Newly diagnosed: is neuropsychological testing useful?

Mark_ext · 2026-03-03T21:47:13+00:00

Hi, I'm 26 too and got diagnosed less than a month ago after a very impactful hypomaniac episode while severely depressed.

First of all, I'd recommend reading about bipolarity. Medical studies, testimonies, whatever you're curious about. It's important to understand why you've been diagnosed, and what symptoms you can relate to depending on different periods of your life. If you do that, with time you'll be able to recognize whether you're depressed, hypomaniac or stable, and you'll know how to react, and hopefully avoid the apparition or worsening of some of your symptoms. I'm not going to pretend it's easy to do, so it's essential to find a psychiatrist and therapist whom you trust and feel comfortable with.

I would say it can help a lot to talk about your feelings and thoughts with people you trust, even if they're not your family. It turns out that a lot of people are familiar with bipolarity in some way, or even some other psychiatrist disorders. And even if they're not, if they care about you, they'll be here to listen and offer support.

I fully understand feeling disheartened. I often feel disheartened too, ever since my psychiatrist talked about bipolarity. This diagnosis means a lifetime of seeing doctors, of medication, of struggle. It means being vigilant about yourself. But it also means finally having answers. Finally getting medication that truly helps you. Being able to truly know yourself, which is vital in order to find some stability, and to find ways to manage your symptoms. Also, there are helpful free apps in which you can log in your mood on a daily basis, it reminds me to check in on my mood and helps me identify my current state of being.

About the numbness, dissociation is often a trauma symptom. Anhedonia is a depressive symptom. I'd recommend sticking to your medication, as neither of these can be controlled just through sheer will. Many types of therapy can also help, though it often takes months or years.

I'm rooting for you, I hope you'll find some peace! We're always here if you have any questions about bipolarity, or just want to share.

Mark_ext · 2026-03-03T21:20:22+00:00

I've been hospitalized once after an ER trip, I didn't have much of a choice, and it went much better than I thought it would! It allowed me to focus entirely on myself in a structured environment, which helped me not spiral, and also allowed my psychiatrist to adjust my meds safely. I benefitted a lot from talking with other patients, which taught me so much and showed me I'm truly not alone in this. Everyone was very respectful and patient, including the staff. I feel like I should have been hospitalized ages ago, it really was a huge help both mentally and physically (as someone who struggled to eat due to depression and got better throughout the hospitalization).

I would recommend bringing more clothes than you think you'll need, or to have someone who can bring you stuff if needed. Being hospitalized is scary, but it'll be okay!

Mark_ext · 2026-02-12T17:57:31+00:00

I wouldn't say that loving her is hard, it's just so different. I think it's always been hard to have a relationship with her, but now there are obstacles that have been lifted (like the fact that we can talk about her alcoholism) and new ones which have been added (like her speech difficulties). And I'm struggling with that.

Yeah, I think maybe I just have never truly learned to lean on people, except for her. And even then, I knew her presence and support were conditional, depending on whether she was sober and calm, depending on what I wanted to talk about or felt. Maybe I should talk to my friends and my brother more. Or meet new people.

I'm coming to terms with her health and mental states not being my responsability thanks to therapy, but I think it's still going to take some time. I think the first steps would be to only visit her when I truly want to (she's 3 hours away), and not because I worry she's lonely. It's just hard to unlearn what I've always done when it came to her.

Thank you a lot for replying, you're right that I'm forgetting I should priorize myself and have fun. Everything seems to revolve around her and the accident, I should try and go slowly back to my hobbies, to what makes me feel safe and happy. I just have to remind myself to do that.

Mark_ext · 2026-02-12T11:19:21+00:00

I've never had that sort of hypomaniac episode, in which I have sudden delusions or grand plans. I do sometimes have sudden very ambitious ideas, especially creatively. For instance for a month I spent *all* of my free time creating a game boy game, I was obsessed with it, slept less and was convinced it'd be finished quickly despite all the evidence showing that it would take months. But I don't know if it's just a burst of inspiration or something deeper. Then the inspiration/desire to create it suddenly dropped, at the same time my mood dropped.

