Diagnosed with Bipolar 2

[LoopyLoux]

Evening all, hope you're all keeping well. This morning, after years of low mood and very little highs, I've been diagnosed by a psychiatrist with bipolar 2.

I am currently in a very low phase, and just feel really really, I don't know.. upset? Numb? Not sure really. There was so much to take in, and because it was an over the phone appointment I couldn't take it all in properly! I will be put on lithium, which I'm worried about as he said it can be quite harsh at first etc.

What I'd like to know is, if any of you have this, how are you all? How do you cope? Does the medication work? What happens from now on?

I just want to get back to normal, I just want to feel like "me" again. It's been about 5 years since I did, I barely recognise myself anymore. 😔

Hi, I've bipolar type 1 and am on a mood stabilizer too, sodium valproate. I know I don't have your exact diagnosis but didn't want to leave when you'd no replies.
The meds can be a bit tough, especially at first but hopefully most of the side effects will ease up for you within a few months.
I completely understand what you said about not feeling yourself or whether you feel tearful or numb, for me it feels like being detached in some way, you're experiencing emotion but blunted.
I don't usually talk about my own mental health but if you needed or wanted to message at any point, feel free to do so. Just before I go I have to say you've done amazing trying to work through it solo and it takes a lot to ask for help, at least now with the diagnosis and meds you'll be on your way to feeling more stable.

I have bipolar 2. I was diagnosed in 2012 and it took about 12 months to find the right medication to stablise me. For it was complicated by having a pretty bad depressive episode and I am super sensitive to antidepressants. I haven't been on lithium but it was next on my list to try if the quetiapine didn't work (it did) and I read lots of positive things about it. I hope that it helps you.
Do you have any questions? I can try my best to answer them.

Sorry just re-read your post.
How I cope is varied. I was diagnosed mid way through a PhD and the life that comes with a PhD made stability challenging. Since I've finished and am now in a lower stress more normal 9-5 job I generally cope quite well. My natural rhythm is be low from August to February and I have to be more vigilant and managing signs of low mood to prevent a depressive episode - putting therapeutic skills in place and maintaining a good routine of sleep, exercise and diet. From April - july my mood is more buoyant and I need to be aware of signs that my mood is going beyond good and putting things in place to slow life down to stop it escalating. My mood is fairly stable now but that is in part due to insight and awareness of early warning signs and years of experience of things that can start to minimise them. It takes time and practice and times of getting it wrong to find a balance.

There are various different types of medications that can be prescribed. Broadly speaking a mood stabiliser will lift your mood out of depression whilst not lifting it into an elevated mood state. For some people a single medication will be sufficient others might need more than one medication.
What happens next depends on what support is available through your local area which unfortunately with rather postcode specific.

Hiya, I’m type 2. I’m on lithium also. Been on it for almost a year now and I can say honestly it’s saved my life. The only side effects I’ve had is excessive thirst, but with regular blood tests it really is one of the safer options as far as medications go as it’s heavily monitored