by Renee Ruby

Created on: June 15, 2009

Bipolar Disorder: Early Diagnosis is Key

Almost four years ago, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This diagnosis was not a happy one as I was put out with being labeled "manic" by my doctor and best friend. However, it was the beginning of a mental healing process. You see, I had been dealing with this disorder for longer than I can recollect without knowing I had it. I could not keep friends and got "burned out" on jobs easily. I absolutely hated working and many times my mood swings offended customers and fellow employees. The swing time of my moods were misdiagnosed as hormonal and clinical depression. I spent years going from one medication to another only to have it work not at all or just temporarily. I underwent talk therapy which was absolutely no help except that I had someone whom I could talk. Of course, she was paid to do so. It was only when a good friend got involved that we finally got to the bottom of the problem. Getting friends or family involved is also key to early and correct diagnosis. Also, a "feelings" journal may also help. Just keep an accurate account of when you have mood swings and what kind they are.

Bipolar can present itself as many different mental ailments. Among them are clinical depression, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, ADD, and others. Many of these can be a secondary ailment to bipolar. It is very beneficial to let your doctor know what you are going through. However, many times it comes out sounding like something other than bipolar. This is because of the mood swings, also known as "episodes" in bipolar. The day you speak to your doctor, you may have just experienced or be experiencing a depressive episode. Therefore, you relate to your doctor these feeling and the diagnosis is clinical depression. A week later, you have a manic episode and chalk it up to needing more medication or it not having taken effect yet.

Anyone already diagnosed with bipolar understands "episodes". But if you have not been diagnosed yet, you have no clue as to what an episode is yet. In bipolar disorder, three noted "episodes" affect a bipolar individual. These are: depressive, hypermanic and hypomanic. A depressive episode is exactly what it implies. Feeling depressed, blue, out of sorts on different levels. Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness are also common in depressive episode. Hypomanic episode are feelings of extreme irritability and aggravation. Sometimes women mistake these episodes as PMS symptoms, not even realizing

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