Hi I was diagnosed as bipolar but was never told where I fall on the spectrum. I suffer more from depression but I have had 2 full blown manic episodes. It sounds like I am a mix of both? Or maybe I’m not understanding the difference between the two
What is worse than the terrible side effects from so called anti depressants? I never had such intense suicidal feelings, since I was put on mirtazipine! Robin Williams was on a high dose of mirtazipine!
I have bipolar 2 I guess and but for a long time I just thought I had depression and I just thought being talkative anxious energetic was just my personality
Same, I've been diagnosed with recurrent depressive episodes (depression I've suffered with since childhood hut only sought help at 18)... except I don't believe this to be the right diagnosis Is there an assessment for bipolar? I suffer more depressive episodes than manic/high-functioning. Used to have longer episodes that allowed me some level of stability (ability to dig myself out of a very dark place only to crash again) but now finding instead of months between the highs and lows it changes daily and I'm more exhauated than ever! Meds I've tried don't help and on top of that I have to deal with the side effect. Losing/lost all hope.
AND,THE DIFFERENCE IN BIPOLAR AND ANXIETY IS TOO CLOSE TO CALL,AND MY SON IS 55 AND BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH DEPRESSION AND BIPOLAR YEARS AGO AND WE LIVE TOGETHER AS OF2006 AND I HAVE TWO YOUNG"ER CHILDREN THAT LIVE UP THE ROAD FROM US.AFTER MY SITUATION OF A MENTAL BREAK-DOWN AND HOSPITAL STAY OF ABOUT TWO MONTHS I BELIEVE BECAUSE HE IS THE ONE THAT BUILT THIS HOUSE ON MY LAND HIS DAD AND I PAID FOR AND WAS LIVING IN MY OLD TRAILER ALONE,I FELT AS THOUGH HE WOULD BE BETTER OFF HERE THEN BY HIMSELF AFTER HIS HIPS REPLACEMENT AND MY YOUNGEST SON AND HIS FAMILY FOUND OUT,I HAD ASKED HIM AS HE WAS IN HOSPITAL TO COME HERE AND STAY TILL HE GOT WELL,BUT THAT WAS NOT WHAT MY SON'S WIFE AND FAMILY THOUGHT SO THEY LEFT AND WENT BACK HOME NOW THEY OR MY DAUGHTER ISN'T COMING OVER OR CALLED ME UNLESS IM SICK,AND I'VE TRIED TO FIGURE IT OUT,BUT CAN NOT.THERE IS A LOVE CONNECTION BETWEEN US BUT IT IS STRUGGLING ON MY PART AND MY SON IS CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE.NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IT,AND WE ARE TRYING OUR BEST TO SAVE THE LAND AND HOUSE ,CAUSE TAXES WERE OWED AND WE ARE BEHIND AND TRYING TO CATCH UP. THE CAUSE IS A MISTAKE ON MY PART BUT TO NOWONES BLAME BUT MINE.THE DEPRESSION IS GREAT AND DERIVING I GUESS,AND WE ARE TRYING TO HANG ON BY THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH.
I was the same. I use to think my hypomania was how everyone felt normally and that I was just mostly depressed. So when I started my depression meds I was pretty shocked to find out I just felt neutral and not happy, lol.
I was diagnosed w/ Bipolar 2 when I was 14. I have spent 21 years reading and learning as best I can. I have a strong opinion on the way people talk about it on TV and movies. I don’t think people really understand it. I love your video because it is all the things I wish people would understand. I’m on medication but I still have hard days. Mental illness is something that makes people uncomfortable and the judge you for it. I have bad days just like everyone else. I fight everyday to get out of bed and go to work. I have a full time job and own my house. That is something I lot people can’t do even with out a mental illness. I wish people would see me for my strengths not my weaknesses. Thank you for doing this video. I hope a lot of people watch and understand.
Hi Sara. I tend to get defensive when I hear people throw around the term "bipolar" flippantly. "She's so bipolar." It really is poorly understood by the masses. Although it's still tough for you, I'm glad to hear you've been able to reach certain milestones like working and home ownership. Keep up the good fight. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts.
@@DrTraceyMarks dealing with these types of diagnosis with my daughter except my daughter started issues at a very young age. She has had 3 inpatient stays, at this time is in inpatient which makes the 3rd time, she has many diagnosis and Drs are helpful and aware and say all over every spectrum possible so they watch her. Yet I hear alot from professionals, videos, and others that children should not and it is impossible for children 6and up or even younger to be be diagnosis with these severe type diagnosis yet if in 2 years a child has a psycosis 2 to 3 times, with many other diagnosis and family history of just about everything in the book do you at all feel it is possible for a young child to have early unset of say bipolar diagnosis, schizophrenia spectrum diagnosis,asd even though it's is seen but mood disorder takes over more. I'm currently dealing with this and doctors are cautious and I like that but if it is what they feel bit being cautious what will become of a child in later life with Drs that are cautious about diagnosis even if it's there and why is it that children having these disorders are not somewhat talked about more then it is in adults concidering there is more children with severe diagnosis
Sara Ceppos I applaud you! CONGRATULATIONS! Judgment is so condemning, yet your not just a survivor, you have overcome huge obstacles and continue to overcome everyday that you get up and go to work, every month that you pay your expenses, every time you stand up for yourself, every time you 😊 smile.
I was diagnosed with bipolar 2 when i was 13. I am currently 14 but my “metal health journey” started around the age of 11 and 12. Do you have any tips or symptoms because I begin to question myself about whether or not if i actually have bipolar.
I recently found out that I’ve been diagnosed with Bipolar 2 disorder. I’ve dealt with this for over 40 years (I’m 52) and was originally diagnosed with major depressive disorder. I’ve been on a laundry list of the standard anti depressants over the years, nothing has worked successfully. I’ve developed an addiction to Paxil , (Paroxetine) that when I try to go off of it, I feel like I want to die, so I’m being weaned off of it very slowly while I’ve started a new drug called Lamotrigine. I’m praying this helps because Paxil makes me feel like a zombie and I work 12 hour shifts, things can get really brutal with being constantly tired. I just want to tell everyone suffering from any type of mental illness to stay positive and seek help and don’t suffer in silence. There are good people out there that can help you manage your symptoms. God bless you all.
I had a few manic/hypomanic episodes in my twenties,then mostly major depression there after. I'm 49, and the depression is so severe I have frequent suicidal thoughts. It's so difficult
Thank you. As a mother of a 25 year-old son with Bipolar 1 and a 23-year old daughter with Bipolar 2, I FINALLY UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE. Your videos are so helpful for my family and me. Thank you!
