Bipolar Disorder vs Depression – 5 Signs You’re Likely Bipolar

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I define a Bipolar episode in a previous video. You can see that here: https://youtu.be/ydLWlAqCpLA

I just know I'm off😂 and diagnosedin my 20s with "chemical imbalance "

34 years of struggle here. I'm honestly just exhausted of trying to figure out what the hell is going on here, wish I could just quit. I mean I can but, you know

I was hypomanic for years and years; I liked it very much …. my paternal grandma had bi-polar..

Cause your country is radioactive

I recently found out my ex wife has bipolar 25 years later, she lived this secret double life.
I found her on a prostitute website

Dr. Tracey, this video is so enlightening! Your breakdown of the 5 signs that depression might actually be part of bipolar disorder is incredibly helpful, especially the point about early onset before age 20 and the cycling of episodes. The way you explained how antidepressants can sometimes make things worse for bipolar folks really clarified why getting the right diagnosis is so crucial. I also appreciate the nod to Dr. Gary Sachs’ Bipolarity Index—it adds such credibility. This is such a great resource for anyone wondering about their symptoms or trying to understand a loved one’s experience. Can’t wait for your Bipolar 1 vs. Bipolar 2 video! Thanks for making mental health so accessible.

It's true that an agitated response to an antidepressant could indicate bipolar, but not necessarily. There are many other factors to consider. First off, mental illness is a combination of (quite possibly) hundreds of different genes that create not 5 or 6, but hundreds of different unique disorders. Two people could present with the exact same symptoms of depression, yet the underling cause is completely different. For example, one patient may have some dysfunctional gene regulating serotonin neurotransmission. Another patient, may have nothing wrong with serotonin, but instead have something wrong with endorphins, endocannabinoids or neuropeptides. The point is that for many patients with depression, an SSRI simply isn't addressing the core issue that is causing their depression. SSRIs are known to cause akathisia in many people. Akathisia by itself is not bipolar, but it can look a lot like it. Patients may feel the need to continuously move, or act. Akathisia can also cause pressure of speech for some people. SSRIs can cause intense startup anxiety for people. For some people this effect never goes away. Acute anxiogenic responses to SSRIs are even noted in animal models. Some studies suggest that the activation of 5-ht2c receptors may be involved. Some studies have looked for genes that corelate with these anxiogenic responses. The SS variant of the serotonin transporter, for example, is strongly associated with poor responses to SSRIs and increased side effects. Some older psychiatrists noted that the TCAs were far more effective at treating 'agitated depression'. Nowadays, many of these patients get trialed on an SSRI and then subsequently labeled bipolar and put on mood stabilizers. Personally, I feel that we need gentler and more effective antidepressants. People don't need serotonin boosted in their entire brain (including amygdala, which causes anxiety) and body. They may only need higher serotonin in their hippocampus or prefrontal cortex. The point is that these meds are not really selective. They are still kind of a sledgehammer that help some people, but not many others. Way into the future, I feel like we are going to be able to better identify and target a whole range of 'depressive' disorders with very disparate etiologies in a much more nuanced way. We will be able to look back and say "ah, so here's what's actually wrong, and here's why SSRIs made you look bipolar". One last thought – in mice, you can induce manic like behavior simply by suppressing REM sleep. When REM sleep is suppressed, dopamine d2 receptor systems become hyperactive. SSRIs (especially in early treatment) are known to suppress (or even abolish) REM sleep. So, is it bipolar, or just lack or restorative sleep. The MAOIs were discovered based on their ability to make even normal people euphoric. So, antidepressants (at least for some) could be bipolar-memetic, even though they don't really have traditional bipolar genetics.

I wish my family understood. I had a manic episode at the beginning of the year and lost health insurance and can't get the meds I need. Now I only leave the house for work. Every night I tell myself I'll do better the next day but I just can't do it. And my family just wants me to get over it.

before you got to number 3…YES!!! I thinking have bipolar disorder

I have been on disability income and unable to do much since about age 15. The circumstances around that are questionable but the result was much less productivity and much more social isolation.

I was diagnosed bipolar 1 after years of ADHD, anxiety and major depressive diagnosis with bouts of suicidal activity.

My major issues wound up being limited social activity, an isolating environment and lack of exercise and creative fulfillment.

This had my symptoms bouncing around wildly… between putting on a manic face for people when stepping out of the suicidal ideation being stuck in my father’s basement.

It wasn’t until being taken off of Seroquel that I was able to start healing through therapy and social connections.

Its Funny How Doctors in the WORLD Won't Cure Their Patiences anymore, they Just Treat them. WHY don't they Help anymore The MIGHTY DOLLAR!!. its a Chain Reaction. EVERYONE gets PAY. this is why The world Depends on MEDICATION. Why We have a Opioid Epidemic. So thank your doctor for not Curing your Symptoms

What happens if you have bipolar disorder?And you never had pills in your life.
What can that cause for you

Living with Bipolar is scary may God heal all of us 😢

Not me watching this with a bipolar diagnosis 💔