Chatting about Bipolar Disorder

Chatting about Bipolar Disorder
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** The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional. If anything in this video was distressing please consider calling LifeLine 131114 **
Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction

[@MultiSenhor]

I spent all my money thinking "I can recover that later, quickly, and considering how productive and energetic I've been, I'm 100% sure I will!", about one week later I descended into a deep depression and couldn't get up from bed, with no money, no hope or energy to get any, and a thousand other problems... ... ... ... At least everything is fine now, I'm terribly persistent, resilient and patient, thank God.

[@marissakryzeck5920]

I’m going through this right now :( it’s what caused me to get diagnosed. I went into the hospital manic after I spent the prior 3 months spending everything including credit and loan thinking I was the exception and I could earn, earn, earn… welp now I have trouble getting through a whole week of work and feel more hopeless then ever..

[@theoismycat]

I really like these car chats! Hypomania is so interesting to me. Like, I have Bipolar 2 and I know I make dangerous, poor choices when I'm hypomanic. And decisions that don't align with my values, but its just such a pleasant experience in the moment that my friends can look at me and say "you need to go to a doctor", and I will look that them and be like 'this is the best I've felt in forever why would you want me to go to a doctor I am totally cured hooray.' The total lack of judgement and self awareness in the moment has always been interesting to me

[@tshegofatso9021]

So real😭😭😭

[@Maverick_Mad_Moiselle]

watching this on x2 so I can get a good idea of what pressured speech looks like

[@OokamiKaii]

I am a social worker who is working at a social psychiatric service in Germany and mostly with homeless people. And I was really surprised when I realized how many people have manic episodes or psychosis. And I have one person I remember having a manic episode after a really depressed episode. She burnt 375 € and her explaination was that she wanted to end her life and did this instead of doing it. She was really agitated in the manic episode, kind of in her own world, very impulsive. She did hurt herself by hitting the wall in her depressed episode. listened to loud music all night, having her own party not listening to anyone. She is a rapid cycler which was new to me because I am new to this workplace. It's so sad that she seem to have less symptoms with medication but she always stops them when she is feeling better which leads to getting worse symptoms. Thank you for talking about it!

[@ashatan4554]

Very common and one of the challenges to treating Bipolar is they stop their medication.

[@snickers1840]

I would start and stop my medications over and over ….

[@bageba8]

I flew under the radar during my first three manic episodes despite being in active psychiatric care for ADHD, depression, and anxiety the whole time. I don't get much in the way of pressured speech when I'm manic, mainly because I'm so wrapped up in my racing thoughts that I can't find an entry point to speak--so I actually tend to be less talkative when I'm manic than when I'm hypomanic, except when my manic rage is triggered, in which case I'll scream and I'll scream and there's no stopping me for hours. My mania is more intense than what I usually hear hypomania being described as, but not so intense as to ever have gotten me hospitalized or ruined my life--I mainly know it's mania rather than hypomania because it comes with hallucinations (mostly olfactory, occasionally visual or tactile) and delusions (usually paranoid or spiritual). Since starting antipsychotics I only get hypomanic episodes anymore (and depression, of course), and it's sooo much easier to deal with.

[@jonesilvasilva]

Being bipolar is not a death sentence: I have bipolar disorder tipe 2 with comorbid ADHD. I have been through tough times in life, but I didn't accept being bipolar and didn't follow treatments, so I was always in crises. After being hospitalized for 12 days and undergoing treatment and convulsive therapy, I got better and accepted the diagnosis. Since then, I haven't had strong crises anymore. My life has changed: I went to university, studied Law, became a lawyer, did postgraduate studies, and work a lot. I live a normal life, but I avoid coffee, energy drinks, and alcohol. I exercise six times a week and sleep at least six hours a day. Additionally, I regularly see mental health professionals: I go to a psychologist twice a month and to a psychiatrist once a month. I take slow-release lithium carbonate as prescribed. We continue the fight with great determination. Disorder Type 2. My family does not know, even when I was hospitalised a few years ago. They did not find out because my two partners at my law firm organised everything with the psychologist and psychiatrist. Only my partners know about my bipolar disorder. My current girlfriend does not know that I have bipolar disorder. I am working with my psychologist to decide whether or not to tell my girlfriend. I believe the worst part of life for someone with bipolar disorder is the stigma and prejudice. Everyone thinks a person with bipolar disorder is always aggressive. I have never been aggressive with anyone, even during moments of crisis. I have never driven a car irresponsibly. I live a normal life, work a lot, and study constantly because my profession requires me to stay updated. However, I do take my medication. Never stop fighting for a better day, and believe in yourself. Hugs from Brazil.

The last four years of my life have been a living hell. After my father passing away in 2019 I took a lithium overdose. Whilst hospitalised they decided that my 14 year history of bipolar disorder was incorrect and what I had was borderline personality disorder. So they stopped the lithium and discharged me after 2 weeks. (I was to still take an antidepressant) alongside seroquel. In the following 2 years I was so unwell. I became homeless, fell pregnant in a one night stand whilst manic, got in serious trouble with the law, landed in icu thanks to another suicide attempt. This period was also interspersed with heavy drinking. During this time i had a few short stays in the hospital but they continued to put everything down to bpd.Then the paranoia started to set in, to the point that I became psychotically depressed and was hospitalised for 7 months. It took over 20 ects and putting me back on lithium and other medications before i was well again. I am still recovering from the last four years. I am quite angry that the original psychiatrist made such a great error in removing a correct diagnosis that led to me becoming so unwell. I had never experienced psychotic depression or had needed ect in my 34 years of having bipolar. To complicate things further after this whole ordea it turns out I do have borderline as well as bipolar. It would be interesting Dr Syl if you could discuss the instances of this co-occurrence. Thankyou for this video.