@@samhain9394this is such a rude comment to make. You don’t know her life and mental health conditions are a lot to take in and psychiatrists don’t always explain to the parents very well you should be glad she is learning now
My sister was Bipolar 1, in and out of hospitals for the decade before she took her life in July last year. Her hyper-mania episodes were terrifying. Thank you for doing these videos.
I have Bipolar 1 and what kills me is the hallucinations. They’re very scary and very intense. Also Mania is a pain in the butt, I don’t know I’m in a manic episode until I’ve wasted lots of money on pointless items. Thank you Doc for giving me a sense of direction and helping me feel validated💖
I turned 23 a few months ago, I thought "oh, yeah I had those things happen before." But recently within a month or two I just started having them and my sleep quality has dropped like a rock. I feel like the hallucinations are a very underrated aspect. But I also could be Schizoaffective - so time will tell. I do appreicate you mentioning it, because it's 100% overlooked.
Same, I never realize I’m manic until random and excessive packages start showing up at my home. No big deal, usually, because I can usually return them. UNLESS, I’ve been winning auctions on EBay at any cost, just to win.
I have bipolar 1 but I don’t really get hallucinations I mostly get delusional and paranoid like very bad, I start to get into a state of psychosis and it’s terrifying
I have bipolar 2, and I always felt like I shouldn't complain, because it wasn't bad as bipolar 1 - I don't get as many manic episodes because of my medication. But my depressive episodes when they sneak in are AWFUL. This explanation makes me feel less insane, thank you so much for this. I can share this with my parents, who are constantly trying to understand my bipolar.
Bipolar 1 absolutely ruined my life, and hospitalization was the worst time of my life, but if I think about it now, being in the hospital helped more than I knew at the time, and treatment and medication has really changed my life. People always say you don't need medication it's all in your mind, nothing is wrong with you, but just because I'm good at hiding it doesn't mean it's not there. If anyone is considering stopping treatment and medication because they're feeling better, don't. Just don't. You'll be thankful in the long run. Take care of yourselves❤
The thing that I hate about taking the medication though is all the brain fog and loss for words I get during conversation. When I'm off my meds and getting hypomanic, I can think freely and the right words always seem to come out. I seem intellectual while still being respectful during conversation not cutting people off and rambling like full blown mania. When I'm on the meds however, sure my mood is stable and I'm super calm, but I can't think clearly and I stutter and pause in speech all the time thinking for the right wordage to use. I know it's for the better to stay on the meds, but that's the factor that always seems to trick me into not taking them is the free thinking . It's like I can never be a normal functioning human being no matter what meds I'm on (or off of), there's always an ongoing battle mentally and it all just sucks, but oh well I guess that's just how it is having this dreadful mental illness. I am on my meds currently and I completely hate it, and yes I've tried plenty of others with the same results. However, I understand doing it this way far outweighs the cons of being off them and going full blown manic back into hospitalization again, so I'm just gonna keep pushing on I guess!!
I cannot agree with you more about avoiding the "I'm fine trap" with medication. Ive been diagnosed Bipolar 1 since I was younger and have really just in the past few years been consistent with my medications and cannot stress enough how they have saved my life. And that combined with therapy work and educational content like these vids and books have also helped too.
I was diagnosed with Bipolar 1 last week. Man its really difficult. I just want to give up. I do everything to keep myself busy. I run, bike and do some research for my illness. I hope and pray that I can overcome this mental illness.
I payed for tandem skydiving during a manic episode, the time came 2 months later and the company called to ask where I was, but it was during a depressive episode and I had totally forgot about it.
I have bipolar 2 but it’s still very disruptive. I was diagnosed with 1 as a teen but 2 as an adult- I’m assuming learning more coping skills to bring myself back down has led to a decrease in disruptiveness but I spend probably 75% of my life depressed for months at a time as opposed to swings within a few weeks. But the mania is a welcome break, despite how disruptive it can be, because of how low those lows are. Bottoming out is the perfect word. You’re out of service until you slowly fix yourself up enough to function. I’ve gone months without showering, lost numerous jobs because I couldn’t get out of bed, destroyed relationships. But the mania, the zero savings, hyper sexuality with multiple partners, the belief that everyone is out to get you, everyone hates you but eff that you’re the best and everyone should love you. God I wish it was taken more seriously. So often we toss out that she’s so “ bipolar” without realizing. It’s like saying that girl “has cancer” you wouldn’t do that, it’s weird and It sucks. Thanks for coming to my manic rant that didn’t make sense. ❤️
Can relate. I was Dx BPAD 2 Rapid Cycling, because my hypo/manic episodes usually last 3-4 days and then crash... Because it's hard to go without eating or sleeping much longer than that before your system shuts down. I also have some severe sleep conditions (UARS), central apneas and narcolepsy, so eventually sleep always wins, but the quality of sleep after a manic episode is worse than ever. I guess he couldn't give me bipolar one because my mania doesn't usually last for a week straight. Usually once I sleep it kind of resets me back to depressed, which is where i stay the rest of the time-extremely suicidal, nihilistic and angry at the world that never accepted or consoled me. My baseline is maybe a 2/10. My dog is the only reason i keep going-she relies on me and i owe her everything for giving me a reason to stay here for the last 16 years. But she's aging and it's almost over. We're trying everything, but nothing helps. Lamotrigine is barely noticeable. Abilify didn't do shit except give me terrible insomnia and broken sleep and irritability after quitting. Latuda knocked me out for almost 2 weeks straight, with severe manic irritability and lashing out at people unprovoked in events i didn't remember after my next narcoleptic fit/depressive nap in between naps and full days of sleep. Everybody seems to be confused which box to put me in for mood disorders, but I'm also ADHD-Autistic with CPTSD, BPD and fucking hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome so who knows why my stupid mood fluctuations don't fit the DSM rubrics written by white males with no problems. One psych says BPAD1 experiences depression without much/ severe suicidality and milder hypomania that doesn't include loss of sleep or losing your fucking shit on people... The next one like this lady says BPAD1 is depressed as a default and has hypomania but the cycles are more frequent than with BPAD2... Well which is it?! What about someone with severe daily suicidality even when manic, with textbook display of mania, a personal history of manic breakdowns but a family and social surrounding absent of anyone who actually cares enough to call the paramedics when the mania is at its worst? Why can't people who don't have a good support system be diagnosed properly just because they didn't have the awareness and ability to call 5150 on themselves? Which stupid subtype is "rapid cycling" and why, or can we get a fuckin "Type 3" designation to acknowledge that people can be both suicidal and manic at the same time, or hour by hour? DSM-5 is fkd bs.
