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Q: Can I Be Sure it's BP II? & Lithium
I was just diagnosed with Bipolar II and put on 900 mg of Lithium.
The diagnosis was based on a few meetings with a psychiatrist. I
talked about my frequent and sometimes severe insomnia, my inability to
concentrate on reading materials due to my mind racing off into new directions,
and my rapid swings from depression to euphoria. I was previously on
Wellbutrin for depression, which had some positive effect in alleviating the
depression, but the elevated state I found myself in alos made concentration and
focusing and therefore productive work difficult. In addition, the obsessive
thoughts that accompanied my depression lessened some, but not as much as I
would like.
In any case, based on some research I've done, I accepted his diagnosis without
too much doubt or resistance. But the boundaries of Bipolar II seem to be
quite nebulous-how can I be sure that this is really what I have? What
should I notice with Lithium, and how soon, before I can tell whether it is
having some positive effect.
I'm a 35 year old prefessional female in good physical health.
Thank you
Dear Mary --
Unfortunately, you're definitely right about the nebulous boundaries. Try
the section on diagnosis and diagnosis details on my site
about BPII. Lithium should make things seem less "swinging",
if you will; it's supposed to land you roughly in the middle of your swings,
stop the swings, and protect you against subsequent swings. Takes about
3-7 days to know if something's going to happen, once you hit the sufficient
dose (per the guidelines of your doctor; careful about going up, and follow
directions) -- which we don't know in advance.
Dr. Phelps
Published November, 2001
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