[@Dreeey-s3h]

Have you looked into autism? Perhaps you resonate. Bipolar and Borderline are among the most common misdiagnosis of autism, and especially in females the 'symptoms' are often overlooked as diagnostic criteria are based on observations in males. Wishing you well and hoping that you find answers about yourself, so that you can enjoy life again ❤ Best of luck and a lot of love

[@CorinnePritchard]

I've never met anyone else with anything like what I experience in my bipolar. For a very long time I was Type II - 1 day hypomanic, 3 days depression and the rest of the month a kind of 'normal' was how it started. Regular as anything. So much so that for years I thought it was hormonally related, because it was such a clear pattern. Also didn't fit the criteria - so any psychiatrist I did see just prescribed me antidepressants. Luckily only one of them tipped me into mania and I found the feeling of being out of control downright unpleasant, so I stopped it. The next one (an SNRI) seemed to mask it, for years. However, then I had to quit the SNRI. As soon as it was out of my system, I was hit by an absolutely crazy pattern - 3 days manic (down not up), 7 days depression, 7 days 'normal'. Again, and again, and again. It was actual hell. Due to administrative errors I was like that for 6 months. My psych team, when I got them, were very supportive. They gave me lithium (not usually the first line treatment for rapid cycling), and it worked, 100%. Amazing result. But with all of the rapid cycling, I'm now stuck with a brain that no longer works. Terrible attention/concentration/memory/executive function. They threw ADHD pills at me, but they didn't work. I can't help but feel that if just one psychiatrist had listened to me all those years ago, I wouldn't be where I am now. Type II matters. It doesn't affect behaviour as much, no, and 'hypomania' can be quickly dismissed as enthusiasm or ADHD hyperfocus, but our frontal lobes are degenerating, all the same. Here's one paper discussing the effects of bipolar on the brain: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4441218/

[@bocajoanne]

I feel for you, @CorinnePritchard.

[@dionysusapollo]

I thought it was hormones, and just part of being a woman too, feeling like a different person from day to day, crying days etc

[@MandyR0116]

I’ve been diagnosed Bipolar 1 mania for about 8-9 years but before diagnosis when I was 23-25 years old the mania absolutely ruined my life at the time. Sent me into a depression that they treated with SSRI which made me psychotic. Listening to you describe bipolar helps me accept it more as a real illness bc my family never believed in mental illnesses. I feel extremely lucky that low dose lithium works for me (.06-.08) serum levels. Other than lithium the most effective treatment has been trauma aware therapy with EMDR/Brain spotting and therapeutic massage. I’ve done it consistently for those 8-9 years and at my last Psych appt my Dr told me he believes I’m able to stay on low dose because of the work I’ve put in to therapy!! Which was extremely validating. I’m so happy you discuss bipolar as an illness and not the personality defect that the media and some people make it out to be. Great work :)

[@BruceWayne-hi9wd]

Great point about the insomnia. My psych has become increasingly more convinced over the years that bipolar is essentially a sleep disorder. That's been my experience too

[@AnnetteThompson-d1r]

I have 2 grown boys now who were adopted and are biological brothers. One is a rapid cycler bipolar and the other has schizophrenia. The bio parents both have diagnosed mental health problems. The boys also had traumatic early childhood experiences. Heredity and early trauma clearly have a connection for them. I read everything on both illnesses and they all contradict each other. My hope for them is that the new generation of researchers and doctors treatment will become so much better and perhaps during their lifetime they can find some peace. Keep up the work!!!

[@sharonthompson672]

You sound like a loving parent 🖐️ your sons are so fortunate. 🌹

[@dionysusapollo]

I was manic in the car being driven to a psychiatrist, listening to nirvana ful, blast. Once I found myself in front of a doctor it quickly changed to horrible anxiety and i deflated like a balloon. But I have always feared doctors. I wonder if its normal that mania can can change from triggers. I call it good mania, which is euphoria, or bad mania, which is really intense anxiety and irritability. Sometimes I can feel reasonably calm, but if I go somewhere stimulating like a mall I get manic. I went into a Christmas shop recently and got so excited by the sparkles I came out with 1500 expensive tree lights. My husband had to take everything off the tree and redo it.

[@BearofBlackMud]

The mall at Christmas is also too much for me! It’s the buying by presents for other people! Too much noise, sound, people, stuff…

[@dionysusapollo]

I bought a teddy bear for 175 euros😮

[@BearofBlackMud]

@@dionysusapollo that must be one giant teddy bear! Sounds like classic overexcitement- if it is I can totally relate to that! 🙂

[@dionysusapollo]

​@jonintorunto7708 Yes it's big, but I'll get value from it when the anxiety hits I guess.