Thank you. I was diagnosed with Bipolar 1 yesterday. My manic episodes ruined my life last year. I knew there was something off before. I'm still picking up pieces from last year. Finally got a real diagnosis and started treatment.
Great Tara. Now you’ve got a good starting point. I’m glad you’re on the right track. You may want to watch my bipolar playlist. I group all of my bipolar disorder videos. I continue to add more to it. Bipolar playlist goo.gl/1hKamL
Thanks for the video! I have no doubt bipolar 1 is a nightmare, but I get tired of hearing bipolar 2 described as less severe because our struggles are less obvious. For me, the worst is the agitated depression. I don't know if it would be classified as hypomania or a mixed state, but I know the feeling when it comes. It scared me when it first started happening, since I had no idea what was going on. I was still pretty functional, though. After landing in the hospital and initially treated for depression, I was very fortunate to get a therapist who picked up on the bipolar right away. Years later, things aren't perfect by any means, but I can function like a normal, stable human being. If things get bad, I know they'll get better again, because they always have. I hope research continues to find better treatments and that videos like yours chip away at the stigma still associated with these illnesses.
Hi evenstar253. Thanks for this. Yes that agitated depression can be pretty bad. I'm glad you're on the other side and have some consistent stability. Thanks for watching and supporting my channel.🙂
Dr. Tracey Marks type one because it’s like a car trying to change its wheels on a track that never ends type two is like changing wheels every month or season on what episode happen or triggers.
As the saying goes. “Knowledge is power” when my 18 yr old was diagnosed BP1 after a psychotic episode i was devastated. These videos give me strength, it helps me focus on his needs and how to prepare for what the future may hold. Thank you.
Bipolar II definitely is very very intense. Went through the MDD box, then the treatment resistant depression one, and finally was diagnosed with bipolar 2 disorder. Regardless, the depression associated with it, suicidal ideation, self harm urges and the negative feelings are a truck load to deal with. I'm glad you took the time to debunk this myth though, thank you!
I definitely agree. I myself am 17 and I've always found questionable the myth that "younger people are presenting more and more symptoms of mental disorders", but I'm no longer so sure... I assumed it was mainly due to the (slow but ongoing) destigmatization of mental illness and of the media coverage mental health is getting. Any thoughts, Dr. Marks?
I think you hit the nail on the head. Sometimes when we see an increase in the incidence of a disorder (like autism and others), the reason for the increase is because of more people being identified either through better testing or in the case with depression - removal of social barriers that make it easier for people to report their symptoms.
typing as a 'patient' from the UK... and one who has been on a combo of meds for 12 ish years.. just dealing w the side effects and so on is enough to make me closer to suicide than I was when I was first 'diagnosed'. (that was in A&E). they are life sappers.
This is absolutely the best description I’ve ever heard of Bipolar 2! I had been talking with my therapist and we thought that it might fit my symptoms but this has made it much clearer to me! Thank you so much!
@@DrTraceyMarks Mam can you tell if i had a mental illness or not as 2 YEARS BACK I WAS ALONE AND THERE WAS A LOT OF STRESS OF MY STUDIES FOR CLASS 10 AS I HAD TO DO FULL COURSE ALONE IN HOME WITHOUT FRIEND AND I ALSO DID IT..I SCORE BÊTTER MARKS IN THAT CLASS...BUT DUE TO THAT STRESS MY ALL ROUTINE WERE MESS UPS...AS I DONT URGE TO HAVE MY OWN NECESSARY PLEASURE TOO AS SEXUAL INTENTION AND ALL.MBUT I OVER COME IT IN LOCK DOWN BY MANAGING BETTER ROUTINE AS MY UNDERSTANDNG ...BUT AFTER 4 MONTHS TO 5 MONTHS WHEN OUR SCHOOL REIPEN I HAD ANXITY AS I WAS ALONE AT THAT TIME SINCE MY 10..AND AFTER THAT OMICRON VIRUS SPREAD AROUND AND I UNFORTUNITY I GET IT WITH JOUNDICE AND TYPHOID...AND FROM THEN I DID NT FET BETER SLEEP AS I WANT AND HAD DEPRESSIVE EPISODE AND ..UNABLE TO RRCOVER KY SELF...AS I DID ARLIER...FEEING GUILTY.M.BUT AT SAME TIME HAVE A FEELING OF THINGS WILL GET BETTER...CAN YOU SUGGEST WHAT THIS CAN BE.....OR NOTHING IS IT.
I have been diagnosed with Bipolar 1, but I have severe depressive episodes. I don't think you can really put anybody in a specific category. Everybody is different. I lost my husband to a car accident in 2011 and it has been hard to hold myself together since then. He kept me on solid ground for years. When he died, I knew I wasn't going to be okay for very long.
I'm so sorry! And I think the same. I'm bipolar 1 and never been committed or arrested.... I've been close many times tho. I'm rare according to her. I also have mixed states which apparently is bipolar 1 too. I dunno. I think everyone doesn't know much. Mental health is still so new
Yes these doctors unless they know you can't make a determination based on a broad consensus. I was diagnosed incorrectly by these doctors who in my opinion don't give a shit. I just went thru hell but they didn't know I was sexually assaulted by my ex. They treated me like I was crazy. These doctors don't care in my opinion to take the time to know why you lost your mind. We suffer in silence and their sick need to use harmful pharmaceutical drugs without caring why we act the way we do is criminal. I feel your pain. Only we know our bodies and our pain. I hope you get better I understand loss especially losing my mother in a car accident.
@@madd_megz the problem is, of they want you to give the wrong medicines, is that not gonna hurt even more? I was told I'm bipolar by a very young doctor and I don't recognise myself in such description. He wants me to take lithium but I refused...
Yes, very true. I say this by personal experience. Plus if you add anxiety to Bipolar disorder, it can make you do things you'll regret your entire life. That's a terrible combination, and sometimes deadly too.
I am bipolar 2. I was actually diagnosed when the name was still manic depressive. That was almost 40 years ago. This video simplifies the distinction btw the 2. Thanks.
Thank you so much for making this video. I’ve been diagnosed with Bipolar 2 Disorder and I have been suffering the stigma that it’s just “not as bad”. This brought me so much relief that I’m not ‘overreacting’ and that what I go through is real and so important.
I am bipolar 2, successfully treated 30 yrs now. Even so I really struggle and only recently learned I’m not alone in this. I almost believed “the lies”. Thank you for sharing your knowledge on this topic.
