More than just depression??

Question

I was diagnosed with major depression four years ago.. The problem is that I feel like there's something missing.. My parents have suspected I'm bipolar for years, but I feel like I'm depressed most days. I also have this really bad problem with my emotions.. like, I wont verbalize any of this, but I get so mad at everyone that says something to slightly offend me.I always feel like people are disrepecting me. I'm so worried that people I love are making fun of me behind my back. Sometimes I wonder if I'm crazy because nobody else seems to struggle with their emotions like I do. I feel like everyone takes advantage of me and my personality, yet I also have this horrible fear that the people I love are going to abandon me and I'll be alone. Please understand that I'm not a mean person, I'm just really struggling wtih my emotions and wondered if anyone else felt this way and could offer a suggestion. I've also been in treatment for an eating disorder recently if that helps.

Answer 1

In Bipolar Disorder, particularly Bipolar II (only hypomania) this bubbling anger and irritability is very common, particularly in a mixed (manic and depressed at the same time) mood. You need to go tell your story to a psychiatrist if you do not already have one and see what they think. Here is some bipolar information that I hope will help. Take care of yourself.

http://behavenet.com/capsules/disorders/hypomanicep.htm
A. A distinct period of persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood, lasting throughout at least 4 days, that is clearly different from the usual non depressed mood.

B. During the period of mood disturbance, three (or more) of the following symptoms have persisted (four if the mood is only irritable) and have been present to a significant degree:

(1) inflated self-esteem or grandiosity
(2) decreased need for sleep (e.g., feels rested after only 3 hours of sleep)
(3) more talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking
(4) flight of ideas or subjective experience that thoughts are racing
(5) distractibility (i.e., attention too easily drawn to unimportant or irrelevant external stimuli)
(6) increase in goal-directed activity (either socially, at work or school, or sexually) or psychomotor agitation
(7) excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have a high potential for painful consequences (e.g., the person engages in unrestrained buying sprees, sexual indiscretions, or foolish business investments)

C. The episode is associated with an unequivocal change in functioning that is uncharacteristic of the person when not symptomatic.

D. The disturbance in mood and the change in functioning are observable by others.

E. The episode is not severe enough to cause marked impairment in social or occupational functioning, or to necessitate hospitalization, and there are no psychotic features.

F. The symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication, or other treatment) or a general medical condition (e.g., hyperthyroidism).
Note: Hypomanic-like episodes that are clearly caused by somatic antidepressant treatment (e.g., medication, electroconvulsive therapy, light therapy) should not count toward a diagnosis of Bipolar II Disorder.

Reprinted with permission from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth Edition. Copyright 1994 American Psychiatric Association

Here are a couple of free screenings for Bipolar Disorder:
Goldberg Bipolar Screening Quiz http://psychcentral.com/quizzes/bipolarquiz.htm
Free screenings at Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance:
http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_screening_screeningcenter

Bipolar Disorder Internet Resources:

Good Information than anyone can read:
From Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipolar_disorder
About.com: http://bipolar.about.com/

Support, Resources and Information:
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: http://www.dbsalliance.org
National Allisance for the Mentally Ill: http://www.nami.org
Bipolar Significant Others http://www.bpso.org/
Pendulum per support: http://www.pendulum.org/

Good Sources of Information:
National Institute of Mental Health: Bipolar Disorder http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/bipolar.cfm

Medline Plus: Bipolar Disorder http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/bipolardisorder.html

MayoClinic.com: Bipolar Disorder http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bipolar-disorder/DS00356

Johns Hopkins Medicine: Bipolar Disorder http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/epigen/bpwhatis.htm

emedicine from WebMD: Bipolar Affective Disorder: http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic229.htm

National Guidline Clearinghouse: Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with bipolar disorder (this includes the regulatory drug alters and warnings) http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?ss=15&doc_id=3302&nbr=2528

WebMD: Bipolar DIsorder http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder

PsycCentral:
Goldberg Bipolar Screening Quiz http://psychcentral.com/quizzes/bipolarquiz.htm
Bipolar Disorder http://psychcentral.com/disorders/sx20.htm
Online Resources http://psychcentral.com/resources/Bipolar/

Answer 2

You haven't said anything that stands out as bipolar specifically, but since I don't know all your symptoms I can't say either way. I had depression for a long time and then I got diagnosed with bipolar. I felt depressed most of the time, but then I had a few episodes where I would speed up, talk too much, sleep too little, walk around too much and became more outgoing than usual. I also said and did some dumb things that I wouldn't have done if I hadn't been manic
You aren't crazy because you are struggling with emotions - depression can do that - it can make you more irritable, overly sensitive to what people say and do, and can make you feel insecure, which might be why you worry the people you love will abandon you
What you have could just be depression, you haven't said anything that displays bipolar. If you find you sometimes feel sped up, thoughts racing too quickly, maybe talking faster, and your inhibitions going down, then you might have bipolar. You should see a psychiatrist if you worry you do and he/she will be able to quiz you to see if you have symptoms of bipolar or just depression. Part of your behaviour could be the eating disorder also. If you have bipolar, you should get it diagnosed b/c the medication will be changed based on that.
Good luck and go easy on yourself. Some couselling to help you deal with your emotions will go a long way and if you treat your eating disorder and your depression, you will find you get offended less easily.
Part of it is just mind over matter though, just decide to let things roll off your back and that might help you stay level more. I find that actually deciding to be easy-going in life does help me a lot.

Answer 3

If it really is depression, I recommend - - visit to doctor for some medicin - sleep and rest - if continues, therapeutical aid needed If you are restless and sleepless (or you sleep whenever), some kind of activity can help. Not too much, just a short walk, discussion with a friend, a movie... I preferred video movies when depressed - I could step out of my head for awhile.

Answer 4

I have been treated for depression and anxiety for about 23 years, and I worked in mental health for 20 years.

I'm not qualified to diagnose; but I'm very familiar with the DSM-IV (the reference book used by psychiatrists and other mental health professionals), and what you're describing seems to fit some of the criteria for Borderline Personality Disorder: Fear of abandonment, intense relationships, impulsive behavior, poor self image, etc.

If you are seeing a psychiatrist, please try to tell him or her everything you are feeling. If you're not seeing a psychiatrist, maybe you should consider trying to find one.

Answer 5

I have experienced similar to yours.
I now use suppliments like 5-HTP and omega-3 & 6. I take many vitamins daily and others every other day.
It really helps and I can feel the difference when I get too much vitamin or if I stop taking them.
I also use movies and books and others to inspire myself to help keep levels of seratonin up and regular exercise helps with sleep habits, motivation, and stress relief.

Answer 6

You should talk to a therapist about this. Only they can give a "correct" diagnosis. The thing about Bipolar is that drug companies are always advertising that your depression could be something more. Its a ploy to get people to change medication.
Maybe I'm just paranoid.

Answer 7

oh goodness where do i start..well here i go (similarties between you and me)
1. i have an eating disorder
2. i get angry/irritated/upset at the littlest things people say (like my dad telling me to get him something i glare at him and just ignore him. and i don't even mean to!! IDK WHY!)
3. i am sooo depressed right now (mostly bc of my eating disorder)
and trust me, you are not the only one whose struggling with emotions. i just hoe you realize you won't get abandoned and no body is making fun of you. best of lucks!

Answer 8

You are right...there is something else..its called paranoia....you are demonstrating bigtime symptoms of a classic parnoid person with delusions of persocution. you are not struggling with your emtions but rather your fears.

Answer 9

See http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris on pages 2 and 5.

Answer 10

This may be the missing piece....

For all you know this isn't all your stuff and you're just unwittingly more receptive.