please help!!!

Hi, based on your last post, it sounds like you could possibly have ADHD. This just goes to show how it could be so many different things... the best thing to do would be to consult a medical professional to get a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

A. Either (1) or (2):

(1) Inattention: at least *6* of the following symptoms of
inattention have persisted for at least 6 months to a
degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with
developmental level:

(a) often fails to give close attention to details or
makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other
activities;

(b) often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or
play activities;

(c) often does not seem to listen to what is being said to
him/her;

(d) often does not follow thru on instructions and fails
to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the
workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure
to understand instructions);

(e) often has difficulties organizing tasks and activities;

(f) often avoids or strongly dislikes tasks (such as
schoolwork or homework) that require sustained mental
effort;

(g) often loses things necessary for tasks or activities
(e.g., school assignments, pencils, books, tools, or
toys);

(h) is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli;

(i) often forgetful in daily activities.

(2) Hyperactivity-Impulsivity: at least *4* of the following
symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have persisted for
at least 6 months to a degree that is maladaptive and
inconsistent with developmental level:

Hyperactivity:

(a) often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat;

(b) leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in
which remaining seated is expected;

(c) often runs about or climbs excessively in situations
where it is inappropriate (in adolescents or adults,
may be limited to subjective feelings of
restlessness);

(d) often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure
activities quietly.

Impulsivity:

(e) often blurts out answers to questions before the
questions have been completed;

(f) often has difficulty waiting in lines or awaiting turn
in games or group situations.

All of your symptoms fit this perfectly, especially that your fast rate of speech has been present all of your life. In bipolar the fast talking starts only when the bipolar develops; in ADHD it's present since early childhood.

Like you said, you seem to be reacting to stress in your life right now -- these behaviors are normal stress reactions. If your behaviors are impairing then you have a disorder -- if not, you would not be diagnosed as having a mental illness. It's like having pneumonia versus having a flu. Both are uncomfortable, but you can cope with the latter on your own, while you have to receive serious medical attention for the former.

Have a good day!

Definitely talk to a psychiatrist about it.

I have similar symptoms, was treated for depression and anxiety in the past, and was recently re-diagnosed as having Bipolar 1 with mixed episodes. The mixed episodes are weird - kind of like having energy and some symptoms of depression at the same time (irritablility, anger, anxiety). Sometimes I just have a lot of energy and joke around and talk to everybody. I also fall into occasional full blown depression. This particular thing is often misdiagnosed as many of the disorders mentioned in the above posts.

It seems they are almost re-defining Bipolar Disorder in recent years. Used to be only patients with the classic and very severe symptoms were given the diagnosis. Now they are looking more closely at patients who exibit both depression and anxiety to see if they maybe really have a mild form of Bipolar Disorder.

Do your research but this is a tricky one...you really should try to get the opinion of a Pdoc.

Hi all,

As many of you know I too am dx'd with bipolar 1 with mixed. As described above mixed can be to me 'whacky', that is my description of how i feel during these episodes.

bipolar 1 is mostly manic, or high pole, rambling, spending, insomnia, confusion, grandiosity, irritability, and if let go without sleep, psychosis.

When I'm in mixed, it just all rolled into a ball, but irritablity is my problematic sx. A pole I'm not accumstomed to.

When I have my low pole or depression, again, irritability, hopelessness, suic*dal ideation, lack of energy, vivid nightmears, too much sleep, no appetite, ( some just the opposite), but I just can't stand food when I am depressed.

But you know I really think it's the Allegra D, I can't take any allergy meds because of these side affects. The prevacid shows you have some stomach problems. Is your anxiety causing these?

Two important questions. How old are you?
When you started taking the Allegra D, is that when this started?

Usually any bipolar symptoms comes one the first time with a raging fury. Either with an uncontrollable manic episode, or a depressed one.

Print this out and make an appt with a qualified m.d. to start with, then if he/she see the sx's of bipolar without you mentioning it, then they will refer you to a psychdoc, for further eval. Please take any meds in with you that you are currently taking.

I am sendin gyou the dsm iv description. and the side affects of your meds.

_______________

The definitions given below are from Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, 1994 (American Psychiatric Association, 1400 K Street NW, Suite 1101, Washington, DC 20005-2403 USA).
Bipolar I Disorder--Diagnostic Features (DSM-IV, p. 350)
The essential feature of Bipolar I Disorder is a clinical course that is characterized by the occurrence of one or more Manic Episodes or Mixed Episodes. Often individuals have also had one or more Major Depressive Episodes. Episodes of Substance-Induced Mood Disorder (due to the direct effects of a medication, or other somatic treatments for depression, a drug of abuse, or toxin exposure) or of Mood Disorder Due to a General Medical Condition do not count toward a diagnosis of Bipolar I Disorder. In addition, the episodes are not better accounted for by Schizoaffective Disorder and are not superimposed on Schizophrenia, Schizophreniform Disorder, Delusional Disorder, or Psychotic Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. . . .



Bipolar II Disorder--Diagnostic Features (DSM-IV, p. 359)
The essential feature of Bipolar II Disorder is a clinical course that is characterized by the occurrence of one or more Major Depressive Episodes accompanied by at least one Hypomanic Episode. Hypomanic Episodes should not be confused with the several days of euthymia that may follow remission of a Major Depressive Episode. Episodes of Substance- Induced Mood Disorder (due to the direct effects of a medication, or other somatic treatments for depression, a drug of abuse, or toxin exposure) or of Mood Disorder Due to a General Medical Condition do not count toward a diagnosis of Bipolar I Disorder. In addition, the episodes are not better accounted for by Schizoaffective Disorder and are not superimposed on Schizophrenia, Schizophreniform Disorder, Delusional Disorder, or Psychotic Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. . . .