[@alessandrojaker7160]

Hi my name's Alex, I'm Bipolar 1. For many years, my main untreated bipolar symptom was paranoia. At the office, I used to lock myself in my office and not come out unless I heard there were no footsteps, for fear of having to say hello to people. I also broke up with all my friends because I thought they were out to get me. Then I had a manic episode with psychosis and went on an antipsychotic, and suddenly the paranoia went away. Now I am much more relaxed around people. I take loxapine, they say that is especially good for paranoia.

[@sharonthompson672]

I wish the U.S. would catch up with other countries when it comes to healthcare in general and mental health in particular. Thanks Dr Syl for another informative video 🙂🖐️👍🍀

[@meganwaters7772]

Nearly at 70k followers!! Go Dr Syl 😄🎉. I really wish there was a huge structural change in how we manage health within corporate capitalism. I would like little neighbourhood centres where everyone can go, like a replacement for a church, where Drs can educate and support their communities.... A place where connections and care can be revived.

[@kimmimulder]

I think you covered things well. My ex husband is bipolar and it's lost is our marriage, his personality, his mentality... History is... ugly. He struggled with drugs before I met him and then was sober 17 years... those were roller-coaster years. He was 99% manic with these low swings of sleeping for 3 days without moving. Then, things got worse. He lost his leg to amputation and the mental demoralization combined with 24/7 pain... flipped things. He went from fantastical genius who couldn't quite win... to depressed rage. Unbeknownst to me... he turned to meth. I had never been around drug use, nor him on them. For over a year I was lost and confused as to who this man was I no longer knew. Rage, paranoia, and worse. Now, I'm helpless to him and our kids, our marriage destroyed. He's still using, on low doses, it's the only pain killer he has and the only escape into sleep... however, he's unstable, bitter and cruel now, all happiness and love seems dead. He chooses to be homeless and blames me for him 'losing his kids'. I don't know why he's opposite the 'normal', and all I had witness to was the initial diagnosis before the first amputation and lithium prescription. That was 20+ years ago. I miss him... this ugly ghost who won't leave but I can't live with is.. miserable. He's destroying what little bit he has left with his kids and I'm afraid the decades of suicide threats will become real. I'm terrified of daughter had this too. (Her dad and maternal grandmother both...)

[@snickers1840]

The self that’s not self! I have been in that mania many times. From age 16…. My pms was horrid. My hormones were blamed for that and now i believe that to be true for myself. I’m 53 now and I look back on my mania and dreadful depression. I also suffered from untreated post partum depression with each of my kids deliveries. And when I was starting full on menopause…. I think we need to look into it. Anyway Ty for the video!!

[@sarahmartinez1797]

Thank you for doing this video, I suffer from bipolar disorder I have learned a lot from your videos ❤

[@michaelford3391]

I bought a wedding ring (for no-one in particular) and I bought two international plane tickets. Fortunately some friends found out I was elevated again and managed to reverse most of my crazy purchases. (There was plenty more nutty stuff... mostly in hospital....proposing to nurses etc) I take lithium religiously now because I'm on a high dose of ADs. Also lurasidone - not sure it does much but there are no side effects. I'd urge anyone in the early days of lithium to stick at it...for months if necessary. It doesn't cheer you up per se but if your mania is diminished that's a big step.

[@sihe5697]

What I learned from this video is that treating depression would be hugely differently than treating bipolar. And I am glad to learn that "mania is more sustainable" because I have patients who only have grandiose symtoms for some time in a day and I could not tell it's bipolar or others. Thank you Dr Syl!

[@lynnettejohns4733]

Very few talk about the disease's progression and how it destrys your grey matter. I'm manic, so not on an anti-depressative. I'v been reading up on methylene blue and am keen to try. I use lamaotogrine, lithium risperidone, and a low dose of lorazepam. I'm tired of dealing with bipolar. Tired that this disease has destroyed by life.

[@JJay1234-dg9gu]

I’m in the us-got laid off my job. Have not had my meds for months. It sucks. Thank you for your videos

[@cyberiad]

I've often heard the line that people with mental illnesses (I'm one) are more likely to be victims than offenders. But how does that compare to a population of people who aren't diagnosed with a mental illness? My feeling and personal observation is that we're just in shit situations more often. If you're doing drugs, or gambling, or having careless sex- or even if you're just poor because you can't navigate reality - you're more at risk for being in an environment where violence could happen.

[@kristapatterson7591]

My boyfriend danced all night in the living room to no music. He was taken to the hospital by the Police in the morning because he was on a pass from the Psych ward and wouldn't go back on his own. He was diagnosed with a manic episode and schizoaffective disorder.

[@dionysusapollo]

I think I danced for nearly twelve days, it felt really euphoric, though, if I got just the right track it sent me into the stratosphere.

