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bipolar 2

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Q: Bipolar 2 ?
I have major depression and rage and panic attacks is this a form of Bipolar II ??

A: For it to be any type of bipolar, there needs to be mania along with the depression. But I’m not a doc; go get an evaluation.

Q: What are some ways to cope with being bipolar 2 without medication?
I am bipolar 2 and choose not to take the medications because of the way they make me feel. I am a single mother of 4 kids and here recently the stresses of day to day life have been getting me down. I am very depressed, but want to find other ways that I can cope without meds because when I do take them I have horrible side effects. The side effects alone prevent me from taking care of my kids like they should be taken care of. So I am looking for alternatives to the meds.

A: It’s important to work with your doctor/counselor to find the right meds or combination of meds that work for you without serious side effects. Stopping treatment altogether is usually not the best way to handle the problem. Let them know your concerns, and if they don’t help you, find someone who will.

Q: Can people with bipolar disorder type 2 stay happily married or are the destined for doom?
I just found out today that I may have bipolar disorder type 2. Now instead of being depressed I am devestated. I am worried my marriage will be in jeopardy. My biggest fear.

A: I am another person with by-polar disorder. My answer to you is no your marriage is not doomed. But it will take a lot of committment from both of you, and especially from you to learn to control the disorder, through a psychiatrist with medication (which is alot of trial and error, and mental, intellectual, and emotion ajustment on your part which takes time) but the right medication can be found to work for you. Plus use talk-therapy with a professional reputable psychologist. And if you have access to a spiritual guidance counsellor, use that too for yourself, and for your marriage. Your spouse will also need help to know how to help and how to deal with it in a possitive way.
I can promise you, that if you both are willing to invest in your relationship and support each other through this, you will come out stronger, more compassionate, and more whole, than you were before. Life can be wonderful again. I promise.

Q: What is the difference between bipolar 1 and 2?
My friend told me bipolar 2 people are more depressed than bipolar 1 and bipolar 1 people are more manic, is this true? What is the difference between the two? Some drs. diagnose me with type 1 and others with type 2. The place I was at diagnosed a month ago with type 1 and the place they sent me to for follow ups diagnosed me with type 2.

A: The depression is the same in both 1 and 2… technically the only difference is that 2’s have hypomania (mild mania) and 1’s have full blown mania… so really the only difference is the severity of the mania. In general 2’s tend to spend more time depressed but that is not always the case…. Full blown mania can often include [psychosis (delusions or hallucinations)… but hypomania never includes psychosis…. In short.. it is the severity of the mania that determines if it is 1 or 2 and that will be subject to interpretation… each psychiatrist has a little different idea of what constitutes mania…. just where does it cross the line from hypomania to mania is subject to debate…..

Hypomania feels good.. it is awesome! Your mind runs like a Porsche… you are super productive, creative… you can take on the world! Full blown mania is this take to a major extreme…

I am Bipolar 1 and this is a little bit about my mania’s:

Mania – Way too happy! PARTY GIRL! love drink and drugs. Talk really fast and pressured because my thoughts are going faster than my mouth can keep up with. Thoughts start to go so fast you can’t even think fast enough to keep up with them anymore… confusaion sets in because your thoughts literally flash by so fast you can’t comprehend them anymore. Hypersexual – like I sleep with strangers and guys I just met on the internet or I masturbate 10 times a day. I once became bisexual because there were twice as many people to sleep with. down load porn and spend tons of money on sex toys. Spending sprees….. I once spent my mortgage money on african violets, yep, $1500 on African violets (then I got depressed and let them all die). Quit my job because I wanted my vacation pay for lottery tickets and I was so convinced I would win that I started shopping and writing bad checks because I’d be rich as soon as the numbers were drawn. Decided that I could replace the furnace in my home by myself… I mean how hard can it be….. Only sleep 2 or maybe 3 hours a night for months on end and never feel tired. In the end I was unemployed, $30,000 in debt, and had almost lost my home, which needed a new furnace because I had removed the old one.. or parts of it anyway. This can last for months.

Having mixed states will also get you a Bipolar 1 diagnosis as well:

I also have mixed states when I am depressed and manic at the same time which are truly the worst… By body and mind are depressed but there is this undercurrent of energy running all the time….. I’m highly emotional but the emotions tend to be negative (guilt and anger) I have intrusive thoughts and urges to mutilate myself (like wanting to stick my hands in the garbage disposal or cooking them on the BBQ), and I also have psychotic episodes where I hallucinate. This is when I am most suseptible to suicide because I am depressed, wanting to hurt myself, and I have the mental energy to plan and carry it out.

