posted
someone I know was previously diagnosed with chronic depression.
They were on zoloft which helped greatly.
Things were better and the side effects were getting worse, so they quit taking it months ago with no obvious detrimental effects.
Recently they have been tired a lot, but this is linked to a low thyroid problem their doctor isn't ready to medicate yet. The patient is ready to change doctors.
Recently I have noticed that they will take on projects with enthusiasm. Later doubts and stress will cause them to swear off such projects ever again, and to doubt their abilitiy to handle such projects.
An example was a new Dog that suddenly became a priority. Within three weeks from someone randomly mentioning a dog needing a new home, they had gone and found a suitable dog and brought it into their house.
Two weeks later they were debating taking it back to the shelter because they thought they couldn't handle it.
Now this person wants to make a life altering change. It is one that was on the back burner for a long time, but suddenly is being pushed forward with speed and enthusiasm that has me spinning.
Two weeks ago they were thinking a previous similar decision was too much for them, and possibly a mistake. Now they want to do it again.
Does this sound like bi-polar behavior or am I just too worried. This could be simply a person who changes thier mind as the circumstances change.
Posts: 11895 | Registered: Apr 2002
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posted
I wouldn't be surprised if this person were fast-cycling bipolar. Sounds like they could be fluctuating between mild depression and hypomania.
This person might benefit from keeping a mood journal. At the end of every day, they mark their overall mood on a scale that ranges from -10 (severely depressed) to +10 (manic). One useful benefit of this kind of journal would be to see whether the ups and downs are getting more severe. Another benefit is that the person is more aware of their moods and where they're likely headed next. Being aware is good for coping and taking countermeasures.
Posts: 5957 | Registered: Oct 2001
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quote: Recently I have noticed that they will take on projects with enthusiasm. Later doubts and stress will cause them to swear off such projects ever again, and to doubt their abilitiy to handle such projects.
An example was a new Dog that suddenly became a priority. Within three weeks from someone randomly mentioning a dog needing a new home, they had gone and found a suitable dog and brought it into their house.
Two weeks later they were debating taking it back to the shelter because they thought they couldn't handle it.
This is classic manic behavior--a huge burst of enthusiasm and energy behind a project, in this case a new dog.
Followed by frustration and abandonment of the project when difficulties set in.
Then it's on to the next project'd'jour.
quote: Now this person wants to make a life altering change.
People with bipolar disorder need to be cautious with sudden, big, irreversable changes in their lives. But caution is against their nature, especially if they are manic or hypomanic ( a less intense form of the manic phase.)
Dan, I would advise you to tell your friend to take his or her time--what's the rush?? And if you know his or her family to talk to them, perhaps. Though that can lead to a feeling of betrayal, of course.
If the person is bipolar but unmedicated, he or she might have a very hard time listening to advice.
Also,
quote: Things were better and the side effects were getting worse, so they quit taking it months ago with no obvious detrimental effects.
This would not be unexpected, possibly even common (you'd have to ask a real dr).
After stabilizing, a patient could go off meds and not be sypmtomatic for a period, then symptoms can reemerge. Good luck with your friend Dan! Posts: 6316 | Registered: Jun 2003
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posted
One of my best friends was misdiagnosed as bipolar in college, and medicated for it. His symptoms were similar to what you described, and he also seemed to be a faster-than normal cycle on the bipolar swings. The medication he was put on for bipolar eliminated ALL emotion from his life.
In his case, it wasn't actually bipolar. He has an obsessive personality disorder that didn't manifest the compulsions of OCD. His obsessions manifested emotionally instead. When he had something to be happy about, he'd obsess over it and seem manically energetic and happy. When he had something to be sad about he'd obsess over that and seem depressed for days or weeks. Once he had a better psychiatrist than the free student-health one assigned him, the diagnosis was corrected, his therapy helped, and he hasn't needed to be on meds for years now.
Obviously, a forum is not the most reliable source of diagnosis for your friend. If you're concerned about your friend's upcoming decision, encourage him to consult a professional. Amatuer psychology, while a favorite hobby of mine, can be dangerous in the wrong circumstances.
quote: Obviously, a forum is not the most reliable source of diagnosis for your friend. If you're concerned about your friend's upcoming decision, encourage him to consult a professional. Amatuer psychology, while a favorite hobby of mine, can be dangerous in the wrong circumstances.
*agrees very strongly*
The best thing to do, honestly, is to encourage your friend to seek out a qualified psychiatrist or psychologist to make a clinical evaluation. I could sit here and rattle off a list of things that MIGHT have happened or diagnoses that MIGHT apply, but it ultimately won't do much good and could do quite a bit of harm.
posted
I agree with getting a professional involved.
Also, good treatment means treating thyroid conditions that interfere with mood before trying it from a purely psych approach.
Posts: 14745 | Registered: Dec 1999
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