[@dianahenderson5053]

Thanks for your insight. I usualy seem to learn something from your dialogs. I've been living with schizoaffective disorder bipolar type for 11 years. Two years ago I had a mixed episode of mania and depression that lasted 3 months. It seemed like forever though. In three months I missed a whole months worth of sleep. My doctor tried lamatrogine first. That helped the depression but not the mania. Finally we tried lithium. That was the only thing that stopped the mania. It took a while but after about 6 weeks of starting the lithium I was doing much better. The mania came back three months later, but not as severe. It was hypomania I figured. The last time I had mania was 15 months ago when I got COVID. It seems COVID triggered a manic episode. The hospitol was not prepared for someone who had mania and COVID at the same time. I was misreable and they refused to admit me. They sent me home by myself to quarentine for 5 days. It's like it didn't matter to them that i had voices telling me they wanted me to die. I am very self aware and knew how to handle it because I had been dealing with it for a year. It worked out. The mania stopped and i recovered from COVID but I believe ER doctors need more training in mental illness. However, i am currently in a good place. The last time i was severely depressed was 2 years ago and the last time i was manic was more than a year ago. My question is what kind of psychotherapy is beneficial between episodes of mania and depression and is there a therapy that could prevent future episodes of mania and depression? Thanks for your time. I really enjoy your channel.

[@DrSyl]

For those who have watched my Driving with Dr Syl videos. Do you prefer when the audio is like this (no background noise removal) or when it is processed (with background noise removal)?

[@kchardison9480]

I like the background noise, but not if you'll use it for a podcast probably.

[@kandymich4861]

There was background nose?

[@dionysusapollo]

I like the background noise, i also love the continuous background hum that comes from the ship on Star Trek.

[@benjamintausheck6368]

I don't like it but it's not a deal breaker one way or the other

[@stevejabroney159]

I’m somewhat concerned about the safety of driving whilst YouTubing as attention is a finite resource ? I once ate a kebab at the wheel of a courtesy car after a particularly nasty rear ending and I felt like a criminal.

[@tonyburton419]

Ex- retired Approved MH Social Worker just subscribed....from UK. In substance misuse for last 8 years from a total of 30 overall years. Up to date - Informative channel. Lot more to absorb. Yes clinical depression very grim....Those prone to bi-polar - must reduce life expectancy ? Not sure...think all serious mental illnesses have.?

[@danstone7664]

Something which happens to me when I’m manic is that I see faces everywhere. Not like real human faces, but all the objects and patterns around me look like they have facial features. Like most people I see faces occasionally when, for example, a post box looks like it has a mouth and nose, but this is just constant. And everywhere.

[@KiwiHorseProductions]

Thank you for this video. I work as a clinical social worker in a large mental health agency with both inpatient and outpatient units, and I see farrrr too often many individuals diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder without a valid justification for the diagnosis. I see clinicians who give this diagnosis when a person “gets angry easily” and has “mood swings” where their mood changes quickly multiple times a day. It’s so frustrating! That’s not Bipolar Disorder. More people need to see this video. I would also like to see you discuss rapid cycling and mixed episodes in Bipolar Disorder, as well as the concept of “ultradian cycling.”

[@tulpamedia]

Wow I commented a week or two ago asking if you could do another video on bipolar disorder. Thank you very much Dr Syl!

[@gamingwhilebroken2355]

I have chronic joint pain and bipolar disorder. I could tell a manic episode was coming well ahead of time because I could feel the pain in my joints but it stopped hurting (if that makes sense) or specifically it would start hurting less. This gave me a huge heads up that an episode was on its way. Edit: I can’t describe any other way. As it’s the only time I ever had that happen. I know there’s pain, like I can tell if I got injured, the pain was there… it just doesn’t hurt or I didn’t register is hurting idk?

[@sharonthompson672]

I was misdiagnosed Bipolar II, when in reality I was/am a combination of cptsd, depression, anxiety and ocd. I have some similarities to autism but I'm not, it's more dissociation and hypervigilance. I think. 🤔

[@kchardison9480]

Good chat. I was diagnosed with depression, given an antidepressant which made me, you guessed it, manic. Then diagnosed bipolar and later schizoaffective bipolar type. I definitely have a more depressive course of illness like you mentioned. I'm in a depressive episode right now that's been going on for weeks. Interestingly, I've never been on lithium despite its popularity.

[@izabelaswa85]

Hey. Poland here. I have BPD since more than a decade and lithium is not just popular but just the best. When having BPD you have only two choices: lithium or depakine After depakine EVERYONE gains weight and from my experience it doesn't work that well as lithium. I had high mania on depakine but lithium stops it very well.

[@kchardison9480]

​@@izabelaswa85That's really interesting!

[@BearofBlackMud]

@@izabelaswa85I’m also in Poland, recently diagnosed as having bipolar. In the last month I started meds, the doctor put me on lamotrigine rather than lithium

[@izabelaswa85]

@@BearofBlackMud honey lamotrygnine isn't treating bipolar, I mean it is but it's not. BPD can be treated only in two ways - depakine or lithium, everything else is mood stabilizers, antipsychotics etc

[@BearofBlackMud]

@@izabelaswa85 I’ve also got Kvelux so I guess that is for the bipolar

[@TimLemonn]

Good mania is great, bad mania is worst than the depressive episodes. The hardest thing is trying to get people to understand what you’re going through so that they know how to help - nothing worst than being in bad mania and someone trying to help but getting it all wrong 😬

[@thuggie1]

my lithium levels over the past 12 month where all over the place but i had lost 100lbs in weight, intentionally i don't know if that caused it but it was reduced by 200mg and they not phoned me back that usually means my levels are correct. my mood starting to get more even after the past 12 months witch is good i had a major depressive spike since about June so its nice i am able to do more than i have been. your videos are nice you are a very calming person

[@kateawake]

Could you please do a video about CPTSD? I´m diagnosed with it and Depression, OCD . But its only a diagnose. I´m not only the sum of my diagnoses. And how you said in your videos, everyone is unique and has a story. Another question is would you do a live stream ? It would be nice to interact about a certain subject. I´m always into hearing stories of others. I hope I´m not too direct. But being german explains it ;)

[@cherylsmith394]

Thank you for your thoughts on bipolar. I’m curious if you could perhaps talk a bit about mixed episodes and treatment. They seem to be a challenge because of the combination, and I’m wondering if this is where alternatives to medication come in?

