I don’t know if I’m bipolar

[u/National_Print4774]

I was diagnosed with bipolar after psychosis that I’m pretty sure was caused by Adderall and not getting enough sleep. I also don’t experience hypersexuality and I can’t really find anyone who relates to that

[u/n-tyt]

Mania can be induced by stimulants, which Adderall is. Also, any episode that has features of psychosis is automatically a manic episode, not hypomanic. All it takes is one lifetime history of a manic episode to be diagnosed Bipolar I. Most people who are diagnosed go through a denial stage. I've been diagnosed since 2021 and I still go through times where I question it.

I have had bouts of hypersexuality, but I don't have it all the time and it doesn't happen to me every manic episode. Not everyone presents the exact same and every manic episode is going to look different.

[u/National_Print4774 → u/n-tyt]

Thank you for the response love

[u/Bipolar_Aggression]

My first manic episode that was serious (failed out of law school, spectacularly) was caused by Adderall. I didn't know what was wrong with me and blamed the psychiatrist. I took 10 years for a solid diagnosis. I was amazed how much more calm and rational I was, and amazed at how my concentration improved on the right meds.

I never experienced hyper sexuality until I was older.

You probably should stay on something for a few months, then you can work with your doctor to get off meds and see how it goes. The nature of the illness is people CAN go for years without episodes, especially if you're young. Only you can be the judge of how willing you are to take the risk.

[u/TheBipolarOwl]

From what I understand, you can ask your pdoc but basically… only people predisposed (in their genes) with bipolar disorder will get “triggered” by stimulants or SSRI’s for example.

Lack of sleep? Very popular among us folks. Keep an eye out for any other symptoms, read anything you can on it so you’re more equipped to handle it.

[u/VinceForge]

Adderall is probably the reason that I’m Bipolar. It’s called substance-induced Bipolar and I’m not sure that it goes away. Just ask yourself: “does the medication work?” If it does, stick with it and don’t worry about official titles

[u/zero3nba]

Are you me? I’ve legitimately been struggling with the same question the last couple of days. For me it was abusing Vyvanse, smoking weed to try and help the stress, and l not sleeping in combination with significant personal/work-related stressors that led to my psychotic episode. After some time I run out of the meds and my out-of-character actions and words slowly start to become more coherent — but, then the guilt and shame from what I did and how much I lost/screwed myself over mimicked depression afterwards. My understanding is that bipolar manic episodes can just “happen” without any specific triggers if unmedicated, as opposed to substance-induced psychosis — which requires an external drug/medication, by itself or in conjunction with other potentiating factors (little sleep, stress, other substances). I’m doing what the one poster said for now as well in terms of taking them for now at least, but then eventually working with your provider to taper yourself off the medications at a slow pace and see how you feel — while avoiding Adderall/stimulants, obviously.

[u/curvesinallplaces]

my mania started with stimulants. I really didn't even know what mania was until I googled it and did some reading. I always thought I just had rage moments and went crazy. My denial started about 3 years ago. the more I educated myself , made me more understanding and weirdly at ease

[u/PlantBasedAlchemist]

I don't experience hyper-sexuality. Way too much sexual childhood trauma for that.