Q: How do I deal with a family member recently diagonsed with bipolar 2?
A few days ago I found out that my sister who is 23 has officially been diagonsed with bipolar 2 dissorder. She’s joked for a couple years about it but nothing really came from it. She finally had a break down last week and went to the ER for physical symptoms. From there she was admitted to a psych ward. We get to talk to her for a little while each day but I’m having trouble dealing with this. I’m 18 years old, and someone who worries constently so this really isn’t helping. I have no idea how I can start dealing with this and what I can do to try and help. I should add that my sister is in California and we are on the other side of the country in Pennsylvania. Any advice you can give me I will be greatful for. Thanks.

A: It is tough to have a close family member suffering from an illness and it can be uniquely difficult in the case of mental illness. My father has had bipolar disorder for much of his life and for a very long time he was not diagnosed. So, your sister is lucky to be on the road to managing her illness and you should be thankful for that, at least. Although it will probably take quite a while before she finds a treatment system that works for her (medication, counselling, etc.), you should know that you can still have a close and happy relationship with her. You should also know that you do not need to worry for her. You should be concerned for her well-being, of course, but if you feel overly worried or overwhelmed, you should perhaps see a doctor. Personally, I thought for years that it was normal to worry constantly, but it isn’t. If anxiety is regularly interfering with your life, you should seek some medical guidance of your own.

Q: Can someone that is Bipolar type 2 have mixed episodes?
I’ve received mixed answers. I’ve heard that they can’t, that only people with Bipolar type I can have mixed episodes. However, last I heard I was Bipolar Type 2, but I’m currently experiencing a mixed episode. I’m trying to get opinions before I contact my psychiatrist to ask her what my diagnosis REALLY is.

A: Yes Bipolar II can have mixed episodes. More often they are mixed episodes of depression.

The basic differences between II & I is the severity of the disease, and the length of the cycles. Bipolar II’s are known as rapid cycler’s which can have cycles within a short period of time, even within the same day, they have more tendencies to be depressed rather than hypomanic.
BPII’s also don’t have the “true” manic episodes that last a week or longer. Rather it’s termed hypomania. To meet criteria in DSM-IV it has to last at least 4 days. Where the mania has to last a minimum of a week. While BPI’s do have more of the mixed episodes that doesn’t rule out BPII’s.

When people think of BP’s they think of those who hide out in thier rooms for months at a time then come out and are all over the place, talking, spending money, etc. The BPII”s are harder to diagnoses because the swings are so rapid and are mixed with periods of time when they function normally. They often don’t seek treatment until they are hitting the more BPI like attributes, or extremes. And if they are not seen by a professional familiar with the disease, all the spectrums, and new break throughs in research, they are often misdiagnosed. (This was the case with both myself and my son)

Bipolar is a progressive disease. Meaning untreated, it can start out as BPII and move into BPI which is the more aggressive part of the disease including the physchotic feature not associated with the BPII’s.

There are many spectrums of Bipolar. There is new research out monthly opening up more and more of the unique differences between them all.

To sum it up, BPI and BPII are not the only Bipolars.

However it is imperative if you are suffering and can recognize mixed episodes you discuss it with your doctor as soon as possible. Often medications need to be tweaked or added. Remember the disease is progressive.

Thankfully, as has been my own personal experience, my son’s and those I work with as a support team and advocate, there are many new medications or combos, and other tools/treatments out today that are very effective and have less side effects than the old standby’s most people use or know about.

Q: What sort of medication will I be put on for Bipolar 2?
I have been diagnosed with Bipolar affective disorder type 2 with rapid cycling…I’m still trying to get my head around having a label for why my life/mood has been screwed up for years.

What type of medication will they put me on? I’m not getting seen till the end of June and I want to read up on medications. I’m guessing I will be put on an anti-depressant and a mood stabiliser.

I’m 20 by the way.

A: Probably Lithium, for the mood stabiliser and any ones guess for the anti depressant.Lithium is an older type of anti psychotic, but it does give very good results.
You may find you have to juggle around until you and your gp & cpn, get the doses to suit.
My advice is to not read up too much on these drugs as the possible side effects can be off putting, bear in ,mind only a tiny % of people get the side effects mentioned!
:o )

Q: what is the impact of exercise on a person with Bipolar 2 disorder?
what is the impact of exercise on a person with Bipolar 2 disorder?
Can exercise bring down the symptoms of Bipolar 2 disorder?

A: I have BPII, like you. My doc has been telling me for years to exerise regularly. When I do exercise I feel better, even if temporarily. If I’m a little down, 30 min on a stationary bike does wonders. I don’t know from experience the long term effect, I can’t stick to anything.