[@terricrowe8944]

Love the various video styles and all the info! 🎉 Would like to hear in the future about prodromal stages of disorders, including suspected manifestations or roots in childhood/adolescent behaviors, signs, symptoms.

[@donnyetta]

Really enjoyed this upload, thank you. I developed bi-polar after taking venlafaxine for depression, for two years. In my experience, all the people I know that have bi-polar disorder, had been on anti-depressants for a long while before they developed bi-polar disorder. i don't take the meds for bi-polar. Instead, when I/my friends notice I am talking over them at five hundred words a minute along with paranoia - I reduce the anti-depressants by at least 50%. Helps me a lot.

[@ariahathaway5517]

Thanks Dr. Syl for another informative video. I have schizoaffective bipolar type and you nailed these symptoms, actually made me aware of them more. I usually have a hard time understanding when episodes start but the sleep getting less and less is a really good indicator. I used to have lots of depressive episodes but now mainly manic. I am on lamotragine with antipsychotic and hope it keeps working thanks for all the info. I don't mind the car noise in the videos

[@ginevragiansanti1172]

hey i have bipolar and i wanted to thanks you for your videos as a mental health professional. ive had quite a few bad experiences with some doctors who overmedicated me to the point i was zombie like. at one point i just stopped taking meds on my own and i had a bad mixed episode. watching your channel helped me have faith that some dr genuinely wants to help patients. i went to a different hospital and i found a dr that is actually helping me. i wanted to thanks you for your work. also, could you make a video talking about mixed episode or atypical presentation in bipolar?for a long time i could not believe the dx because most of the time when i quit sleeping and had lot of energy i also felt awful and had depressed thoughts. i mostly have mixed episodes. i think its not talked about enough. i only had one proper manic episode when i was on lamictal. thanks you in advance if you decide to do this video

[@michaelmarchei8539]

I’m sure I have bipolar. Mum was diagnosed as manic depressant and I have struggled with addiction from 14-32. Now at 43 have struggled with anxiety / depression / panic and responded to no treatments. Any antidepressants I cannot tolerate. Been hospitalised many times and still Dr dismissed me as not bipolar but allot of people I have met with bipolar spot it straight away. Feel so deflated atm I don’t know what will work or if I’ll continue to progress worse and worse. All I know is stability is something I can only Pray for

[@laurieconover7243]

You Tube Dr. Chris Palmer - read research, and 1:07 discuss his perspective. Would love to hear your thoughts.

[@Monsternallen]

Just wanted to thank you for your channel 😅 ❤ and I am in starting episode, gets me speed up 😮😊 and trying too learn to hold back 😅 so you’re videos are help me, In good way take care of yourself Syl 🥳🙌// warm Regards J 🇸🇪

[@Toga-Himiko-Is-Me]

Id love a more in-depth borderline personality disorder manic state explanation. Love your videos btw ❤

[@PrismYuuzuki]

I largely get irritable mania. I tend to shriek threats at those who happened to flip my switch while I’m manic.

[@katywilson5144]

I really would have appreciated mention of mixed episodes in bipolar disorder. In my experience, these states are the most dangerous. You have all the depression, hopelessness, and pain of depression while also experiencing the irritability, anxiety, and impulsiveness or mania. This type of episode is mentioned so much less frequently than depression, mania, or hypomania. I've met people who have been diagnosed with bipolar for 5+ years who have no idea what a mixed episode is. I don't know about what statistics show, but these states have always been my most dangerous times personally. Three attempts on my life have all come from mixed episodes and never from just mania or depression alone.

[@clairek-s8918]

I am diagnosed schizoaffective bipolar type and I related to the part where you talked about agitated mania. When I was in the hospital a year ago I was aggressive to the point of needing physical restraints. I never understood how that was call d mania, because I did NOT feel good!

[@sabinanil2297]

Hey,Dr Syl.I am watching from Bangladesh.You are a graet doctor.Your video is very informative and supportive for people.Best wishes for you to keep going ahead.And I am a big fan of you.Also you are my crush😌(JUST FUN).

[@GlitterBomber]

I have gotten shortness of breath since I was 5 or 6, but I was an adult before I realized it was anxiety. My mom has migraines, and now I am curious to think about their relationship to anxiety. Your exam date has passed by the time I watched this video, so I hope it went well.