Got misdiagnosed for 4-5 years before I was diagnosed with Type I Bipolar Disorder. It’s one of the most difficult mental illness to deal with it. It takes a lot of therapy, medication, and self care. Without any of that I’d more than likely wouldn’t be here right now. It’s very hard to deal with in a relationship since it affects your partner as well. I’m glad BP is finally being talked about. There’s so much stigma around BP and many people think it’s just being crazy happy and then immediately switching to being crazy mean. I see girls on social media say “I’m so bipolar” after saying they got super angry out of nowhere and threw stuff at their boyfriend or just got in a really bad fight and did something incredibly abusive and they use bipolar disorder to try and make excuses for their actions. A lot of people see others with bipolar disorder as crazy or violent when that’s not always the case.
This is so true actually people with bipolar harm them selves more than other people ,this is why I hated that movie Bat man the last one is was about a man with mental health killing everyone ,it’s terrible ,it made us look terrible
I have Bipolar 1 disorder and people are always surprised when they hear that I have it because I'm a happy person. When I'm taking my meds I'm pretty stable.
WOW Doctor. You really broke this one down very well for me. I am a Medical student and I have always been very confused about these two disorders, but after watching your video, no more confusion. This is great work. Please keep up. Thank you so much.
I have spent my six plus decade life trying not to reveal the struggles of living with Bipolar II. I was misdiagnosed with Major Depression in my forties and almost died in a motorcycle accident when my Zoloft prescription likely triggered hypomania, which I self-medicated with alcohol, leading to wreckless and careless behavior. I was misdiagnosed with Bipolar I in my fifties within five minutes of a frst time visit with a psychiatrist(despite never ha ing been hospitalized for mania), then finally diagnosed Bipolar II and successfully treated for some time with Lamictal. I live abroad now and not under a doctor's care. I found your channel as I am attempting to come clean with my family about my struggles, seeking a path to wellness, and found this video extremely concise and helpful. I plan to share it with anyone who may care, if it its ok with you, may cut selected highlights to include on my bipolar vlog, with commentary. Thanks so much for what you make available. You are helping me. 🙏
I’m Bipolar 2 and this is so true. I was misdiagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder because I had depression years prior to my first Hypomanic episode (but was diagnosed MDD years after developing depression) I didn’t even notice my hypomanic episodes because they were so short, mild, and honestly.. appreciated. When you go weeks to absolute months on end with severe depression, terrible dark thoughts, unable to sleep, but also unable to wake up or get out of bed. Your grades drop, you isolate yourself and such. You just don’t want to do anything or be anything anymore and then suddenly now you’re feeling great, talkative, looking forced to life and goals. It’s such a reliever for the depressed person… Unfortunately, being hypomanic means the impulsiveness, irritation, and the overspending and sometimes getting into trouble which can lead to guilt and another depressive episode following because after a hypomanic episode, I either… Go right back into a depressive episode, go into a mixed episode which is the worst, or be stable for a few weeks.
I seem to be bipolar 2 as well, and since the age of 11-12 its been severe depression about 75% of the time. I've only ever experienced a manic "high" maybe 1-2 times in my 32 years of life. For me, the hypomanic episodes are either extereme irritability or feeling as horny as a cat in heat
Thanks so much for your videos.I’ve been a Psychologist for 45 years and my clients love these short and clear explanations for their conditions. They can show them to their friends and families which is extremely helpful.
These are the best explanations, so practical. I'm currently seeking a diagnosis for a potential mental disorder. So much info out there that I became lost in misunderstanding. But your explanations about bipolar 1 vs. 2 vs. ADHD give a clear picture of the key differences, and have motivated to continue seeking help instead of giving up as my mood inevitably changes. God bless you!
Very informative. There are soooo many people who need help. I’m bipolar 1 and have been on medications for seventeen years now. The medication keeps me stable. I was told to never stop the medication by my psychiatrist. I need to keep med levels even in my brain or I’ll have an episode...not pleasant. Thank you Dr. marks for taking from your free time to help us understand mental health.🇨🇦
I, too, felt that being Bipolar II was a no big deal compared to Bipolar I. Having watched your video, I feel better knowing that irritability, anger, etc. is a hypomanic episode and that I'm not weak by having depression on top of being Bipolar.
I also have been diagnosed as bipolar 2. November 3rd this year, also on lamotrigine 50mg a day. I guess i had a hypo moment the other day..was irritable, then that made me angry cause i couldn't pinpoint why i was irritated. I tried to get in a better mood..utter fail, it only made me a lot more angry. Tried going to the store with my husband and sons, big mistake (i usually either stay in the car or stay home)..nope i went in..wrong move! The store was packed and yeah everything was rubbing me the wrong way, my hip was hurting (bursitis in right hip) and hubby was walking too fast and leaving me..oh man..i went off and walked back to the truck. Fuming and inventing a new cuss word dictionary..i hated everyone and anything at that moment. So yeah..hypomania has a few sides with me. Its a fun rollercoaster..not.
I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder II and your videos really helped me understand my illness better. Sometimes like you said I feel like it is okay and I don’t need meds to get by because I’m hypomanic, then eventually with time, after not taking the medicine; I’ll enter a depressive episode which can sometimes be more intense than others but lingers for weeks at a time.
The best explanation ever heard. I was diagnosed this year, 38 year's later, and everything makes sense since then. Bipolar 2 under lithium forevermore.
As someone diagnosed and managing Bipolar 1, I'd love to see more videos focusing on long-cycle bipolar disorder. It seems like this specific pattern could really benefit from more discussion. Great videos - Thanks for bringing awareness!
Very good explanation. Where I live (Denmark), I feel bipolar 2 is not very well known and understand. Most psychiatrists i've seen seem to hardly know anything about it and much less than what i've managed to research myself. I think there are a lot of people here who actually have bipolar 2 and not recurrent depression as they are told. That is what I finally realised myself and was put on mood stabilizer and anti-depressives. It did help a lot, but it's a continuous struggle living with this. The hypomania is only an issue if it's an aggressive, angry, irritable episode. Otherwise I just feel on top of the world and very positive. The worst part is the recurrent depression for no explainable reason what so ever. I hate when people ask me how i'm doing and I tell them i'm depressed. They always ask me "why are you feeling depressed". There is no reason I tell them, it just happens... Awful thing to live with.
HI PK I hear you. I hear that a lot from patients - "Why am I depressed? I have no reason for it?" It's one thing for the person to struggle with it and have to come to grips with that reality, but there's something a little offensive about someone else saying "what's your problem, you don't have a reason to be depressed?"
