Could I be BIpolar II?

*edited upon request*

I think it is hard to tell here what is going on, in addition none of us are professionals and can only go by our own experiences. However, it does sound like you could have some sort of mood instability and you are certainly entitled to a second opinion. I would ask your GP about this and request to be seen by someone else saying you are worried that a mood disorder might be being missed. Good luck and let us know how you go.

Cracked

I'd say get a second opinion. Definitely sounds like something's going on with you. Whether its Bipolar I have no idea. But I'd get on top of this before it gets more out of control as Bipolar can when untreated.

Yeah - all roads see to be leading to me asking for another referral and "a second opinion".
That was my initial thought too and have been advised by several other people, including another Psychiatrist I met when having a little cry in the toilets following the awful interview a year ago with the Psychiatrist who assessed me. Since then a few people I have mentioned it to who know a bit about mental health issues either as workers or sufferers have said the same.
I have been writing a sort of "history" in case I go that route - so I do not forget to mention anything - which may have happened last time. For example, when asked about fluctuations in appetite and weight, I think I said I didn't have that - but later realised that I have had that and it is very related to my moods or happiness/unhappiness.
Also that Psych did not ask about family mental health - and although from the outside they seem fairly average/stable/normal - mine includes someone with severeish post natal depression, several who abuse alcohol to cope with ups and downs, several on anti-depressants, one person who made a suicide attempt, another who has depression and paranoia and anxiety and has had several admissions to hospital and is now stabilsed on huge amount of amytrypriline and other drugs, and another who is agorophobic and on large amounts of diazepam - and another who would never go near a doctor but who seems the most likely to have some kind of up and down mood issues who has often alternated for years between shouting and ranting at everyone, being subdued and downish (to the extent years ago of being almost suicidal - I stayed up all night with them talking them out of it) and being in hugely high spirits and constant activity.
I remember in the interview thinking that it seemed after about 20 mins tos he had made hs mind up about me. He questioned me about not working and seemed to be suggesting I was trying to get a diagnosis for purposes of getting benefits/welfare!! I did challenge that and told him that was not an issue.
He said in his report that I had never responded to anti-depressants which was just totally wrong - and I have gone into that in my history too, listing the ones I have been on and my response to them. I left the room really concerned that he was going to withdraw my sertraline because based on my past experience, I really feared for my quality of life without it. (I did not mention this to him - he never asked and I did ot think to mention it - but I pay a price for taking them in that it stops/reduces my creativity - I sometimes do some writing and painting - but take them anyway because I get so lifeless and down without them).
He ended up writing in his report that although he did not think I had a mood disorder that because I seemed to think they did me some good, that I coudl be left on sertraline!!!
So I alternate between thinking I should ask for a second opinion and fearing that I would be crushed if I got the same reaction again. Just not sure I can face risking it yet.
Think I will see how I get on with the Citalopram and take it from there.

I think he sounds very paternalistic and old fashioned. I would hope a different psych would have a different approach to how they treated you.

Cracked

Hi Cracked

Just edited my second post a bit - was correcting spelling which lead to adding some other bits - then saw you had replied to it.

There is also another bit of history which may be relevant - but I didn't like to include earlier - cos myposts are so long - and in case I sound paranoid or over-dramatic or something - but years ago that Psych treated - or rather failed to properly treat a friend of mine - and I know that and he knows I know. I wonder if that contributed to his "attitude" with me. I know he is a professional - but also human and a bit of a bad tempered, intolerant one in my experience.

It is difficult to say as he SHOULD be behaving as a professional but some of the things he has said such as leaving you on a med when he does not think you need it and only because he says you think you need it makes me question how professional he is. Not all psychs are like this and I really hope you get a good one and get a second opinion.

Cracked

Tavia wrote:So I alternate between thinking I should ask for a second opinion and fearing that I would be crushed if I got the same reaction again. Just not sure I can face risking it yet.
Think I will see how I get on with the Citalopram and take it from there.

Maybe it would be helpful to make a list of things that could help you build up your confidence enough to get that second opinion. Recently I've found that I can use writing to reason things out and help me build the strength to do the things that are difficult for me.

One of the things I'd suggest is asking around a little bit to build that confidence. If you have a family member or friend in medicine, you can say, "Do you know who has a good reputation for psychiatry?" I don't know how much freedom you have to shop around, though.

Well - coming on here is helping a bit - the feedback and opinions given in posts - and reading about others experiences.
Just felt very confused/invalidated/misunderstood after the psyciatrists assessment / diagnosis. felt lke a malingering, lazy, irresponsible, unhappy ( but not depressed, of course!) fraud or something.
Finishing my "history" would help me move forward. Will have to get back to it and do some more work on summarising it and making it more consise. It got to about 40 pages at one point - determined not to miss anything relevant - feel I am getting older and if I go back this could be my "last chance" at getting the proper diagnosis/treatment - and so I want to feel I covered everything and have no annoying niggles in my mind that I forgot to mention this or that possible symptom.
Did also get in touch with an advocacy worker wo would be willing to give me support if/when I get to the stage of submitting my history/letter and asking for a re-assessment.

Remember the doctor who referred me to Psychiatrist a year or so ago mentioned that if not hypomania, thre were other thing such as cyclothymia (and maybe dysthymia - but can't be sure) that could be going on.

Looked up "Emotional Instability" - which was his number one diagnosis of me - although followed up by the words - "not severe enough to attract a diagnosis of EIPD" - seems it is mentioned 3 times in the DSM-V - as a symptom of Borderline/EIPD and Biopolar and Sleep Deprivation.
Have also posted on Borderline Forum to get some feedback from that angle.
That thread is linked below - if amyone interested.
borderline-personality/topic70236.html
I am really appreciating the input/feedback I am getting - hope it will help me moveon - thanks folks

I am so glad you got an advocate for this as that could be really beneficial. I really hope you find some answers. Let us know how you are going.

Cracked