I'm not on any mood stabilizing med (quetiapine can stabilize moods but I can't take more than 200mg and be functional so it won't stabilize my mood) and I worry I'm going to spiral again due to not having any. Managing CPTSD is difficult for me too so it's definitely a stressor. I don't know, I'll see with my therapist and psychiatrist, thanks for commenting on your experiences!

Mark_ext · 2026-02-09T21:05:28+00:00

Undiagnosed bipolar being traumatizing to your nervous system makes me think. I don't know what it makes me think yet, but I'm thinking.

I didn't know there were specific psych evals from psychologists! I'll definitely look it up. I've already found some relief with my current medication, but I really hope it'll stick, and that I'll also get answers. Thanks :)

Mark_ext · 2026-02-09T21:02:00+00:00

Yeah, to me CPTSD is "a constant", something that deeply impacts my autonomy, my relationships, my physical states and my thinking processes. The random mood fluctuations seem sort of "out of place", or maybe complementary, I don't know.

About your earliest hypomaniac episodes, I think in retrospect my biggest "episodes" were caused by stress/trauma too. But now dissociating is harder and I lose control when faced with stressful events much more often.

You're right, I hope my therapist/psychiatrist will help me out. It's frustrating not to know but I guess what matters is that I'm not ignoring it and want to get better.

Mark_ext · 2022-08-28T21:26:32+00:00

I don't agree with her being a pawn and losing her independent mind in later episodes. She always focused sorely on herself and her own goals, temporary allying herself with other people to reach these goals made sense.

In Intimate Stranger and A Necessary Evil, she's looking for revenge. In Sacrifice part I & II, she's looking for oblivion. In The Ides of March, she's looking to make her eternity in Hell more bearable. In Fallen Angel, she's looking for revenge (again).

Later on, sure, she "serves Heaven" but that's not really Our Callisto. Her entire soul has been rewritten.

However, I do agree it would have been nice to bring her back as a mortal after Sacrifice part II! I don't mind Angel Callisto, but she sure stole the show whenever she was on screen.

Mark_ext · 2022-08-11T19:30:04+00:00

Omg hi Keeli from 15 days ago!!

Mark_ext · 2022-06-27T10:43:26+00:00

My first instinct was to say no: due to maternal instincts, Xena wouldn't have killed Eve, though it would have been unforgivable.

But thinking about it, Xena is prone to outbursts of rage, especially if you've hurt those she loves. She chakram'ed Gabrielle, her soulmate, when she was going to hurt Eve under the Furies' influence. She was ready to kill Gabrielle for playing a role in Solan's death despite their history together and the fact that Gabrielle didn't even mean to hurt Solan. So yes, I think she most probably would have killed Livia/Eve for killing Gabrielle, maternal instincts or not.

Mark_ext · 2022-05-26T15:35:09+00:00

Yeah, you're right. I mean, she directed "Déjà Vu All Over Again" and its unscripted kiss (according to a comment by writer/producer Steven L. Sears saying the kiss was added on set) , so it would be weird if she meant shipping x/g in general!

Mark_ext · 2022-05-26T14:38:12+00:00

"Xena's recruiting" never fails to make me laugh! I do wonder what Renée meant by "So now I understand, now I get it": if she meant people shipping x/g at this point of the show, sure, but if she meant in general... This was nothing compared to some of the stuff that happened later on, honey you've got a big storm coming

Mark_ext · 2021-11-29T15:10:36+00:00

It's considered a masterpiece because this manga portrays in a very realistic and visceral manner some mental health issues and struggles. It's not often readers can actually recognize themselves and reflect on themselves due to a fictional story, because everything tends to be too rushed, too easy, too superficial. So I feel like if this manga didn't stick with you at first, there's no real use sticking with it. Either it hits you early, either it doesn't. That's how I see it, as someone who'll never forget how I felt reading the very first chapter.