Hi everybody.. I can relate to your story with the stigma and the aweful comments....and my depression it’s so exhausted 😩 .....I’m from Mexico and here most of the time if you tell someone that you have a mental illness is like you tell them.... You are crazy, you want to be depressed, that is your fault.... or it will be better...like you have a cold...things like that....it’s aweful and so sad. I think the main problem is that the society judge, don’t understand that it’s really and illness and is not our fault....we need more help like dr. Tracy, more information, talk about our story’s and be with people that really care, empathy and ....maybe they don’t understand everything but they could help a lot by just showing or being there for us!....you are not alone.....there’s a lot of us in this same journey 💪take care!
I'm Bipolar one with panic and anxiety OCD and PTSD. I was diagnosed when I was 19. I really appreciate you taking your time to help inform my mental illness. Thank You So Much♡
Dr. Marks, thank you so much for making this video. I recently was diagnosed with Bipolar II disorder. My psychiatrist prescribed lithium, seroquel and wellbutrin. I’ve been taking this medication for about a month and a half and I feel quite balanced. People and family members tend to underestimate the importance of bipolar II and that makes me feel like maybe I’m just being ridiculous talking about my diagnosis. After watching this video I found the necessary information for me to be more relaxed and comfortable with my disorder and it’s corresponding treatment. So thank you very much for this video !
Hi, thank you for that. It is concise and explains both really well. It's so true that bipolar 2 is seen as less of a struggle. It's not; like you say it tends to be chronic with a lot of depressive episodes. Thank You! I'm subscribing 😊😊
Thanks for sharing Dr Tracy. I've had bipolar II and type 1 diabetes for a long time now. It's really been hell for me. I wish more people knew what people with this condition had to go through, because I know it's hard for people to understand why I can't be more productive, even though I really want to be.
@@DrTraceyMarks unfortunately not. i just lost the woman that i was planning to propose to in November 2020. But in April 2020 the pandemic stress triggered a manic / hypomanic episode while under lockdown alone in a developing country and it lasted for over one year. It wiped out everything. I had been stable for almost 10 years. Now I am looking at the smoldering ruins of a life that seemed so promising in March 2020.
Hi Tracey , I've just watched the 5 signs you may be bipolar and this video. I was diagnosed with bipolar 1 a few years ago at the age of 21 after my first hospital admission. This was due to am extreme episode of mania where I was having delusions of grandiose and pretty much all of the symptoms you described. I just want to let you know that after just watching those 2 videos I understand my illness a lot more clearly. The way you present your content is easy to digest and I just wanted to thank you for making these videos, keep up the good work doc 😊 All the best.
Hi David! Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it. It's very satisfying to hear that the videos help you understand your illness better because that's EXACTLY why I do them. I hope you continue to good help so you can stay stable and do well. This doesn't not have to hold you back from doing the things you want to do. I plan to have more videos on Bipolar disorder based on lots of questions I've gotten in the comments. If you have any suggestions, let me know.
Thank you so much. You make it so much easier to understand different aspects of mental disorders. Your plain , direct and clearly thought out explanations are just what the DR ordered. After being diagnosed as Manic/ Depressive 20 years ago my diagnosis was confirmed independently by 2 different mental health therapists as bi- polar 2. I had never even heard or read of bi polar 2 and I read A LOT about mental disorders. I did feel until today and your video that I was less than because #2 should have been easier for me to deal with because it wasn't as bad as someone with #1. Thank you for clearing that up and making me feel better about my struggles
I have bipolar II and only a few years ago was correctly diagnosed and treated. The antidepressants I took made my hypomania worse and only kind of helped with my depression. Great explanation of the two, thank you for your videos!
Dr. Tracey you are the best. I was recently diagnosed with Bi-Polar II after being diagnosed as Major Depressive for over a decade. Now I have more info. I also love that you didn’t make me feel less than because I didn’t have bipolar I. There is another video on here by another doctor that made me feel like I was less than. I love your energy and patience.
Thank you for your insight Dr. I have bipolar 1 and I prefer this over bipolar 2. I can’t imagine living depressed more than I already do. I’m a su*cide survivor and if I was bipolar 2 I probably wouldn’t be here anymore because the few depression episodes I had, I can’t stand it. I used to lay in my closet curled up in a ball crying to myself in the dark for hours. I can probably say I’ve had 5 of these bad bad depression episodes. I get manic a lot but I get more agitated than “feel good”. But I am glad I don’t have bipolar 2 because honestly I think depression is more debilitating. Stay strong bipolar warriors 💪🏼
Hello, your vids are amazing. I was first diagn. with bipolar 2, but then, i became psichose and got to a manic episode than got diagn with bipolar 1. Keep the great work.
I love your videos... So informative but easy to understand! I especially liked this one because I was under the incorrect assumption that Bipolar 1 was worse than Bipolar 2. Although I'm diagnosed as a 1, I've always thought that I'm a 2, which you confirmed for me. I have instances of the euphoric hypomania as opposed to destructive mania.
i have been Bipolar most of my life. I can still remember a time when my Dad told me I needed to get control of my temper and then he walked away and I stood in the hallway thinking how? I was not diagnosed until I committed a successful suicide October 12 2015 but God wanted me to live. So at the age of 59 years is when I told my doctors I thought I was Bipolar. Ever since then they have paid closer attention to me medically and monitor my meds better but like most doctors today they have to rely on us to help them know what is happening with us so the doctors can properly treat us. Not Enough Properly Trained Doctors To Go Around That Genuinely Care About The Person In Front Of Them!!!!! God Bless Those That Do!!!
I appreciate your videos. I have bipolar 2. I have a difficulty making and showing up for doctor appointments. Naturally I spend a lot of time “self-helping”. Having the view point of a doctor is helpful.
I noticed serious problems from age 12...happy one minute and super depressed the next. I went thru all the mania which helped me work and go to college at the same time and maintain a 4.0. The down side is hypersexuality and very risky behavior. This was followed by severe depression for many days. Now im much older and its mostly anxious depression or shear exhausting depression...hardly any mania. Im on meds which help slightly but its a daily fight. I accomplished alot...college ..great career as a psych nurse and special needs instructor and counselor and mother to 5...but my struggle was real and understood by no one in my family. The movies always show drastic examples not the everyday struggles where we are functioning most everyday but with major struggles. Nothing minor about Bipolar 2 and most of us hide it very well.
Thank you for taking time to explain the differences. Wish my doctor (and all those in between) had watched this 30 years ago. Maybe I wouldn't have been prescribed just about every antidepressant ever invented. Maybe I would have had a proper diagnosis and been able to live a more "stable" life. It can be hard to live with and accept stability when you're not entirely sure what it is (to you, your body's reactions, and your moods)
My psychiatrist recently diagnosed me with Bipolar Disorder but literally told me to my face that she doesn't know what else she can do for me. I am in a world of voidness.