[@Nicholas-x3g]

I have been watching your videos for a little bit and find them extremely informative. I have a difficult situation in my life and I think it centres around figuring out if someone has hypomania, if you can provide any insight on a video or really anything that would be great

[@Adrianats]

I don’t know if this is related to grandiosity of mania but when i was in mania, where I usually get aggressive and irritated, I remember as well as feeling grandious and special as if I had a special connection to energy and was similar in rank to Mother Mary. Beliefs I thought I could read the stars and see the occult and make mental connections and notice things in nature people usually don’t see. I also remember I watched TV and when I knew it was live I thought people were talking to me telepathically and their eyes were looking at me inside my house, and even if it was already recorded I thought it was too much coincidence to what I was digging mentally in my insomnia during the the night or as if the news in TV were because I was operating in universal energy 😅 today when I start feeling nauseous and anguished I know it’s starting something wrong in my mind and if I start to feel over special i know it’s not true and my mental health might be declining. Then I make arrangements to deal with my head. It’s sad because sometimes I think nobody would want a sick person to be in love with such as me and these insanities. People say the person is born bipolar but I really believe considering what happened in my emotion since a kid where I was bullied, mentally and morally mainly affected the fact my mind and heart couldn’t take suffering longer and it simply surpassed any reasoning resulting this disease i have to deal with today, where I simply start feeling strange and tearful as if in a emotional crisis. Today I am stable thank God but I deal with depression, which is the other side people don’t tell the fact most bipolars deal with depression most of the time. I don’t feel like waking up or enjoying life whatsoever. I think it’s over to me. When I am sad I really think there’s no point, solution or future to me. But as with the fantastical strange out of reality thoughts I also have the work and effort of scaring this away. When I contemplate honestly Nobody would want an emotionally broken person like me. I fight this feeling and thought everyday.

[@ViolaLy01]

Thanks for this video Doc! I have been insanely questioning myself about bipolar but you and my therapist have explained mood stability in depression and taking ssri’s. Thanks!

[@kimwalker8872]

Mixed episodes please talk about those 🙏

[@monte68x]

Bipolar disorder is much more complex than people realize. Pure depression and pure mania are the exceptions, not the rule, in manic-depressive illness. Most episodes have 'mixed features'. Then when you add on psychotic and/or catatonic features to these mixed mood states, it can look very much like a primary psychotic disorder.

[@Jsicle19]

Dr. Syl, I would love some insight into treatment-resistant depression. I have a friend that has gone through extreme depressive episodes most of her life, and I don’t know where to start in researching and coming from a place of sympathy for her.

[@dionysusapollo]

Im coming up to my fourth month of being manic now, sometimes its euphoric, sometimes its unbearable but they cant give me a high dose of anything because of other health issues i have going on. Sometimes i feel like stopping the meds so things come to a head and something is done. I spend most of my time pacing in circles or colouring as it makes sitting down more tolerable.

[@RIPvizzini]

I just upped my antidepressant, that could explain the bouts of hypomania... Add that question to my next psych appt.

[@sairscreates]

I have bipolar and I can't take any of the mood stabilisers. I have tried them all and just came off lithium after, after 23 years, becoming pretty toxic on it. So now I don't know what I'll do now. For now things are okay, I hope it stays that way, but I'm not hopeful it will stay that way forever. Oh well, it keeps life interesting I guess

[@katywilson5144]

I don't quite agree with you on the part about no one who has seen mania would want that. I've been involved in bipolar communities for 13 years and have worked in mental health for 10 years. There are so many people who have terrible episodes of mania who then fall into unrelenting depression and all they want is to be out of it. I hear so many people say they wish to be manic. Yes, the aftermath of mania is horrible, but while you're in it, it can feel amazing. Many people find mania, while it's happening, to be such a relief. Hypomania is even better. In my opinion, it can almost relate to self harm. Everyone knows that consequences of self harm are bad, but it is a relief in the moment. That's what mania does for some people with bipolar disorder.

[@Omegared_o]

i hear my manic episodes still to this day 10 years later its awful i would get depressed too and yell at the top of my lungs and stuff repenting or what have you cause i knew this would bother me later i am schizo too and i hear my psyhchotic bends i wish the pain on no one

[@QueenHalo]

Glad we can normalize more of these open conversations! 👍👍👍

[@bryanjones8202]

A good thing for you to discuss, but maybe not seen so much in most of australia, is seasonal depression caused by lack of sunlight/shorter hours, etc.

[@evavazne604]

Great video. I'm still very unclear of what is mania vs hypomania. Do you always have psychotic symptoms with mania? Podcasts would be great but only on Spotify or some other popular platform. Only because personally I wouldn't want to download another platform. But youtube is great :) thank you

[@alexandereordogh9718]

I have bipolar - my psych dedicated. his life to study of bipolar. He did a study on topiramate with placebo and lithium, he found topiramate was the only efficacious mood stabilizer despite it's popularity, I have seen this in the literature but won;t labor on the papers. too. But to go by the guidelines MIMS it's not indicated, (Aus) Therapuetic guidelines not indicated. Australian Medicine Handbook not indicated. Lithium if tolerated is gold. I might use valproate, lamotrigine, carbamazepine and atypical where necessary. I wrote a few paragraphs written from a person studying neuroscience going though the systen and autism spectrum / journal I would post it public ally if my account was anonymised but alas. Also in the last video I watched I picked up Vienna by Billy Joel I still like it and find meaning in it.

[@dianeleeder3438]

Wondering if it's Dr Ian McMillan.......a very clever and educated man on this subject.

