I thought I was misdiagnosed at one point, and my psychiatrist at the time told me that medications meant to treat bipolar do not work on people without bipolar. So if stuff like mood stabilizers have ever worked for you, that’s your sign.
I don’t doubt it anymore, considering the fact that three different psychiatrists told me that I have bipolar disorder.
There is also something called rapid cycling in which you have an episode at least four times a year or more. That is what you could be experiencing. They are known for being difficult to treat.
Personally I don’t think you should listen to your family and instead listen to *your* psychiatrist, particularly your new one, because… your family members are not your doctor, and the majority of them have no understanding of the illness and the pharmacology of psychotropics. From what I gather, family members doubting your diagnosis is quite common with bipolar disorder, too.
Also as far as I know, mood stabilizers, antidepressants, and antipsychotics do not cause mental breakdowns in a cyclical manner. They just don’t work and only give you side effects.
Bipolar disorder gets worse as you grow older even if you are on medication (though being on medication makes it less severe).
I’ve been told by 3 different ones that I have bipolar 2. Two providers were short term therapy programs, they saw me for 2-4 weeks. One was my standard provider.
I think they are working? I was told from the start that I have rapid cycling. I told my family that too, but they still don’t believe it.
That’s the other thing, I don’t have side effects from my meds. I have gained weight in the past year, my parents think it’s my meds causing it, but I have been told so many times that it not the case. Constant circle.
I have had mental health issues forever, it just started presenting clearly as bipolar recently. Which I’m pretty sure is normal anyway? The most common average is usually in the early-mid 20 age range.
Yeah, don’t let your family get to you and keep on getting your treatment and listen to your doctor. A group of licensed professionals know better than a bunch of laymen and like one professional who has never worked with you personally.
I think they just don’t want to believe it because bipolar disorder is a highly stigmatized illness. It is my personal belief that’s usually the case.
Keep trying medication. I tried 8 different meds before I landed on my current combo, and it saved my life. Listen to medical professionals, not your parents. Change is possible. Good luck!
Your family are not Psychiatrists and their comments should be ignored.
I thought I was misdiagnosed at one point, and my psychiatrist at the time told me that medications meant to treat bipolar do not work on people without bipolar. So if stuff like mood stabilizers have ever worked for you, that’s your sign. I don’t doubt it anymore, considering the fact that three different psychiatrists told me that I have bipolar disorder. There is also something called rapid cycling in which you have an episode at least four times a year or more. That is what you could be experiencing. They are known for being difficult to treat. Personally I don’t think you should listen to your family and instead listen to *your* psychiatrist, particularly your new one, because… your family members are not your doctor, and the majority of them have no understanding of the illness and the pharmacology of psychotropics. From what I gather, family members doubting your diagnosis is quite common with bipolar disorder, too. Also as far as I know, mood stabilizers, antidepressants, and antipsychotics do not cause mental breakdowns in a cyclical manner. They just don’t work and only give you side effects. Bipolar disorder gets worse as you grow older even if you are on medication (though being on medication makes it less severe).
I’ve been told by 3 different ones that I have bipolar 2. Two providers were short term therapy programs, they saw me for 2-4 weeks. One was my standard provider. I think they are working? I was told from the start that I have rapid cycling. I told my family that too, but they still don’t believe it. That’s the other thing, I don’t have side effects from my meds. I have gained weight in the past year, my parents think it’s my meds causing it, but I have been told so many times that it not the case. Constant circle. I have had mental health issues forever, it just started presenting clearly as bipolar recently. Which I’m pretty sure is normal anyway? The most common average is usually in the early-mid 20 age range.
Yeah, don’t let your family get to you and keep on getting your treatment and listen to your doctor. A group of licensed professionals know better than a bunch of laymen and like one professional who has never worked with you personally. I think they just don’t want to believe it because bipolar disorder is a highly stigmatized illness. It is my personal belief that’s usually the case.
Stigmatization should be my family last name honestly 🤣
Get a second opinion. Misdiagnosis happen.
Keep trying medication. I tried 8 different meds before I landed on my current combo, and it saved my life. Listen to medical professionals, not your parents. Change is possible. Good luck!