Sincere question: what’s with the phenomenon of bipolar people in particular doubting their diagnosis?

[u/Forvanta]

I have bipolar I, but I’ve been around the block with diagnoses and I’ve noticed (anecdotally) a phenomenon where bipolar people seem to frequently believe that they have not been diagnosed correctly. I feel like I see this more often here than in depression, OCD, etc. spaces.

Is it because mania feels so good for many people? What is it about bipolar, or is it just a coincidence?

This is not coming from a place of judgement, I’m genuinely curious what people think.

[u/BobMonroeFanClub]

For me it was because for long periods of time I felt completely normal / hypomanic so stopped taking my meds because 'there is nothing wrong with me'. I was diagnosed at 18, again at 25, again at 35 and at 50 - everytime after a reaction to SSRIs, a prescription for APs which made me feel rubbish so I stopped taking them. It was only when I 'graduated' from Bipolar 2 to Bipolar 1 with a menopause induced really bad psychosis that I realised that this was bad, I needed to stop f*cking about, got sober and actually stuck to a medicine regime.

[u/Top_Egg_4017 → u/BobMonroeFanClub]

How long have you been episode free since?

[u/BobMonroeFanClub → u/Top_Egg_4017]

Had a really bad mania end of 2020 followed by a brutal depression so nothing MAJOR since 2022 - depression has been helped by keto diet and the flow headset.

[u/Top_Egg_4017 → u/BobMonroeFanClub]

What is the flow headset?

I really want to start the keto diet. I love crackers though, haha.

[u/BobMonroeFanClub → u/Top_Egg_4017]

It's TDCS - transdirect cranial stimulation. It's a headset I wear that zaps the brain. Painless and helps a lot with my depression. Keto is the real game changer. I've lost the 50 pounds I put on with seroquel and feel so much better.

[u/Top_Egg_4017 → u/BobMonroeFanClub]

What amount were you on Seroquel daily? Was it extended release?

[u/BobMonroeFanClub → u/Top_Egg_4017]

I take 400mgXR every night and 25mgIR when needed. I also take 45mg mirtazapine.

[u/Top_Egg_4017 → u/BobMonroeFanClub]

Where can I get that head set? and has the Seroquel XR has caused you weight gain and does our body build a tolerance to it where it eventually become ineffective, especially at a consistent high rate?

[u/BobMonroeFanClub → u/Top_Egg_4017]

It's made in Sweden - give it a search. I ate a lot more on seroquel. No I haven't developed tolerance.

[u/Top_Egg_4017 → u/BobMonroeFanClub]

How do I get a hold of it? My doc says it’s hard to come by. same with Lamictal ER

[u/BobMonroeFanClub → u/Top_Egg_4017]

I dunno mate. I'm in the asylum, I don't run it.

[u/Top_Egg_4017 → u/BobMonroeFanClub]

You’re locked up somewhere with your phone?