SCHIZOAFFECTIVE DISORDER & BIPOLAR DISORDER

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ive just had it suggested to me that i may have these conditions

Bi-polar disorder comes in several forms: alternating mood swings that go from extreme euphoria to extreme depression (sometimes referred to as Bi-polar Disorder II). Another variation is uni-polar depression or uni-polar euphoria or irritability (sometimes called Bi-polar Disorder I type). A person in a euphoric or manic phase is impulsive, has poor judgement, may be very charming and friendly, needs little sleep, may be very talkative (cannot be stopped), is distractible (has difficulty staying focused) and may become pleasure crazed (sex, drugs, spending money etc). In the depressed phase a person may be sad, tearful, suicidal, have little interest in pleasure, stay in bed, have extreme fatigue, and have difficulty concentrating.


Schizoaffective disorder is a periodic illness. That is, persons with this diagnosis can lapse in and out of its symptoms. The common symptoms of this disorder include depression, mania and psychotic symptoms. There may be a period of euphoria, followed by a period of severe depression. Psychotic features of the illness may include visual or auditory hallucinations, hearing voices, and a belief that one is being persecuted (paranoia). Grandiosity is another trait of this illness, but its occurrence is not as common as the psychotic features. These symptoms, in order to be classified as schizoaffective disorder, are not induced by a substance, such as marijuana, cocaine, etc. The periods of illness must be at least one week long to be classified as schizoaffective disorder, and can stretch over years, even decades. Delusions of persecution are known to last weeks, months, or even years. Schizoaffective disorder is less common than schizophrenia.

i dont want to see a docter how do i deal with this

i phoned the hotline and i feel worse

This isn't the answer you want... but you see a doctor. There's no way around it. You want treatment? You won't find that here. People here are willing to listen, and offer advice. That's not treatment. You will also find that none of us can prescribe you any medication that may be helpful in your situation. Again, need a doctor for that.

I know you don't want to see a doctor, but everyone has to do things that they don't necessarily want to do. That's just part of life. You don't have to like it. You will have to go through with this kind of thing from time to time.

I wouldn't be too shocked if I'm in a milder version
of where you are. But, I don't get the visions, without
inducing them. And, you seem to have more difficulty
maintaining control. I think that seeing a doctor may
be your only option, at least if you want to lead anything
close to a normal existence.

I think your very unlikely to manage bipolar disorder without expert help and that will include medication.

Well, I hate to play devil's advocate, but I must...

Medication is always a hit or miss thing. Been on a veritable smorgasboard of it myself. (Wow, I thought that was a word, yet spell-check gave the big negatory...) None of them helped me. That isn't to say that some drug wouldn't, but none I've tried. (At one point they thought bipolar could be the right DX, antipsychotic didn't do... well... anything. I think I'm immune to brain meds! )

Medication could help, and I don't mean to imply that medication that didn't work for me won't work for others, it is definitely worth exploring. One of the ones I was on worked really well for my mother. If nothing else, talking to a doctor to explore possible revisions to the initial diagnosis would be a good idea. That being said, it could take a different psychiatrist than the one that gave the initial diagnosis. Not all doctors are as well-trained as others. This applies to all doctors, psychiatrists included, hell, even psychologists, though they have a PhD or a PsyD instead of an MD. Multiple opinions is rarely a "bad" thing.

I would love to hear the non-drug treatment options for bipolar disorder.




That does not include ethanol unfornately.

Treatment? Gods, I wouldn't ever want to lose the
highs.





To be fair though, he makes more sense drunk than
most people ever do.

I didn't say there were other treatments, I merely was saying that (drug) treatment may or may not work. Better to try and fail than to not try at all.

And yes, ethanol works fantastic until I get depressed.

theres nothing i can do im going to kill myself

Look, there's no way that you can get
the help that you need from an online
community. You need a trained professional.
Try the number again - they should be able
to arrange something.

i know that but i dont want the dignosis

Why? You're hurting this much, it's not going
to make a bit of difference. It's pretty damned
clear that you can't handle this on your own.
It is even more clear that an online community
can't provide the help that you need. Since you
do want help (otherwise you wouldn't be posting),
get it from someone who can.

My wife was going to check herself into a mental
institution around your age. It might be the best
option. Normally, I would suggest the exact opposite,
but from what I see, you need serious professional
care.

im going to get dignosed with bipolar1 disorder or a form of schizophrenia

Maybe. And there are drugs which will help you. I have had a number of
friends who were diagnosed bi-polar, and who led reasonable lives.
Some need the help.