Bi Polar Depression
I have heard that once you have a manic episode and diagnosed with Bi Polar then you will always be Bi polar. I was 36 with three children and a happy life. My first manic episode was very intense and I wound up in the inpatient facility over a month and then off and on for a couple years. I have not had a manic episode since then and that was 24 years ago! I definitely have depression that is pretty severe at times but not mania. Is once DX Bi Polar always Bi Polar?
@tealBike2057
Hey! I would definitely reach out to someone who is more qualified with mental illness and diagnoses of bipolar disorder and depression. Personally I am diagnosed with severe depression and bipolar disorder but I don't know if once bipolar always bipolar. I would think it is based on person by person but I am not a professional. I'm sorry you're going through all this - and hope things will get better. Thank you for sharing with us - we are rooting for you :)
Here's some resources here at 7cups:
https://www.7cups.com/therapists/search.php https://www.7cups.com/online-therapy/?ob=1
@tealBike2057 I have heard that too. I am not an expert, but for example, the US National Institute for Mental Health website says:
Bipolar disorder is a lifelong illness.
However, I've also heard that bipolar disorder is sometimes misdiagnosed. One reason this can happen is if someone has depression and is treated with drugs that cause one or more manic episodes as a side effect. For example, there's one such story here: Bipolar by Definition?
The formal diagnostic criteria (DSM-5) say:
At least one lifetime manic episode is required for the diagnosis of bipolar I disorder.
This means that if your diagnosis was correct 24 years ago, then you still have bipolar disorder. Only one manic episode in your lifetime is enough to meet the criteria.
Charlie
