bipolarspectrum

Hi all! I just joined this community and this is only my second time posting on The Mighty ever. So I deal with #Anxiety , #ChronicPain , #Fibromyalgia , #MajorDepressiveDisorder and #IrritableBowelSyndromeIBS as well as a few standard health issues like #HighCholesterol etc.

I met with my PCP this week for my wellness exam. Pretty standard. Lately, one of my biggest challenges has been sleep. I was born with #Insomnia literally. But I have flares that are pretty awful at times, and right now is one of those times. I've also recently started a new additional medication for my #Depression that has been helping SO much! However, my sleep is not improving. I try the "good" sleep drugs and they only seem to work for a few weeks before stranding me back the way I am.

My PCP mentioned that he thinks I might be on the #bipolarspectrum . Honestly, I'm not completely shocked. I've always thought I had some of the characteristics, but also knew I didn't fit the mold for Bipolar 1 or 2. I just didn't know there was a spectrum.

Anyways... not drag on here... He said he's game to try #lithium for 6 weeks if I want to try it, after taking some time to think. That frightened me though because I know how powerful a drug lithium is.

I guess what I'm looking for is some advice on how to proceed? Should I gamble and take the lithium offer to test it out? Have you taken lithium and can you give me some honest feedback about it?

Thanks for reading this far!

Hello world, so I am a new user but thought I would put myself out there to see if anyone has any relation or experience with this question.

I was diagnosed in 2019 by two different doctors as being ‘on the bipolar spectrum’. I actually didn’t believe it at first so that’s why I got a second opinion. Now and after some reflection, I see it or at least have convinced myself that it’s true.

Anyways, my question is: how can I trust my emotions and thoughts if I can have manic / depression cycles? Which I guess leads to another question: are there ‘average’ emotions/ thoughts?

I appreciate all answers or comments but please know that I have access to counseling, hate to admit it & try to be humble but am intellectual and offer get commented on being intelligent. I also meditate daily and try to take care of myself since I believe that I can curve or manage being on ‘the spectrum’ to have balance. I suppose I like to ponder a lot and have problem solved many things but can’t get around the trusting emotions question.

Note - sorry for the long post and thank you for taking the time to read / listen; I respect you.
#BipolarSpectrumDisorder #bipolarspectrum #Borderline Bipolar depression #Bipolar

#MentalHealth #bipolarspectrum #HighFunctioningAnxiety #Depression #litio