Stay strong ❤️. I believe I have bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder but in the country where I live nobody cares about mental issues. So, I just live like nothing is happening.
Thank you Dr. Tracey Marks, very clear explanation.. I been suffering from Bipolar I since I’m 14 years old, now I’m 42, it’s the first time I heard such clear info about bp 1..
I was diagnosed with bipolar type two in 2009- recently I “relapsed “ for lack of a better term- to be diagnosed as type 1- I have so many questions- I was in grad school for psychology but than my episodes got so bad I dropped out - I want my life back - I feel like I won’t ever be the same again
I have repid cycling type 2 Bipolar With around 5-7 days of hypomania, 10-12 days of depression and around 3-4 days of normal mood in between these two.
Thank you so much for sharing. I was recently diagnosed with bipolar 2 and I didn't completely understand the differences between the two because my doctor was hard to understand but this was very helpful!
Very helpful information for anyone trying to understand this illness. My 21 year old daughter was diagnosed a year ago w bp2 and your videos have helped me help my daughter. Thank you so much!
Initially the therapist I told about my manic episodes were too short to be a type 1 and too destructive to be hypomania/type 2. Now I've been diagnosed with bipolar type 1 but specifically rapid cycling. Your show has been super helpful in processing my diagnosis
I have bipolar type 2 and my depression is so severe and persistent I’ve had a hard time keeping my current job, and every day is a struggle. Though I also feel that because I don’t experience mania and put a lot of effort into appearing high-functioning people downplay my illness and how difficult my life is. I have no doubt that mania is horrific and destructive, but so is crippling depression. Both forms of bipolar are just as bad but in different ways, IMO.
You are helping me so much . I want to thank you for making these videos. I just found out three weeks ago that I am bipolar one. I am 55 years old and just found this out. Right now I have a lot of black spaces in memory.
Thank you. I'm 61 and was diagnosed with bipolar 2 about 5 years ago but have suffered from its symptoms for as long as I can remember. This video has helped me to finally understand this much better and confirms that I am indeed bipolar 2. It sucks.
Definitely seems like im type 2 of bipolar.. but what can i do about it when my parents dont even believe mental health issues are real. I get called lazy and so on when im in a depressed state and even made fun of... it gets really toxic pretty quick. About 2 months ago ive noticed that i have psoriasis on my scalp and face too and im just thinking to myself that all the stress is starting to get to me. (Sorry for my grammar, english is not my first language)
Asmangis - getting past the biases (especially when it's from your family) is extremely tough. I see a lot of people coming to a psychiatrist for the first time when they start college and can go to the doctor on their own.
asmangis oh hun I feel ur pain. My dad knows what I’ve been diagnosed with however I get the same nasty comments that I’m just a lazy ass so and so 😢 so difficult without the support! Maybe look for support groups in your area. Sending good vibes ur way 💕✌️
I am so sorry that the people in your family have no understanding of your illness. I pray that will change at some point. I am glad you found Dr. Marks channel. I am glad that I did. We both need her help and understanding of our illness. I send you my wishes that your life improves asmangis.
I have battled with bipolar my entire life. My first hospitalization was at 13 due to suicide attempt. I look back and notice that I suffered a chronic amount of fatigue beginning in grade school that got worse when I was in 4th grade. As a teenager I even worse. I often got into fights, and was declared unruley by a judge. My thing today is, nothing really works for me. I've had short lived success with Lutuda but after 6 weeks it totally stopped working. Trileptal changed my life, but I seemed to develop a tolerance to it. I wish I had a doctor that listened as I cant keep trying different things and waiting. I simply hate being tired and will self medicate in order to perform working two jobs in order to raise my child. I am single mom and our only source of income. I can not miss work. I'm all my child has. I am not happy with what I do. But like I said, nothing else stabilizes me well enough to work. I need something that works. It would be nice not to have weekly psychotic breaks, anxiety, racing thoughts, distraction, blowing much needed money, blowing up at people at work, crying for hours while trying to work(it's embarrassing). And it makes for a miserable life.
Oh dear, I'm so sorry Cindy that it's been so hard for you. The medication trials can be a drag to have to go through - not to mention expensive. One suggestion is to talk with your doctor about genetic testing for medication metabolism. Depending on where your live and your insurance coverage, it may be covered and a reasonable cost. The test shows you what you're most likely to respond to (or metabolize normally) and what meds you're not likely to respond to. Here's a company that has some information on it if you want to read further genesight.com/
Dr. Tracey Marks Wow! I had no idea we had such capabilities. This is facinating. Thank you so much. That would be great. Even if I can't afford it, knowing that this test is available is encouraging, as I hope we continue to research this thing and talk about it as you're doing. It's my hope that people who struggle with their mental illness find relief and stability. I always knew something was wrong, but I didn't realize just how good "normal" people had it, until my symptoms were removed those few weeks. It was crushing for me when the meds stopped working. I know there is a remedy. Maybe this will lead me to it. Thank you so much.
I’m currently on one psychotic Med, 2 mood stabilizers and a sleeping Med. I’m already is my 30’s and was only recently diagnosed however I’ve been in the hospital several times in my life while manic and have stayed in the hospital once 51/50. My doctor said I was undiagnosed which makes sense since I never went to a dr after an episode and only did when I was spiraling more than usual. Your videos give me a sense of understanding and make me feel less of a lost cause so thank you so much for these videos. I’ve been working on getting sleep I stay up all night but still wake up early. Thank you again!!
Your videos are well done helping lay persons understand. I have a sister I've thought has bipolar for years and from this i'd say bipolar 2. I'm not a professional of course but she refuses to see one. It's too bad because bipolar 2 IS difficult to live with. She makes continual bad choices, can't hold down a job, been married to or lived with dangerous felons, self medicated with prescription pain killers and other drugs, cannot manage her life financially responsibly. My parents noticed before her voice very low like she just got up in the middle of the afternoon not just a few times and she won't invite them in if they stop by because it was a mess. But then she might drive across two states to take one if her kids friend somewhere and look at puppies. She tells a distorted picture of her childhood to the point of outright lies, which hurt people. While I have a relationship it isn't intimate because she cannot be trusted with sensitive information at all. Lastly I tell the truth she grew up in a stable home and I know because we grew up together. Anyway sorry for this long post - wish she would see someone like you.
