Bipolar II 101

I got prescribed new meds by my psychiatrist. Carbamazepine, to be exact. Common side effect include; dizziness, drowsiness, unsteadiness, nausea, and vomiting. Note, no weight gain! Though, as I’ve said before I’ve never been susceptible to side effects.

For those of you who don’t know I am on meds for Bipolar II and for those of you even more confused I will break down as best I can what Bipolar II is.

The first thing to know is that with bipolar II there are more depressive episodes and I do not get manic I get hypomanic. While I know this info, I am copying what wiki says since I will probably have a hard time conveying what I would say in person in this blog.

Depressive Episodes
Persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, anger, guilt, isolation, or hopelessness; disturbances in sleep and appetite; fatigue and loss of interest in usually enjoyable activities; problems concentrating; loneliness, self-loathing, apathy or indifference; depersonalization; loss of interest in sexual activity; shyness or social anxiety; irritability, chronic pain (with or without known cause); lack of motivation; and morbid suicidal ideation.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipolar_disorder#Signs_and_symptoms)

Hypomanic Episode
Hypomania is generally a mild to moderate level of mania, characterized by optimism, pressure of speech and activity, and decreased need for sleep. Generally hypomania does not inhibit functioning like mania Manny people with hypomania are actually in fact more productive than usual. Some people have increased creativity while other demonstrate poor judgment and irritability (I do both). Many people experience signature hypersexuality. These persons generally have increased energy and tend to become more active than usual. They do not, however, have delusions or hallucinations. Hypomania can be difficult to diagnose because it may masquerade as mere happiness, though it carries the same risks as mania.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipolar_disorder#Signs_and_symptoms)

I also rapid cycle when not on meds.

Rapid Cycling
Defined as having four or more episodes per year and is found in a significant fraction of individuals with bipolar. The definition of rapid cycling more frequently cited in literature (including the DSM) is at least four major depressive, manic, hypomanic, or mixed episodes are requested to have occurred during a 12-month period. There are references that describe very rapid (ultra-rapid) or extremely rapid (ultra-ultra or ultradian) cycling. One definition of ultra-ultra rapid cycling is defining distinct shits in mood within a 24-48 hour period. I both ultra and ultra-ultra cycle.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapid_cycling#Rapid_cycling)

One thing I do not like is people trying to tell me I don’t need meds or that they are a bunch of bologna. If I really put my mind to it I can function without them! Except, I can’t. People need to understand, I have a chemical imbalance in my head that needs to be regulated. I am very impressionable and can be convinced to stop my meds. What happens when I’m off my meds? Well aside from the above it also heightens the symptoms of my borderline (a lot of which are the same as bipolar so now you have a symptom times 2).

So, this concludes our psychology lesson for today. Don’t worry there won’t be any tests!