Reddit Reddit reviews Why Am I Still Depressed? Recognizing and Managing the Ups and Downs of Bipolar II and Soft Bipolar Disorder

We found 7 Reddit comments about Why Am I Still Depressed? Recognizing and Managing the Ups and Downs of Bipolar II and Soft Bipolar Disorder. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.

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Why Am I Still Depressed? Recognizing and Managing the Ups and Downs of Bipolar II and Soft Bipolar Disorder
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7 Reddit comments about Why Am I Still Depressed? Recognizing and Managing the Ups and Downs of Bipolar II and Soft Bipolar Disorder:

u/I_am_God_really_I_am · 3 pointsr/bipolar

This book helped me understand more than anything else in the past month...in case you're into reading.

u/hydrocephalitic · 2 pointsr/BipolarReddit

If you're looking for information on bipolar ii, the ONLY good book I've read on it is Why am I still depressed? It describes the difference between bipolar 1, bipolar 2, and straight depression.

I'm not really sure what you've seen SSRI's do to people. Can you explain that a little more? I've taken SSRI's and they made me nutso, but that was because my bipolar hadn't been diagnosed. Currently, I am taking an SSRI, but in conjunction with mood stabilizers, it's fine. SSRI's are insanely popular, so I'm thinking you may have seen a rare case, a rare reaction, or an improper prescription.

Get to a doctor right away. If you want the pain to go away, a qualified professional is where it's going to start. Facing up and taking care of your problems is the exact opposite of feeling sorry yourself.

u/Aluckypretzel · 2 pointsr/bipolar2

I read a ton of books, found this one very good: https://www.amazon.com/Depressed-Recognizing-Managing-Bipolar-Disorder/dp/0071462376 - focuses on equal importance of exercise/diet + sleep + meds in effective management of bipolar.

u/[deleted] · 2 pointsr/BipolarReddit

I'm also BP2 and it took awhile to mentally adjust to that diagnosis. It helps me to hear about others' experiences, so reading a few good books and watching some documentaries helped me get through the 'grieving process' and find the words to express to my husband what's going on in my head. One of my favorite books is Why Am I Still Depressed? which specifically addresses BP2. Stephen Fry's documentary (Part 1 and Part 2), and Up/Down are both great.

>The hardest thing I find is telling people, I have only told two of my friends, but do not wish to tell anyone else, is that normal?

Totally normal, and even recommended. Do what you're comfortable with. Good luck and take care; my heart goes out to you.

Edit: there's some good resources linked in this thread, and this one too

u/lindygrey · 2 pointsr/AdviceAnimals

The meds may have sparked a hypomanic or mixed state if you're somewhere on the bipolar spectrum. You may have done better with a mood stabilizer or anti-psychotic (unfortunate name for a very helpful class of drugs that are used for much more than psychosis).

Read Jim Phelps book Why Am I Still Depressed for more info about "soft bipolar".

u/clacrone · 1 pointr/bipolar

My psychiatrist recommended this book for me, although I have yet to read it.

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Its called "Why Am I Still Depressed? Recognizing and Managing the Ups and Downs of Bipolar II and Soft Bipolar Disorder"

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Depressed-Recognizing-Managing-Bipolar-Disorder/dp/0071462376/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Why+am+I+Still+Depressed&qid=1555692684&s=gateway&sr=8-1

u/DidMyTimeInAK · 1 pointr/IAmA

You are correct that there are plenty of people who refer to themselves or self-diagnose as "manic" or "bipolar" who do not have bipolar affective disorder. It really does require a psychiatrist to correctly diagnose, and even then it is a mixed bag. As Dr. Phelps describes in his book, Why am I still depressed?, mood disorders are really on a spectrum, with varying degrees of mania and/or depression from individual to individual, and even in the same individual.

In my own experience, I can alter how my mania manifests, but I can't stop it completely, not even close. You have no control over the racing thoughts in your head; they just keep coming and coming. Talking about them, especially talking about them as fast as they come, alleviates some of the stress of them being there. That's why I do it, I guess.

It's like having a secret that you want to tell someone, but can't. The more you try not to think about it, the more you do think about it. If only you could tell someone, that gnawing feeling of getting it out would go away.

Actually, a better analogy is getting a mosquito bite. Mosquito bites just happen; no one plans to get bitten. Once bitten, you can choose to scratch the itch that comes, or you can ignore it. But ignoring it doesn't make the itch go away, and often times it makes it that much worse, building up until you finally do something about it.

Regarding a "free pass", no one should get a free pass just because they are manic. You still have a responsibility to yourself and others, especially when you are aware that you have this mental illness. When I'm manic I make plans not to make large purchases or important decisions. I consciously try to keep my mouth shut more often so I don't say something I'll later regret. All it takes is one episode where you discover all the secrets of why people act they way they do and think you are the next Messiah who can save us all to ruin a bunch of relationships (true story).