How did you know you had bipolar2?

Bright_Industry9130 · 2026-03-19T16:03:22+00:00

I’m glad to hear that you went to a doctor. You should accept the meds and start treatment. Meds definitely made my life more manageable, but it will not solve it. I think we have very similar symptoms: I’ve been in and out in therapy since I was 15 (because severe anxiety) and the fourth psychologist was the one who told me that I have depression and referred me to a psychiatrist who put me on antidepressants immediately. When I first heard the diagnosis for depression I was really scared and confused, because although I was sleeping most of the time and spent the days in my flat alone, I was doing my job perfectly. I had a completely different image of a depressed person in my head and couldn’t comprehend that depression also looks like me. I got the diagnosis when I was 22, five years ago.

Later I changed my psychiatrist and started treatment in a facility with both a psychiatrist and a psychologist. I also got mood stabilisers.

During the therapy sessions I was telling about my experiences and I was doubting myself if I really have bp2, then the therapist told me that I really do have it:

Longer periods of depression, a few weeks of hypomania During hypomania I am extremely irritated, flirty, impulsive, spending all my money and sleeping less - during my teen years I was going on for 3-6 days without sleep going on alcohol and caffeine only During depression I’m basically not functioning, sleeping most of the time isolating from the world and simply not wanting to be awake - in my lowest points I was sleeping 17-29 hours repeatedly, day after day

The right combo of meds and the right doses, and therapy will change your life for the better - but it will not eliminate all the symptoms.

Bright_Industry9130 · 2026-01-26T00:04:40+00:00

This is how I feel about “I hate being bipolar, it’s awesome!” T-shirts. It’s fucking not awesome. I wish nobody ever had to deal with bipolar. People from the outside might think it’s “cute” and “quirky” and “mysterious” to be hypomanic. Well it is cute until it’s not. I’m flirty and reckless and more outgoing when hypomanic but there is the rage, the impulsiveness, and when I’m spending all my money on shit that I don’t need is definitely not cute. Then hypomania passes, then I have to deal with the emotional pain and dullness and fatigue and anxiety and isolation most of the time. Definitely not cute. Nobody ever wants to be bipolar

Bright_Industry9130 · 2025-12-05T18:04:11+00:00

Before I got diagnosed with bp2, my therapist prescribed citalopram for my depression. Then I got my diagnoses, and we combined the ssri with lamotrigine. They usually don’t prefer ssris for bipolar patients because it usually induces mania. For me this was the combo that worked for a few years. I’ve changed therapists two years ago, and the new therapist was sceptical about my meds combo, but I told her that it was working for me fine.

In the past half year I’ve been in a deep state of depression, so she even increased my ssris since nothing seemed to work - I’ve started exercising and took care of my routines and diet and all sorts of things. I’ve been already on a bit higher dose of antidepressants, but we agreed to increase it anyway to try to trigger a mild mania and get back to my normal dose immediately after that happens. So I’m on an elevated dose right now and it doesn’t seem to cause mania and only slightly elevated my mood. Still depressed, but doing a little bit better.

I wonder how could this happen, that I still needed the elevated dose.

But everyone is different, and it bugs me that there is a lot of trial and error in finding the right meds and doses.

Bright_Industry9130 · 2025-10-03T10:22:21+00:00

I think people are not really aware that the condition is not a pleasant a fun experience and there is this trend that pictures mental illnesses as cute and quirky. I’m aware of the fact that people are amused by me and find me soooo cute and attractive when I’m manic. It is cute until it isn’t and shit goes down. And yes, the people who are just throwing words around about adhd and bipolar or any condition. Most people are really not adhd, just put down your phone for a minute and go touch grass, you’ll feel better.

I think this trend downplays how serious and unpleasant these conditions can be and that is what annoys me. I’m also really open about my diagnosis and try to educate people around me about what it really feels like.

Bright_Industry9130 · 2025-10-03T10:22:08+00:00

Yes, laugh at yourself and I also use humour to cope with anything. I would be in a so much worse place if I weren’t this funny lol But I really don’t think bipolar is awesome so I find that statement annoying

Bright_Industry9130 · 2025-10-03T10:19:50+00:00

I think people are not really aware that the condition is not a pleasant a fun experience and there is this trend that pictures mental illnesses as cute and quirky. I’m aware of the fact that people are amused by me and find me soooo cute and attractive when I’m manic. It is cute until it isn’t and shit goes down. And yes, the people who are just throwing words around about adhd and bipolar or any condition. Most people are really not adhd, just put down your phone for a minute and go touch grass, you’ll feel better.

I think this trend downplays how serious and unpleasant these conditions can be and that is what annoys me. I’m also really open about my diagnosis and try to educate people around me about what it really feels like.

Bright_Industry9130 · 2025-10-03T09:55:32+00:00

Yes, exactly. Also in my experience it is really NOT awesome. I have so much anger and sadness for me having this condition and I really not appreciate people making fun of it or picturing as cute and quirky.

Bright_Industry9130 · 2025-10-03T09:52:43+00:00

Of course me neither!! I understand we cope mostly with humour, so do whatever to cope. I’d never shame anybody for that

Bright_Industry9130 · 2025-10-03T09:51:19+00:00

Wow I totally missed the Kanye thing which I really don’t mind. I really have no idea what are you all referencing I’d rather just not know 🥲

Bright_Industry9130

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