are often wrong on diagnosis. I hope that you saw a psychiatrist and not just a family doc. I'd get a second opinion-the bipolar meds are heavy duty with their risks (but absolutely necessary if you are bipolar). Try the anxiety and phobia workbook for tips on calming down.

Buspar is an anxiety pill that isn't addictive, to my understanding, and I think there are supposed to be some SSRI's (like prozac) that help anxiety. You don't want to go down the benzo path, like valium, ativan, klonopin, etc. They are addictive and after awhile you just get used to them and only THINK they are helping you. and the withdrawal is awful. They also can cause depression, even if you aren't depressed already.

If your job situtation is unlikely to improve (abusive boss, the nature of the job is stressful) you ought to look into changing jobs down the line.

Here are my non-medication anxiety tips (benzos made ME violent)

Try turning the heat up in the house or dressing much more warmly. It is hard to feel anxiety when you are too warm. I was able to cut out ativan use altogether by using this trick. Saved me big $$ too, because pills cost way more than heat. Hot baths work too, and in a pinch, like at work, you can try running hot water over your hands.

Avoid caffeine like the plague. Also, some cold remedies can cause anxiety. Look for the "agitation in children" warning on the box. Adults can get problems too.

Try meditation tapes like progressive muscle relaxation or guided imagery. They may seem silly at first, but they work!!

Look up (using google) good "sleep hygeine" tips so you can sleep better. Like go to bed and get up about the same time each day, even weekends. Don't use your bedroom to watch TV and read and use the computer and all that-just use the room as a bedroom normally would be used. Don't do stuff that pumps you up right before bed, like exercising and using the computer. You want to use that last hour to wind down-Take a bath. Make the bedroom really dark, cover up the clock radio, even so the light doesn't shine at you. If you live in the rackety city, use a noise generator (makes wave sounds and the like) to cover up the city sounds.

Make a list of things that make you happy and calmer. Here's some things on my list: A basket full of fluffy kittens, bread fresh from the oven, The first fireflies of the season, The crisp sound of a saltine cracker breaking, fresh sheets on the bed, etc. Whatever trips your trigger. Use all your senses and read that list when you are breaking down (works for depression, too).

Work on time management if being overwhelmed and late for things and too much to do is getting to you. Cut back on other responsibilities temporarily so you can spend more restorative time with friends and family.

You got a girl/boyfriend? Extra physical touch is very helpful. Most people in the US or UK are touch deprived, so hold hands more, hug more, give shoulder rubs, etc. Sex is helpful too (Ok, I'm embarrassed, but hey, it helps a LOT!) A pet is good to cuddle with, too, if your home situation allows you to get one. (I'm an animal lover, don't get one if you can't commit to it for 15 years)

Good luck!

Answer 4

You may not be explaining yourself to the dr correctly. We all try to make things not sound as bad as they are for fear that they will say what we truly fear.... YOU ARE INSANE. good news they are not going to say that. When you go to the dr. tell them everything do'nt leave anything out. If need be go to a psyciatrist. They do know more than a gp. tell them how it is effecting your work. I take ativan. I only take it when nothing else helps and you really shouldn't take these things at work. and they don't help in the long run. prozac is known to and a lot of people swear by it. When you have one try to breathe through it. If there is someone at work that you like and trust have them talk to you and get your mind off it. Also if your work is causing a lot of it then ask your therapist ( If you do't have one then you should get one) maybe you need to look at other career options. Just keep plugging away at it.

Answer 5

I am not in the medical profession but I do know a little about both things. I suffer from anxiety and your symptoms sound just like mine. I have a friend whose husband is bipolar and I have read quite a bit about it. From what you have said here, it doesn't sound like you have it. From what I have read though, bipolar people tend to deny there is a problem so reread what you wrote and make sure you have included all your symptoms. I would go see a psychiatrist or another dr. for a second opinion.

Answer 6

The signs and symptoms you described is that of depression and anxiety.If you are bi-polar you should be on a mood stabelizer.Prozac is an SSRI ( seratonin reuptake) which works on the seratonin level of the brain...this also helps relieve the symptoms of anxiety.A benzodiazapine certaily helps the anxiety ,but it is highly addictive.You certaily should seek a second opinion,but please ask the doctor to explain to you how he/she arrived at the diagnosis (he should be cunsulting the DSM IV book)There are anxiety groups that you can attend ,they help the symptoms of anxiety.Try relaxation therapy and music therapy for anxiety.

Answer 7

I used to get really bad panic attacks & had lots of anxiety as well. My blood sugar was low...back then I was told that I was hypogycemic....My choice back then was to change my diet or take an anti-depressant....I went to see a nutritionialst & I was told to avoid like the plague: Caffeine, sugar, acid (tomatoes) corn of any form, pasta (turns to sugar) junk food, fried food, coffee products, dairy products......I went on this diet for a year & straightened myself back out....as time moved along things got easier, the anxiety went away, the panic attacks stopped.....Oh I also drank bottled water...I still do...Good Luck.

Answer 8

the symptoms you describe don't sound like bipolar disorder. it sounds like you might have an exacerbation of your depression or an anxiety disorder. definitely consider getting a second opinion. you don't want to undergo the risks of taking medication for bipolar disorder if you don't have to. even if your doctor is afraid to prescribe you anxiety pills, a lot of antidepressants can also relieve anxiety to some extent. a second opinion should help in this case...

Answer 9

you need to write down everything that is happening to you. keep a daily diary for about 2 weeks and show it to the Dr. that will help tremendously with a proper diagnosis.

Answer 10

im sorry for the passing of your father. I think that has alot to do with your problems. These symptoms will probably pass with time