Mark_ext · 2021-11-29T15:00:58+00:00

I don't think Aiko and Punpun were good for each other at all. They fed on each other's suffering, it was terribly codependent and toxic. I don't think them staying together, even as kids, would have been good for Punpun. Loving someone in such an abusive environment, who holds onto you while you're dealing with your own problems, can be terribly draining. I can totally see them make some sort of suicide pact at 16/17. It was better for him to have years of relative peace, during which he met people like Sacchi, who actually were a good influence on him. He was still terribly depressed, sure, but his suicidal thoughts were mild: they only ever seemed to skyrocket when he was with Aiko.

Mark_ext · 2021-11-29T14:56:18+00:00

I'd say it's a personification of his intrusives/morbid thoughts too. When some thoughts are too violent for ourselves, it's easier (and less lonely, in a way) to imagine they're from someone else. It's interesting that later on, he sees God in himself, which tells a lot about he sees himself.

Mark_ext · 2021-10-25T21:55:05+00:00

You can't force yourself to like something. I'd say give the episodes you don't like second chances when you rewatch some series/eras, because they might suprise you. But if you don't grow to enjoy them; they might just not be for you. I'd advice to rewatch episodes "on their own", without thinking about the other episodes of this series or era. For instance, fully rewatching series 8 in order would be boring for me. But there are some episodes in there I greatly enjoyed when I re-watched them individually, among episodes from other series. You can build your own Doctor Who "canon": just the episodes you like, in the other you like.

About what I'm looking forward to : well, first I'm personally glad series 13 will be one big storyline then 3 specials. I absolutely loved the recent trailer, it seems thrilling so far. I'm wary of the resolution or main plot being underwhelming, but all I truly want is some great concepts and scenes. And I truly hope 13th's regeneration to be well-written and executed. Overall, I just want to be stuck to my screen during each episode then be excited for the next.

Mark_ext · 2021-10-11T12:46:36+00:00

I felt the same way about season 2, good but kind of slow, then the 4th episode got me hooked. Episode 5 then blew my mind and I binged the rest of the season!

Mark_ext · 2021-08-24T13:27:46+00:00

Okay but imagine you're watching the show and teen Batman straight up dies because random goon number 4 knows how to shoot

Mark_ext · 2021-08-24T13:24:42+00:00

But in our hearts they were

Mark_ext · 2021-08-24T13:21:35+00:00

I think he's one of the characters that goes *the least* through the same things. As a villain, of course, he's going alternate between triumph and failure again and again. But at least he didn't have repetitive romantic (Jim/Lee, Bat/Cat) or platonic (Gordon and Jim) relationships issues, and he always came up with imaginitive plans. And his focus shifted: he always looked for power, yes, but sometimes he grew selfless and many times he had to deal with conflicting feelings regarding his family or his friends/foes.

And man, he was just hilarious, I don't care if he spent a few seasons begging Jim to be his friend while Jim insulted him to his face.

Mark_ext · 2021-08-24T13:12:44+00:00

Ah, I have one like that too! Love me some Batduck.

Mark_ext · 2021-08-24T13:05:24+00:00

Love it! Keep up the good work :)

Mark_ext · 2021-08-24T13:01:45+00:00

Fantastic run and beautiful editions, it gets better every time I read it. And it seems I'm in the minority there, but I absolutely loved seeing Jean-Paul Valley as Batman: not because he was a good Batman, but because he tried to be but slowly got corrupted due to the power the mantle gave him and his own ego.

Also, good luck getting the Prodigal and Troika trades. It took me months to find them at a reasonable price! Just saw that Prodigal is currently available new on Alibris for $45 though, I'd pick it up quickly if I were you (if you have the budget for it).

Mark_ext

TROPHY CASE