[@Peacock2223]

Could you do a video about depression that has been ongoing and not responding to medication

[@aislyn515]

Would love to hear your thoughts if you ever do figure out hypomania. My bouts definitely feel unnatural and cyclical but very short and it’s so hard to find information about it and what’s normal given that bipolar I understandably is the most focused on over type II.

[@dionysusapollo]

Dr Syl can you give us some of your thoughts on anticholinergic medications and dementia risk, between antidepressants and antipsychotics some of us have been taking them for years and it's concerning. What are the alternatives if any?

[@krittikabiswas8500]

Since you mentioned this, I am also really confused about whether I am overthinking things or I am getting manic symptoms more and more frequently these days. Can you please tell me one thing Dr. Syl? Can mania make you confused about timeline of events ? Also, getting scared by your own reflection because it looks very threatening, could that be a sign of mania too? I'm a bit lost here and don't want to tell my psychiatrist without getting some sort of validation first that these "could" be a sign of a bigger problem.

[@allisonkeevers6076]

I tried lithium but couldn't get to a therapeutic level because I developed salt toxicity. So its paroxetine, sodium valproate and quetipine for me.

[@clarebarrett9323]

Dr Syl what do you make about Israels new study that says they can pick up bipolar by a blood test and can sat who will respond to lithium?

[@tcort]

Can you talk more about bipolar with rapid cycling and how do you distinguish rapid cycling from mood lability?

[@kandymich4861]

Great question, I’d like to know this too.

[@janaR457]

Hey Dr. Syl! Just wondering if you could talk about how BPD and bipolar are connected? The two are sometimes conflated. Duration of care probably also being an influence because BPD patients can move from one clinician to another often. I have also wondered having just come from your attachment chat, If borderline can be seen as something with a more environmental influence. While bipolar is perhaps more physiology related? Thanks!

[@DrSyl]

Great comment. Will do!

[@figz6]

could you make a video discussing bipolar comorbidity with ocd?

[@dionysusapollo]

I want this too, I read ocd gives you a 13 fold increased risk of bipolar, and fibromyalgia gives you a 5 fold increased risk, and I have all 3. From what I read fibromyalgia and bipolar involve things going wrong in the same neural pathways. I also get accused of having FND. Out of all of them, if I could get rid of one it would be the ocd, it ruins your life.

[@stoneyvowell1239]

There are definitely some things that are considered Mania, but are related to other things. It is very hard to distinguish. It's like trying to distinguish a good mood from a Short hypomanic episode, especially if your Rapid Cycling. I will pretty much agree on The psychosis aspect. It seems like if there is any psychosis involved it's an automatic bipolar one even if you present bipolar II. Or it could be bipolar 2 as part of a schizoaffective, which makes it even harder to diagnose accurately. As far as a mood stabilizer, I find ginkgo biloba and caffeine more effective without the toxicity.

[@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe]

I am Good Enough Smart Enough and something having to do with People?

[@tictack0]

can u do a video about art and mental illness lik i have seen a lot of plases use art for ptsd etc to treat and use it as form of tretment but like if u see the simileritys about what ppl draw/paint u can see a simileritys in the art they creat and understand ther mental disorder. like rorchok but ik rorshoc paint test is not 100 % but u can see some intrsting simileritys in paintings and what a person is going trew like pts a lot of videos out ther about art etc u shuld do a serees about that

[@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe]

Dr. Is it wise to discuss Manic Depression hurtling thru a major Australian city in a High Performance Korean Built Aussie econo car?😢

[@Eli.Robyn1337]

Hi Dr. Syl, I’ve been in and out of mental care since 18. I’m 28 now and I’m basically told by my current healthcare providers that I’m untreatable. I’ve been researching for years. How to better myself but my country is very very limited. I also think that it would be an interesting case study for you. You always tell us to leave questions but to talk to our own shrinks to go deeper. But i was wondering if you would be willing to give a look at my situation and a new direction. Because it’s just about counting the days. Greeting from Europe.

[@patriciafry8634]

I am wondering if Narcissism is a co-morbidity with bipolar disorder.

[@mollywhitman5219]

So are mood stabilizers alone better for bipolar depression? Maybe lamictal only? Or antidepressant with mood stabilizers? Lithium does not work for me the side affects are severe. I’m not sure what is best.

[@pamelathompson6188]

I would never be able to drive and maintain focus on a lecture

[@casisdope]

any bipolar self-help books or books to read about bipolar you recommend?

[@charlottel0ckewo0d555]

What are some early signs of bipolar or traits of undiagnosed bipolar disorder?

[@Mishalalzahrani_]

Can you talk about somatization? Since I'm a psychiatric patient (GAD + co-morbid MDD) on an SNRI (150mg venlafaxine). I also started vaping about a year ago. I'm good now, but about back in mid November, I suddenly had a feeling of tightness in my chest for no aperant reason. Went to the ER 3 days after it started. It was hard to speak using normal volume. I was tired. ER doctors (I've been there 3 times in 2 weeks) said everything is normal, and it's a hospital run by John's Hopkins (John's Hopkins Aramco Healthcare). And they told my that it's just a "feeling" of being chocked and that should just ignore it, since my vitals and everything was normal (all ER tests u can think of, were done to rule out any lethal cause for that feeling) So can that be somatization?! *I had an EEG done 2 years back that showed "normal EEG in response to hyperventilation, some movement artifacts, and transients of moderate voltage sharp slow wave activity seen predominantly over bitemporal regions that generalised to other brain regions, with an EEG study conclusion of 'bitemporal epileptogenic dysfunction with secondary generalisation' ". So I thought, maybe a part of my brain responsible for breathing sensation was "overactive" constantly for 3 weeks?! It's just strange since there is a possibility that it's "all in my head". P.S.: I got a pulmonologist appointment next month Thought I'd share this since it might be weird and interesting at the same. Thanks!