Q: Can I pass my bipolar type 2 onto my children?
I have bipolar type 2. I am wanting to know if it is possible to pass the bipolar onto my children. I am not wanting children as yet as the timing with my treatment (medications etc) is not right but I am just curious to know if it will/can be passed on.

A: “Bipolar disorder tends to run in families, so researchers are looking for genes that may increase a person’s chance of developing the illness”

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder/complete-index.shtml

Q: If a diagnosis changes from schizophrenia to Bipolar Type 2, could disability payments stop?
I had to come off schizophrenia medication due to a potential heart problem. However, I did not have hallucinations and then I had no diagnosis. Four weeks later I had a Bipolar Symptom and now the diagnosis is Bipolar Type 2. My disability from Social Security was granted based on a schizophrenia diagnosis. Will I have to return to work based on my diagnosis changing or is Bipolar Type 2 a diagnosis where disability benefits can be received?

A: Your situation has changed. They will have to access your situation again.

Q: can a person with bipolar 2 disorder ger ssi after being denied a first time?
i was diagnosed with bipolar 2 disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, and avoiding personality disorder. i applied for ssi, but was denied because insufficient medical records. i appealed the case and added the doctor who diagnosed me with all the mental conditions. i am currently taking medication to help me with my depression and anxiety. does anyone believe i can get ssi based on mental illness?

A: Many people can work and function with a mental illness. I have a family member who is retired, but was a VP of a major global company, who also had a dx of bi-polar. If your bi-polar, via the guidelines of SSA are met then yes. Much would depend on your age and past work. First you have to be unable to perform ALL types of work for 12 months or more. First, there needs to be evidence of the severity of your condition. Are you able to perform daily activities, such as cleaning, making yourself food, if have family, get kids to school on time… Can you be social and have a lucid conversation? Is your speech fluid or flat? I would guess you would be found capable of performing simple unskilled work, thus if you have no other conditions going on you could still work. If you are an older person and performed skilled work and then found to only be able to do simple/unskilled work, then that could make one eligible. Most people think denials are just the format SSA does, but that is not true. Lack of good detailed records and people really not eligible is the biggest causes for denials.

Q: I had a Hospital evaluation 2 years ago to see if i was bipolar?
I had a Hospital evaluation 2 years ago to see if i was bipolar. They never diagnosed me with it but gave me low strength antidepresants just in case, a little more than a year ago they pulled me off them, Will this affect me joining the marines at all? Also Can anyone tell me where to look so i can get an in depth look at meps? Thanx.

A: Having Bipolar is an automatic disqualification from any of the armed forces….. I’m not sure about depression which is what they suspected if all they put you in was anti depressants, they do not put Bipolar people on anti depressants without a mood stabilizer because they can make you go manic if you are bipolar. I would be completely honest with your recruiter…… if you withhold this info and they find out later you’ll get a dishonorable discharge for fraud…

Q: how is erotomania in bipolar 2 with obsesion about 1 person folowed bydepresion diferent from schizoid?
personality disorder with erotomania and no interest in people. the mania is not nymphomania that involves lots of people. i get obsesion with 1 person followed by depression if i fail with that obsesion. i never have interest in people except with the obssession. is this schizoid or bipolar 2?

A: Bipolar or more likely OCD. Bipolar is ups and downs or in other words… sometimes you are and sometimes you aren’t. Schizoid PD is consistant. If you were schizoid you would not develop obsessions with other people ever.

Q: I was recently diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder 2 and need advice.?
Recently I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder 2. My family and friends know nothing about my disorder. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to tell them? It might sound ridiculous but it is hard for me to admit to anyone about my disorder (to people I know). If anyone can suggest any ways to ease my communication with family and friends I would be extremely grateful.

A: That can be really hard…I’ve been hospitalized for my Bipolar 2 and my family still doesn’t understand it. They admit that they don’t get it, but they don’t do anything to research or find anything out.

I recommend the book ‘Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder’ and going through it with them.
I don’t know how to bring it up with them, besides just going to the person you trust the most and confiding in them and deciding where to go from there.

Do some research yourself so that you can answer questions and explain to them what the disorder involves. Talk to your doctor– he should be more than willing to set up an appointment with some close family members. You’ll need a support network.

You don’t need to go in detail with your friends right now. Do confide in your close friends because, again, you’ll need a support network.
Good luck

Q: The base width of a bipolar transistor has increased by a factor of 2.how does the collector current change?
due to manufacturing error,The base width of a bipolar transistor has increased by a factor of 2.how does the collector current change?

A: if the base width doubles, the collector current is halved…the width between the holes in the sea of doping material being what determines the capacity of charged ions to fall into the sea of holes….pretty awkward sounding, but actually straight forward if enough thought is applied with out the muddling terminology.

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