Bipolar Disorder
 

I was just diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder a week ago and have never felt happier...well for a while that is.
I want to give out a warning to girls,women, young ladies right now, please be wise in choosing birth control pills/contraceptives. My bipolar disorder was triggered from birth control pills back in February when I discontinued them. Birth control pills change the hormone chemistry in the brain and etc.
Back in February, I began taking birth control pills to be "safe" since I was sexually active with my boyfriend; however, I had to stop birth control within 3 weeks because I developed a yeast infection from the birth control pills; it literally made my body do a flip-flop motion. My anxiety shot through the roof, I was having panic attacks left and right, I thought I was dying, everything felt like it was a dream-state, and I became anti-social and over analyzed things.
I went 2-3 months not knowing what was wrong with me and had a CT, MRI, and EEG performed on me and everything came back perfect. I had thoughts of suicide and thoughts of where I thought I was "evil" or "bad." It truly was a traumatic experience for me and sometimes suicide felt like the right path, but I battled through it and will never stoop that low. Last week, I started taking a mood stabilizer to help get everything back in balance. So far, I've completely transformed back into the me that I love and missed. I no longer want to hurt myself (not that I ever did) or even think about suicide. I just want anyone out there to know about Bipolar Disorder that it IS treatable and you are not the only one and do not suffer alone. You can get through it no matter how dark times may get, anyone can overcome it with love and support but overall determination and confidence in YOURSELF. :)

That's great that you figured things out! I know how hard it can be diagnosed with with Bipolar disorder through a friend of mine. He was told that he had depression, but things didn't get better...in fact they got worse. So, when he was finally given the correct diagnoses he was so relieved and happy about it.

Just so you know, people are treated for bipolar disorder incorrectly all the time. Trust me, I was one of them.

You are what you believe to be, as they say. ;]

Very true. It just sounds like the disorder to be more manic depression or even depression. I'm not a doctor so I can't diagnose anyone. I have something called Borderline Personality Disorder which can only be diagnosed by someone at the age of 18 or older.

Congratulations on figuring out and good for you that you're a big enough person to admit that you need help and take your stabilizers. I know a few people who were diagnosed with Bipolar disorder and just refuse to take their meds. Its makes life difficult on them and everyone around them, but there's nothing that can be done.

I have bipolar and I hate that when people say that I have autism just because it was easier for doctors to say that I have autism than to look over and test me to get the real diagnoses XP

So I've been through my whole life being misdiagnosed and that put me through hell especially where I was taught (schools) how to react to things and how to cope and socialize.

But to tell the truth I was just a quiet kid cause there were no other kids to play with and we were sheltered from the outside world. ANd if I did try to play with other kids they would make fun of me and I shut down and withdrawn myself from that area then my teachers yell at me for that as well as my mom.

Oh I am aware of this. It's part of the reason I'm so against doctors prescribing medication so quickly. A good chunk of people are really messed up because of doctors just giving people a pill instead of sitting down and talking to the person and asking why they might be feeling like that.

I am not saying that all medication is bad. I'm just saying that more thought should be given before giving out medication.

I know about this because I was a social work major and am a sociology major currently and have had many talks with my professors about this.

@Gallowsraven - I was on Ortho Try Cylcen normal dosage, I was supposed to be on the low dosage but it was my mistake to go to the health dept. and let them prescribe them to me :/
As for depression, I was misdiagnosed with that about a month ago and took anti-depressants which made it worse. They thought I may have had manic depression and a personality disorder too but I went to numerous doctors and one finally listened to me and I tried a new med and it works now and makes my life feel normal again but I will be safe with which medication doctors throw at me and ask them why I should be on them and what for! Thanks for giving the heads up and thank you for Everything y'all said ^^

See? Point proved. The doctor took the time to listen to you and then figured out what was really wrong. I am not saying it's a person fault, I blame society. We're taught from an early age that to make things better all we have to do is take a pill.

Sorry, rant over. XD

I'm really glad that you got it figured it out MoonPrincess! ^^

I used to talk to myself while playing with dolls while I was younger O.o imagination? lol

I know I'm not normal, I don't think any individual is normal actually xD we all have our quirks and what not. I have an aunt who tries to make herself better than me and when I act hyper or just myself she has to go and tell my mom or grandmother -_-

It's good to be diagnosed so you know what you are dealing with. But please check things for yourself, what possibilities you have in treatment. So far in your story I read only about the depression side of your bipolar disorder not the manic state.
I was diagnosed for bipolar disorder (II) as well. But I have always refused to take medicine and I asked for another form of treatment. I got therapy where I learned to catch up on signs of manic state. A manic state takes up so much energy and strength that it can throw you back into a depression. Often the higher the manic the deeper the depression.
Currently I'm pretty stable, but it's a lot of work.
What I meant to say is, there are other options then medicine only. You can combine meds with therapy or just therapy.

As for your suicidal thoughts, it's common for depression and bipolar disorder. It's the greatest worry actually. I'd say make sure you have a back-up plan ready. Make it when you feel ok. Ask friends, family or professional help, to be there when the thoughts are coming back to you. Do not isolate yourself.
Just hope all goes well for you. I know how tough it can be.