Criteria for Major Depressive Episode (DSM-IV, p. 327)
A. Five (or more) of the following symptoms have been present during the same 2-week period and represent a change from previous functioning; at least one of the symptoms is either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure.
Note: Do not include symptoms that are clearly due to a general medical condition, or mood-incongruent delusions or hallucinations.
depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by either subjective report (e.g., feels sad or empty) or observation made by others (e.g. appears tearful). Note: In children and adolescents, can be irritable mood.

markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day (as indicated by either subjective account or observation made by others)

significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain (e.g., a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month), or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day. Note: In children, consider failure to make expected weight gains.

insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day

psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day (observable by others, not merely subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down)

fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day

feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt (which may be delusional) nearly every day (not merely self-reproach or guilt about being sick)

diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day (either by subjective account or as observed by others)

recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide

B. The symptoms do not meet criteria for a Mixed Episode.
C. The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
D. The symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition (e.g., hypothyroidism).
E. The symptoms are not better accounted for by bereavement, i.e., after the loss of a loved one, the symptoms persist for longer than 2 months or are characterized by marked functional impairment, morbid preoccupation with worthlessness, suicidal ideation, psychotic symptoms, or psychomotor retardation.



Criteria for Manic Episode (DSM-IV, p. 332)
A. A distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood, lasting at least 1 week (or any duration if hospitalization is necessary).
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:
inflated self-esteem or grandiosity

decreased need for sleep (e.g., feels rested after only 3 hours of sleep)

more talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking

flight of ideas or subjective experience that thoughts are racing

distractibility (i.e., attention too easily drawn to unimportant or irrelevant external stimuli)

increase in goal-directed activity (either socially, at work or school, or sexually) or psychomotor agitation

excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have a high potential for painful consequences (e.g., engaging in unrestrained buying sprees, sexual indiscretions, or foolish business investments)

C. The symptoms do not meet criteria for a Mixed Episode.
D. The mood disturbance is sufficiently severe to cause marked impairment in occupational functioning or in usual social activities or relationships with others, or to necessitate hospitalization to prevent harm to self or others, or there are psychotic features.
E. The symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication, or other treatments) or a general medical condition (e.g., hyperthyroidism).
Note: Manic-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 I Disorder.



Criteria for Mixed Episode (DSM-IV, p. 335)
A. The criteria are met both for a Manic Episode and for a Major Depressive Episode (except for duration) nearly every day during at least a 1-week period.
B. The mood disturbance is sufficiently severe to cause marked impairment in occupational functioning or in usual social activities or relationships with others, or to necessitate hospitalization to prevent harm to self or others, or there are psychotic features.
C. 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).



Criteria for Hypomanic Episode (DSM-IV, p. 338)
A. A distinct period of persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood, lasting throughout at least 4 days, that is clearly different from the usual nondepressed 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:
inflated self-esteem or grandiosity

decreased need for sleep (e.g., feels rested after only 3 hours of sleep)

more talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking

flight of ideas or subjective experience that thoughts are racing

distractibility (i.e., attention too easily drawn to unimportant or irrelevant external stimuli)

increase in goal-directed activity (either socially, at work or school, or sexually) or psychomotor agitation

excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have a high potential for painful consequences (e.g., engaging 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.

res:http://www.fortunecity.com/campus/psychology/781/dsm.htm#

__________________________________

Some acquired infor on your Allegra,
Do not take fexofenadine and pseudoephedrine close to a dose of an antacid that contains aluminum or magnesium such as Rolaids, Maalox, Mylanta, Milk of Magnesia, Pepcid Complete, and others. These antacids may decrease the effects of fexofenadine and pseudoephedrine

res: and more info....................http://www.drugs.com/Allegra-D/index.html

_________________________

I too have the !@#@ scenerio. I have Arsonphobia- Fear of fire.
This can cause great hypersensitivity in those with combo anxiety, or a ptsd release. My grandmothers house burned to the ground with all the family photos. plus I had a body shop right next to a fire station. I used to follow the firetrucks if they headed my houses direction. or call my answering machine to make sure it picked up and was still there.

Here is a page dedicated to that.

http://www.phobia-fear-release.com/fear-of-fire.html

This still sounds to me so much like anxiety disorder. Hence irratability is caused by confusion during the attack. Or a feeling of being out of control.
http://anxiety.psy.ohio-state.edu/gad-dsm-.htm

Anxiety Disorders

Acute Stress Disorder (acute psychological consequences of previous trauma)
Agoraphobia (generalized irrational fear)
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (nonspecific anxiety)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (obessive thoughts and compulsive rituals)
Panic Disorder (unprovoked panic attacks)
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (nonacute psychological consequences of previous trauma)
Separation Anxiety Disorder
Social Phobia (irrational fear of embarrassment)
Specific Phobia (other specific irrational fears)

I hope thru the process of elimination it might narrow things down for you.

Here is a mood chart to fill out to take to your doc, you will need acrobat reader for it. choose Blank chart. http://www.healthyplace.com/communities ... _chart.asp

All my best.