Bipolar? Imaginary friends?

[flowerpower44]

I think I might be bipolar but haven't spoke to anyone about it yet.

I have loads of symptoms and have constant manic mood swings going from highs where I'm confident, happy, content. Loving life, loads of energy, super productive... to then being so low that I'm terribly anxious, depressed, crying and feeling suicidal. I also have periods when I feel 'normal' which sometimes last a few days to weeks. I currently take sertraline but I don't feel any better on it even after my dose was increased.

The symptoms for Bipolar also mention hallucinations and eventhough I don't physically see anything in real life I do imagine people in my head... to the point that if I'm speaking to one of them in the bedroom I will go to the bathroom to get changed because I don't want to get nude in front of them...

These people in my head are sometimes new people but other times it's existing people I currently know or younger versions of friends I used to have. My husband is one of them but not him as he is now. It's him when he was younger.

When I'm on my own I never feel alone because there's always someone there so I constantly feel like I'm being watched or just the same as I would if I did have real life company. I sometimes feel awkward eating in front of them too

Is any of this normal? I have an appointment with a CPN soon but I think when I mention bipolar they will just brush me off and think I'm being dramatic or just say it's just anxiety and depression

Bump x

Hi OP, maybe you should just describe your symptoms when you see the CPN and they can diagnose you based on that. They probably won’t take kindly to you doing that yourself.

You need to be seen by someone higher up than a CPN.. a clinical psychologist at least.. hope the CPN refers you..
Tell them absolutely everything.
My friend is like this.. she takes lithium.

How long do these mood swings last usually?

The mood swings are not constant with bipolar, they should last a period of time.

If you do think you have bipolar then you should really mention it as antidepressants can cause mania.

The RMN (nurse) will be a highly qualified HCP, experienced in conducting initial assessments and triaging.

Based on the discussion during the assessment, you will be triaged onwards to the appropriate intervention or diagnostic assessment.

@StringTheory1 sometimes I experience both highs and lows in one day. So I might wake up on a high and feel amazing, productive etc but if something triggers me it's like a switch goes off and I'll spiral into a low mood that I can't get out of. The trigger is usually something really small or irrational but it will have a major impact on my mood.

Without any triggers I'm on a high for a few days or weeks at a time but it's the same with the lows. I can be really depressed, cry at the drop of a hat, feel suicidal, for a good week or so until I have another high

@Moier - you think I sound like your friend? Was it easy for her to be diagnosed? Or did it take months / years ?

@Hermittrismegistus - if not bipolar then what do you think it might be?

Hi I do think some of what you describe is bipolar. The people in your head could be a form of psychosis the cause of which can be a number of mental illnesses. Are the characters telling you to do things?

Have you look into EUPD?

@Tomselleckhaskindeyes - no I dont think so.. they give me their opinion on things (which I think is actually my own opinion but they are reconfirming it)

So a stupid example is I try on an outfit, and they will say 'hmm, nah that top doesn't look good with those jeans' so I'll get changed.

Or If I'm supposed to be going somewhere like a party or event and I can't be bothered going anymore they'll say 'Well you could just be upfront and say you're not feeling it or just say somethings came up'

I'm not sure if that's them telling me to do stuff? But nothing like violent or dangerous

The people sound like maladaptive daydreaming could be involved

This doesn’t fit the pattern for bipolar affective disorder. You do sound emotionally dysregulated, which is hard, but it doesn’t sound like bipolar.

Have you looked into EUPD? If I were triaging you that’s what I’d have as a working diagnosis, and would recommend a screening for that, then DBT-style talking therapy to look at managing distress and recognising your emotional triggers / healthier coping strategies. I’d be looking if a history of trauma (especially given the characters in your head, which sounds like a learnt coping strategy). These figures may also fit in with one aspect of EUD (that of having a fragile sense of self) - perhaps your creation of these figures are part of you externalising your own thoughts / views / decision-making, if you have quite a vague sense of who “you” are?

I definitely don’t think that what you’re describing is bipolar disorder (which I have, and know quite a bit about professionally also).

I don’t think you should suggesting a possible diagnosis on this basis

The OP asked for opinions on what her difficulties might be. I gave my professional opinion on what her difficulties MIGHT be.

🤷🏼‍♀️

I notice that the psychiatrist who did the AMA recently, deliberately didn’t do that though. Fair enough if it is OK.

I didn’t diagnose. I gave my own personal opinion / advice, as asked for by the OP.

How does me suggesting her issues may be X differ from those people who are agreeing with the poster who things it’s Y ?

Have I missed something somewhere that says posters come on here saying “I think I’ve got X” and we all have to either agree or remain silent? Bizarre.

Personal opinion or professional opinion?

My opinion as a mumsnetter, and as someone with bipolar, and as a mental health nurse who does similar triaging and speaks to tonnes of people who say the exact same things OP does. But primarily as a mumsnetter, giving my opinion because we were asked for our opinions.

This thread just shows you can't rely on internet strangers.

Get some help, get assessed by a professional. You sound similar to me and I have BPD (also known as EUPD)- hallucinations and extreme emotions etc fit. But what do I know? Only my own experience.

Well said

This echoes exactly what I said - sounds like it fits with lots of peeps I know who have EUPD diagnoses.

It also doesn’t sound like it fits bipolar (which I personally have).

Im not sure why I was berated for my opinion above whilst others were allowed to share similar opinions 😔.

Anyway OP - the very best of luck with it all. The right type of treatment is out there and you can start to live well and manage your experiences, with the right support…. Good luck 💐

I wasn’t intending to berate you @StringTheory1
I was just concerned about whether it was ethical for a MH professional to be diagnosing randoms on the internet but I’m happy to accept that I was mistaken.

I'm not an expert, but I have bipolar, and it doesn't sound like bipolar to me.

Personally, I was put on an antidepressant before I was diagnosed with bipolar and it made me manic.

You may have borderline personality disorder?

All the best OP, hope you get it sorted ❤️