Not sure that I have bipolar

I know that nobody can diagnose me here, and that is not my intention. All of it would take too long to explain, but due to recent events, I have eliminated BPD from my diagnosis, and now I am beginning to believe that I do not have bipolar.

For one thing, I have identified the cause for my past depression, and it is definitely not related to bipolar or any depressive disorder.

What my question is, does anyone think it is possible for stress related paranoia, or extreme stress in general, to mimick symptoms of mania? I have had episodes where, I wouldn't say I had racing thoughts, but rather an inability to concentrate, and full of energy, unable to settle down or sleep, but it seems that it was during periods of extreme stress and obsessing over problems. Otherwise I cannot recall ever having these episodes.

I will be asking my psychologist about this, but does anyone think that this is possible? I could be completely wrong, but it is just one possible avenue that I am considering.

Well, I'd say it's definitely possible. Still, what you describe sounds more like hypomania to me. I've never experienced full blown mania, but I can relate to having excessive energy, not being able to concentrate, etc. For example, a couple of days ago I couldn't sleep. I tried reading, but my mind was unable to focus. I was able to pass the time drawing, though. The following day I was so energized that I spent 2h exercising. That's a lot for me, I don't exercise at all usually. For me, these are symptoms of hypomania (along with a bunch of other stuff).

blank identity wrote:it was during periods of extreme stress and obsessing over problems.

Are you sure that stress and obsessing caused these symptoms or was it the other way around? Sometimes when I feel like that I can obsess over stuff and feel extremely stressed out. In my case I'm sure it's from the bipolar, since there's not much in my life to stress about. I know it's hard to differentiate, but I think it's worth considering.

You should definitely talk this over with your psychologist! I hope together you can figure it out.

When reading your posts and blogs, I feel this overwhelming sadness. You are a very strong person, to go through this, and your are coming out stronger all the time. I hope that you find a good therapist, who can help you through it.

For my part I can say, I have also questioned my diagnosis. Getting a diagnosis is one pathway to healing, and i suppose we go down many such pathways on the way. Even if you and your therapist decide you don't have bipolar, feel free to post here any time you like with updates.

Sorry for the late reply. Thank you both, and thank you bipolarbirdie. In time I will find out if I really have bipolar or not, but right now it's looking like I really don't. But in the meantime I am continuing to take my lithium as prescribed.

You are right and I appreciate your comment. I have found an inner strength that I never knew that I had, and the things I have been going through over the last few months have been a struggle, but I am slowly working my way through it. In time I will succeed.

invicta wrote:

blank identity wrote:it was during periods of extreme stress and obsessing over problems.

Are you sure that stress and obsessing caused these symptoms or was it the other way around? Sometimes when I feel like that I can obsess over stuff and feel extremely stressed out. In my case I'm sure it's from the bipolar, since there's not much in my life to stress about. I know it's hard to differentiate, but I think it's worth considering.

You should definitely talk this over with your psychologist! I hope together you can figure it out.

From my experience extreme stress&looming failure is what triggers my hypos out of cycle.. Last autumn my state of mind felt like ping-pong ball, figuratively speaking, going from a sudden spike of stress to another skipping the depression in-between.

Regardless, I'll stay with my opinion that it hardly matters what label you've got long as you've figured out symptoms and their triggers, if any, and learnt either how to deal with them or found meds/therapy that helps you.