not sure that I am bipolar

[butterflybreath]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the forum. I signed up for this forum because I would like to know more about bipolar disorder. I have been going to a psychiatrist since last summer to get meds for depression. My psychiatrist had an EEG done for me and after getting the results of that he said I have bipolar.

Back in 2002 I had an "episode" that I would describe as a mix between falling in love, enlightenment, a kundalini awakening, and a rebirthing. This all happened within a day's period, although after the episode I could see that things started happening a week before and lasted a few months after. Since then I have been trying to figure out what happened and what it means for my life.

Here were my symptoms:
An overwhelming sense that everything is innerconnected
Feeling God all around me in everyone and everythings.
The feeling that I was dying or had died but it was not frightening to me
Lightness and tingling in my body
Psychic abilities
Meaningful coincidences
Falling in love with someone and wanting to be in their presence despite how they felt about me
Loss of ability to tell time
The thinking that I didn't have to work and could be a free spirit, God would provide
Doing spur of the moment things

Here's my question. When I read about bipolar and it's symptoms I see that I have some of them, but not most of them. I have heard this called spiritual mania on other places on the internet. Has anyone else had a similar experience, been diagnosed with bipolar and then realized it was something else?

JEN

[Darfstellar]

Hi Jen,

Welcome to the board! I saw you on earlier. Great name

What you describe sounds like a conversion experience (usually results in a "born again" outlook, and it sticks), and some mania w/ lots of expansive features. I would say the formal definition of someone with bipolar disorder is someone that has been diagnosed with it by a psychiatrist. The pdocs (as we call them, easier to spell) go by the book (literally, the DSM IV). One thing that nails down the diagnosis is simply treating it with the standard medications and it gets better. The medications will depend on whether you are Bipolar1 or Bipolar 2. Anyway the symptoms can vary widely but mania is a key feature. Unipolar depression is common, unipolar mania is not. Bipolars cycle between the two, some times over months or years, sometimes over hours (mixed states). I would say going to a pdoc was a strong move.

A friend of mine is Bipolar but is also a born again christian. I suspect the two things are not terribly interrelated. He is very stable on meds now but has stayed with his faith and outlook on God. (but he was kinda obnoxious in the beginning)

[jk]

Mixed states is what I call the stage between mania and depression. I experience that daily sometimes. It will create a confusion as to what who and where you are as well as time loss. Medications are the best for controlling bipolar but a good pdoc and tdoc are important as well. I must say though the feelings of rebirth is a spiritual personal issue. I too have found the Lord but it was not because I am bipolar it is because it was time for me. I can attribute alot of phenominas to bipolar such as and not exclusive to; paranoia, euphoria, depression feeling useless and life is overwhelming. Euphoria is when I feel I can do anything within or outside the law. I am invincible during those times, so I think. So it is so important to take your meds, see your pdoc regularly and tdoc as well and keep yourself well physically by exercising and sleeping. Take care you are not alone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!