I just had to say it: I HATE the question “which is worse?”. Ill explain why: it depends on your experience. No matter what form you have, even with fysical problems like a broken bone! Some people experience it worse but have less or the otherway around, being way worse but not really feeling like that. Its a good video for sure but please dont ask it this way. Triggers me 😅
between the years of 2016-2017 i noticed that i've had some of the b2d and it really sucks like i cant explain to the people around me what caused me gloomy and all of a sudden the next day im full of life and outgoing. its like a roller coaster like 2 months of depressive state where i became self-withdrawn and 3 months of hypermania where i became hypersexual cause by some tragic event occured in that timeline. plus, feelings of none self-worth, stress, anxiety and overthinking sprinkled on top. and by learning about this b2d i think i possibly have it. i just didnt have an official diagnosis from a psychiatrist. at the present, i keep myself occupied working out to lessen the overthinking side and have someone to remind me that i am loved. and i just kina self-medicate in a way. i still have anxieties from time to time but i think it would be great to talk to a psychiatrist to confirm this so i could clear my mind
Hi yeddybear! I think it's a good idea to talk to someone to get some more insight on your own situation. Sometimes people can get by for a while without needing heavy duty help like medication. but if it's really bipolar disorder, the hypomanic states over time can result in greater negative consequences. You want to catch it before that happens. If you start a relationship with a doctor, even if you don't need to go to them regularly now, if that changes at some point in the future you can quickly go back to someone who has already met you and know your story. Best wishes to you.🙂
I am currently in my final year of grad school earning my MSW with clinical specialty and your videos break DSM 5 diagnoses so I can completely understand....thank you so much!!!!
A nice concise video that makes it so that we don't have a contest in suffering. I'm a female who's been treated for bipolar type 1 for over 20 years now. From my experience, manic episodes are not that frequent for me because I have maybe one every 5 years or so. Sometimes people have asked me to explain what mania is like and I just kind of grimace and say, "Well I know I'm manic once the cops get involved and I'm in the hospital the next moment with no memory of how I got there." Manic episodes can be incredibly embarrassing. 🙃
Are you doing ok? i have bipolar 1 aswell and was thinking of quitting the meds too because now i follow schedule and much happier place..What made you want to quit?
Interesting, I'm as bi polar as you can get. Lifes been an adventure let me tell you, lol. I liked the way you handled things. You I understood. Hope you keep the videos coming. I subscribed, see what happens.
Hi John! So glad this was helpful. I do have more videos coming - not all bipolar, but I already have some ideas for a few bipolar videos based on questions I've gotten in the comments. So hang in there.
I am glad you are doing more subjects for us out there floundering around. I started this ride when I was 13-14. I'm 57, been trying to ride that bronco for a long time. I watched a couple of video on this subject but they were not very clear or helpful. You I could understand. Thank you. I have one question though that has bothered me since I first looked into this bi polar thing. Everyone talks about cycles in terms of weeks or months. I cycle faster than you can shake your head. I would ask if that was normal... but what is normal?, lol No such thing. Is it something I should be concerned about ? A little late in life to change anything but I am curious.
After years upon years of meeting doctors/psychologists/therapists it took one hour with a specialist to get diagnosed with Bipolar 2 at the age of 30. Thanks for all of your informative videos. Oh yeah, and hi.
I'm bipolar 1. I'm not a doctor or a psychiatrist. But from my experience I'll tell you this. I have gone over a year with no depression at all. Yeah you can have psychotic episodes that are severe with 1 like I have. But the depression with the bipolar 2 is probably worse. Depression is the worst thing that you can have. When you go full-blown psychotic you can at least move around and take care of yourself to some degree. So what if you see things and hear voices . Full-blown depression is the worst thing possible at least in my experience with it. Thank God I don't get it often. I know bipolar 2 people do not suffer from delusions or hallucinations. I'll have times where I could be diagnosed schizophrenic. The only difference is this goes away and is short-lived. Schizophrenics have trouble even saying a sentence. But the difference is that depression is more severe I believe with bipolar 2. Very very difficult situation to deal with. I have heard for years that bipolar 1 is worse. But I believe they are the same.
I have depressive psychosis as someone with bipolar 2. Had one episode of the psychosis two years ago and that's what was the final push for hospitalization. People with bp2 deffo can get psychosis, it's more depressive than manic from what was explained to me
@@lynnr8290 Yeah you can get hallucinations with depression + bipolar II. Not very common. You sure you don't have bipolar one? When I have depression I hear things. I see things and also have weird smells. This is the same as what I'm full-blown psychotic. The only difference is I'm talking so much everything runs together. I just got out of the hospital myself. Not very many people know that bipolar two people get hallucinations with completely normal. Try a older fast acting antidepressant. Not an SSRI. I've been dealing with this illness for 20 years. Abilify is good and they have a new drug called Vrylar. The Abilify is the only drug that's work for me in 5 years. Downside is it's 1200 a month. The Vrylar is 1600. These are the two best drugs on the market
I have type 2, I wouldn’t wish it on my worse enemy. The times I’m in the hypomania stage I feel more productive and I’m happy but it only lasts a few hours or a couple of days. Depression with type 2 is indescribable. I think about Suicide everyday I wake up. But anyways, nice explanation of the types in this video.
@@natefigueroa I'm sure it's not type one, not yet at least. I've had a few hypomania episodes but never full blown, and I've had a couple of doctors (most from an IOP program, and then one private business) said that's what it is. My hypomania is usually agitation, aggravation and restlessness- just a bit more extreme than someone's typical "woke up on the wrong side of the bed" day.
I am technically diagnosed as bipolar 2 but I think I may be one of those rare type 1s that doesn't have psychotic features. My brain gets really loud and foggy and I can't concentrate on anything or function at work.
If you think you have bipolar I disorder instead of bipolar II disorder, please see a doctor or a therapist just to be certain that your diagnosis is correct.
Is being afraid of being drugged or poisoned a delusion? I’m so paranoid of it happening To me that it was at a point I would barely eat or take medication. I was in a carbon monoxide poisoning accident and lost my sister, so idk if it’s a ptsd symptom from that or something else. Some ppl have said it could be ocd. Some say ptsd, and one doctor said bipolar. I’m so confused. I also have really bad depersonalization, Where I feel like I’m in a dream all the time. I have high anxiety and depression.
Hi Rach113. There’s a lot going on here.😊 I can’t say for sure without having a much longer back-and-forth conversation about your history. However using broad strokes - it sounds to me like your fear is more of an overvalued idea that is a defensive reaction to your experience with your sister. You both were poisoned. That’s not the average human experience. But it is in your world. That had to be traumatic for you and I think the “paranoia” anxiety and depression are all a reaction to that experience. Even if you had depression before, that kind of intervening event can ramp up anything that you had before to the next level.
@@ButSheDid thank you this happened with my son before he got diagnossed ,thought people was poisioning him,not even awilling too eat what i cooked ,,lots more besides.