[@bl3524]

It might be anxiety. Try belly breathing

[@dionysusapollo]

I'm interested in this too, for a few weeks last year I couldn't feel my feet or lower legs, I was sent for a mri that was clear, it was a very strange experience, I get lots of things like that and doctors just get exasperated by it, now I have what feels like an electric head. None of them knows what's wrong, been told have a functional balance disorder as I have a continuous sensation of vertigo that affects my gait. Its really hard to deal with it all and nobody knows what it is, I suspect they all just think I'm crazy at this stage.

[@spshc]

I'm not a doctor or scientist so I'm speaking with a basic understanding of biology. I was wondering if the reason why lithium is effective is because of its paramagnetic properties. With my limited understanding, could these properties affect cellular activities, that may be not working properly during manic episodes and get them working properly again? Just me musing. 🤔

[@chinami6534]

Hell yeas, I'm bipolar. This is gonna be interesting. 👍

[@boglarkaszoradi4504]

What is the longest time between episodes? So how many years could sy with bipolar spend in a stable state? Also I think not everything that looks manic is a manic episode with those specifiy pathologic overactivations in the brain. In adolescence many people get frustrated, agressive, impulsive and carry out irresponsible actions.

[@ramen2472]

could you please talk about bipolar 3?

[@kandymich4861]

So basically everyday life.

[@feb.20.98]

And when do the symptoms mix? I have been in a completely high state for almost two weeks with little appetite, 2 or 3 hours of sleep per day, etc., but very irritable at the same time, I tried to commit suicide and there was self-harm involved...it's strange. I don't know if it falls into the category.

[@loganmcauslin9430]

Mixed episodes. But, mania/hypomania isn't always euphoric. Sometimes, it's busy and irritable

[@fabiolahernandez1114]

Cool! :D

[@raymondmurdock8603]

I'm type 2 so it's not that extreme but yeah mania can be fun but it's not always sometimes it's really uncomfortable too much energy when you're exhausted and just want the roller coaster ride to stop it can turn into anxiety uncomfortable feelings you just wanna rip your skin off feeling craving stimulation but strong enough for a mind that's whizzing out of control nothing can match that level of energy so nothing satisfies of vacuum in your soul that nothing can fail and like a mixed state where is the energy of mania but the depressive thoughts and rage that is absolute hell all I wanna do is self destruct and take the world with me

[@dionysusapollo]

It's not always great when there's witnesses

[@KayTiplady]

Can you get diagnosed bipolar in later life

[@AishaMBudgets]

yes

[@gamingwhilebroken2355]

@@AishaMBudgets Yes, but with a bit of skepticism and one should probably explore other possibilities. Bipolar I? Not likely, Bipolar II? Possible, if you have long periods of time between episodes. Most people will be hospitalized, even Bipolar II, at least once in their lifetime (usually more).

[@dionysusapollo]

Itd be great to have a similar video about the loathsome OCD. Also FND, I hate the FND label.

[@lisamorse8629]

My 7.5 year old son takes methylphenidate for adhd, sertraline for anxiety and carbamazapine for a mood stabilizer. They say he is at risk to develop bipolar. I don't understand..does he have bipolar or not? As long as he takes all his meds he is pretty emotional stable.

[@Oltimey_Goat]

I'd love to discuss this subject more in depth with you. I started manic depression in childhood and now in adulthood I'm Manic Bipolar. Correct its tricky. My intellect is of above average. That's not delusional. I work in Healthcare within extensive history working in mental health field. My story is unquie. I have never found someone that can help it. What ya think. I'm in America.

[@KC-es3zi]

Driving whist doing a KZbin... now that's risky... not a good example 😮

[@boglarkaszoradi4504]

Hey, you always recite that depression is such a hell because comes with anhedonia. Pls do not spread misinformation! More often than not depressed people are able to experience joy! This type of depression is called "Atypical depeession" althaugh it is more conmon than the so called "typical depression" - which presents with anhedonia. The people you see in the hospital is a different population than those who go to psychiatrists on their foot for medication.

[@bryanjones8202]

A bit better explanation of the amazing discovery by John Cade of lithium - he thought it was to do with urea, and his theory was based on observations he personally had during WW2. How he stumbled on lithium was more to do with a series of lucky mistakes in the labs while going down the urea path... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Cade You are spot on about sleep. Lamictal is pretty good for those who don't have manic episodes often and can always be combined with Lithium, but due to the rare skin risk the time to get to theuraputic dose can take time which is too long in acute setting. Lithium is great for this in that it can start quickly and work in 7-14 days, during which you can also use an anti-psychotic or benzo as required short term.