Sounds like a rough ride, anon.
The usual caveats apply:
- not a real doctor
- each person is different
- my experience only
- it’s about quality of life
My bipolar diagnosis gives me a neat little box for me to put my
symptoms.
Any mental health issues of mine that don’t fit into the
box then need to be assessed and managed separately.
If you are given medication for depression, and the medication causes
you to experience mania or hypomania, this does not necessarily mean
you have a flavour of bipolarity. Bipolar is diagnosed when a person
experiences at least one high phase and one low phase. And without
wanting to tread on any medical toes, I think these episodes are
counted only if there isn’t something else present in your
circumstances (such as antidepressants) that could have an impact on
these experiences.
Yes, being bipolar and going on some antidepressants for treatment
of depression can cause mania or hypomania, But let’s not give in to
a cross-correlation. There may be other factors at play.
Assuming you
have not received a diagnosis of bipolarty, the lithium may be your
doctor’s choice because it caps depression, but does not trigger
manic episodes like the antidepressants you were given earlier.
So what is it?
In your shoes, I would ask what the diagnosis is. But I wouldn’t be upset for you if it’s depression. Some depression is treatable. You could be free of it over time. And that’s something to hope for.
Remember what matters.
The way I see it, If the lithium is working in managing your
symptoms, the side effects are okay, and you feel the quality of life
is good, then hey! Good work all round!
But.
If your quality of life is
slipping, then talk with your doctor about possible alternate causes.
And also other management options.
Look after yourself first!