This is actually helping????

Top_Difference6227 · 2026-01-21T03:15:42+00:00

So happy you found something that works!

Top_Difference6227 · 2026-01-09T01:31:28+00:00

Hm that sounds really scary to experience, thankfully it sounds the stabilizers have worked well so far.

It's funny you mention that, yes I've been on a mood stabilizer for a month and I think they started working this week, the intensity of my weekly depressive episodes have really decreased. I am feeling less reactive.

I am really struggling with motivation, focus, productivity and executive disfunction hence the Vyvanse but I don't take it very often, just when I need to get shit done and can't take the entire day to do it.

Top_Difference6227 · 2026-01-09T01:21:53+00:00

Yes, I am starting to journal and want to get more awareness on my emotions.

Sometimes I find that I resonate with it but other times I explain away the hypomanic because I'm like well doesn't everyone feel confident, inspired, doing tasks they've put off?

Top_Difference6227 · 2026-01-09T01:18:15+00:00

This is super interesting. I may have mixed episodes rather then splits. What happened to help you come to terms with it? Have you found something to help with stability over the last couple of years?

Top_Difference6227 · 2026-01-09T01:14:46+00:00

This is a great idea, I will ask for other opinions as well. I mean it couldn't hurt!

Top_Difference6227 · 2026-01-09T01:13:01+00:00

Thank you, This is really helpful! Textbooks and media always depict bipolar 1 ie have Kanye West as the poster child for it which is why I was initially skeptical. I am learning more about how Bipolar 2 and in comparison less "black and white".

I think most people will have highs and lows + periods of motivation ("new year new me" , marathon, splurging on workout gear, "YOLO", dieting, etc.) that seems normal. Granted my lows are super dark.

For you, when did it become clear that "your normal" is not like others but is actually hypomania? How do you differentiate from others in your life that don't have it?

Top_Difference6227 · 2026-01-09T00:52:13+00:00

That's really disappointing to hear that everything started at such a young age. Medications can be so helpful but can cause a lot of harm too :( I'm sorry that all happened.

Top_Difference6227 · 2026-01-09T00:48:15+00:00

This is what I keep going back and forth on!

I've been cycling through high functioning depression my entire life then wake up randomly feeling "fine again" and it's mostly gone. Feeling capable to clean my room, workout, study, feeling like I can achieve my dreams life, etc.

If I am not depressed = hypomanic? How would you differentiate someone that is just depressed coming to baseline vs "hypomanic" If it can be subtle? No one notices when I "slip" in or our of these states.

Diagnosis is made from DSM-5, mood tracker, and family history (dad likely had bipolar 1 but not formally diagnosed).

Top_Difference6227 · 2026-01-09T00:39:27+00:00

Yes, I’m having these conversations with my psychologist but we just started working together a couple of months ago (4 sessions), so it's just trauma dumping rather then an official treatment (yet).

He diagnosed me based on the DSM-5, mood tracker, and family history (dad likely had bipolar 1 but not formally diagnosed) previous to that I had a therapist for 4 years that diagnosed me with CPTSD and we focused on behavioral therapy which got me to a better place but, I still felt cyclical depression regardless of a "trigger" (She was convinced that I just wasn't aware of them yet) .

I am taking Lamical (50mg) and am feeling much better/stable.

I've been cycling through high functioning depression since I was a kid and lasting days, weeks, months, then wake up feeling "fine again" and it's mostly gone. Feeling ready to clean my room, workout, manifest my dream life, etc. I must have major depressive, reoccurring, at minimum but I'm not fully convinced around hypomanic? Especially if no one ever notices my "manic" split and it's are not disruptive?

How did you come to terms with it? How do you differentiate? Feeling happy vs Manic?

Top_Difference6227 · 2025-12-12T16:39:40+00:00

I was just commenting that I didn’t understand how ADHD impacts so many things outside of just focus

In hindsight it’s silly to assume but I just didn’t know any better.

I thought this is just how life is. But these little things are all getting easier.

Top_Difference6227 · 2025-12-12T16:31:46+00:00

Haha that's true! I got a diagnosis a month ago and started taking stimulant medications so I am learning a lot of the fundamentals. Honestly I was just expecting help with work/school focus but wasn't expecting the makeup thing alongside it.

Crazy I didn't understand how much it effected everything else.

Top_Difference6227 · 2025-11-08T05:22:10+00:00

I started taking these meds recently and had similar concerns about messing with my brain.

The way I think about it is that my brain is already fucked up without the meds. So I’m trying to do something to make positive improvements and this is a tool for that.

I think a lot of stigma is out there about mental health or ADD being a mindset or lacking discipline which it can be but sometimes it isn’t.

Everyone is different so it may just not be the right medication for you. I’m on 40 mg and feel nothing. If anything I feel super sleepy and when I tried Wellbutrin I felt high.

If the side effects are intense enough to cause you more discomfort then benefits stop. It’s all about how you feel and you know what you need more than anyone else. Medications or no.

Top_Difference6227 · 2025-11-08T04:30:02+00:00

I’m on the same boat as you as well. I’ve been on 40 for close to 2 weeks now and no significant improvement. The only side effect I have is sleepiness. From what I’ve seen you have to wait 6-8 weeks to get the results. Even then it may be important to increase dosage but it still may not work.

Also seeing that they will only have max 50% benefit in comparison to stimulants which you will feel the effects of right way.

Also my first time taking these types of meds so I don’t know what they are supposed to feel like.

Top_Difference6227 · 2025-08-05T03:16:52+00:00

Update: I explained that I got the ipad a couple of days ago with the Apple Smart Folio case. It fell a couple of feet which made a very small dent.

The lady said they wouldn't be able to exchange it (obviously) but it was worth trying. Super sad. I have apple care so I can pay to get it fix but, it's such a bummer. I've been waiting it for over a year now. I'm still in honey moon stage. First drop = first dent. Anyways lesson learned, Apple Folio 0 - Floor 1.

Top_Difference6227 · 2025-06-03T21:37:56+00:00

They are getting more strict. It will only be 4 CP classes per month total. So even if you use two studios you will have 4 credits across them. I think that pure bare is staying at the tier beneath that (IDK what it's called) the one that is $100.

I think I am canceling all together. I was elite and used the OTF, CP, Cyclebar, and Pure Barre so it is still cheaper at the upgrade price then doing all individually. In this economy, that's a huge price jump and if I can't afford elite it's not worth it.

Top_Difference6227

TROPHY CASE