WATCH NEXT - *What is Bipolar Spectrum?* ua-cam.com/video/4WXbvzELws0/v-deo.html
Hi I was diagnosed as bipolar but was never told where I fall on the spectrum. I suffer more from depression but I have had 2 full blown manic episodes. It sounds like I am a mix of both? Or maybe I’m not understanding the difference between the two
So which one is worse I don't understand?
@@melnelson2587 If you've experienced mania, then you have bipolar I disorder.
@@joiscorpio6386 Both are similar, yet different. And neither are worse.
What is worse than the terrible side effects from so called anti depressants? I never had such intense suicidal feelings, since I was put on mirtazipine! Robin Williams was on a high dose of mirtazipine!
I have bipolar 2 I guess and but for a long time I just thought I had depression and I just thought being talkative anxious energetic was just my personality
Hi Claire. I'm glad you've got some more insight now.
Same, I've been diagnosed with recurrent depressive episodes (depression I've suffered with since childhood hut only sought help at 18)... except I don't believe this to be the right diagnosis
Is there an assessment for bipolar?
I suffer more depressive episodes than manic/high-functioning.
Used to have longer episodes that allowed me some level of stability (ability to dig myself out of a very dark place only to crash again) but now finding instead of months between the highs and lows it changes daily and I'm more exhauated than ever!
Meds I've tried don't help and on top of that I have to deal with the side effect.
Losing/lost all hope.
Mary Ponsford could I ask which meds you’re on? May not work for me, but I’m always interested in what works for others 😌...
AND,THE DIFFERENCE IN BIPOLAR AND ANXIETY IS TOO CLOSE TO CALL,AND MY SON IS 55 AND BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH DEPRESSION AND BIPOLAR YEARS AGO AND WE LIVE TOGETHER AS OF2006 AND I HAVE TWO YOUNG"ER CHILDREN THAT LIVE UP THE ROAD FROM US.AFTER MY SITUATION OF A MENTAL BREAK-DOWN AND HOSPITAL STAY OF ABOUT TWO MONTHS I BELIEVE BECAUSE HE IS THE ONE THAT BUILT THIS HOUSE ON MY LAND HIS DAD AND I PAID FOR AND WAS LIVING IN MY OLD TRAILER ALONE,I FELT AS THOUGH HE WOULD BE BETTER OFF HERE THEN BY HIMSELF AFTER HIS HIPS REPLACEMENT AND MY YOUNGEST SON AND HIS FAMILY FOUND OUT,I HAD ASKED HIM AS HE WAS IN HOSPITAL TO COME HERE AND STAY TILL HE GOT WELL,BUT THAT WAS NOT WHAT MY SON'S WIFE AND FAMILY THOUGHT SO THEY LEFT AND WENT BACK HOME NOW THEY OR MY DAUGHTER ISN'T COMING OVER OR CALLED ME UNLESS IM SICK,AND I'VE TRIED TO FIGURE IT OUT,BUT CAN NOT.THERE IS A LOVE CONNECTION BETWEEN US BUT IT IS STRUGGLING ON MY PART AND MY SON IS CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE.NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IT,AND WE ARE TRYING OUR BEST TO SAVE THE LAND AND HOUSE ,CAUSE TAXES WERE OWED AND WE ARE BEHIND AND TRYING TO CATCH UP. THE CAUSE IS A MISTAKE ON MY PART BUT TO NOWONES BLAME BUT MINE.THE DEPRESSION IS GREAT AND DERIVING I GUESS,AND WE ARE TRYING TO HANG ON BY THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH.
I was the same. I use to think my hypomania was how everyone felt normally and that I was just mostly depressed. So when I started my depression meds I was pretty shocked to find out I just felt neutral and not happy, lol.
I was diagnosed w/ Bipolar 2 when I was 14. I have spent 21 years reading and learning as best I can. I have a strong opinion on the way people talk about it on TV and movies. I don’t think people really understand it. I love your video because it is all the things I wish people would understand. I’m on medication but I still have hard days. Mental illness is something that makes people uncomfortable and the judge you for it. I have bad days just like everyone else. I fight everyday to get out of bed and go to work. I have a full time job and own my house. That is something I lot people can’t do even with out a mental illness. I wish people would see me for my strengths not my weaknesses. Thank you for doing this video. I hope a lot of people watch and understand.
Hi Sara. I tend to get defensive when I hear people throw around the term "bipolar" flippantly. "She's so bipolar." It really is poorly understood by the masses. Although it's still tough for you, I'm glad to hear you've been able to reach certain milestones like working and home ownership. Keep up the good fight. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts.
@@DrTraceyMarks dealing with these types of diagnosis with my daughter except my daughter started issues at a very young age. She has had 3 inpatient stays, at this time is in inpatient which makes the 3rd time, she has many diagnosis and Drs are helpful and aware and say all over every spectrum possible so they watch her. Yet I hear alot from professionals, videos, and others that children should not and it is impossible for children 6and up or even younger to be be diagnosis with these severe type diagnosis yet if in 2 years a child has a psycosis 2 to 3 times, with many other diagnosis and family history of just about everything in the book do you at all feel it is possible for a young child to have early unset of say bipolar diagnosis, schizophrenia spectrum diagnosis,asd even though it's is seen but mood disorder takes over more. I'm currently dealing with this and doctors are cautious and I like that but if it is what they feel bit being cautious what will become of a child in later life with Drs that are cautious about diagnosis even if it's there and why is it that children having these disorders are not somewhat talked about more then it is in adults concidering there is more children with severe diagnosis
Sara Ceppos I applaud you! CONGRATULATIONS! Judgment is so condemning, yet your not just a survivor, you have overcome huge obstacles and continue to overcome everyday that you get up and go to work, every month that you pay your expenses, every time you stand up for yourself, every time you 😊 smile.
I was diagnosed with bipolar 2 when i was 13. I am currently 14 but my “metal health journey” started around the age of 11 and 12. Do you have any tips or symptoms because I begin to question myself about whether or not if i actually have bipolar.
@@katheryn3138 I would write a personal note to the Dr. for help with your questions.
where are my bipolar 2 buddies at we all depressed :( but we will be okay soooonnnn
you too
I recently found out that I’ve been diagnosed with Bipolar 2 disorder. I’ve dealt with this for over 40 years (I’m 52) and was originally diagnosed with major depressive disorder. I’ve been on a laundry list of the standard anti depressants over the years, nothing has worked successfully. I’ve developed an addiction to Paxil , (Paroxetine) that when I try to go off of it, I feel like I want to die, so I’m being weaned off of it very slowly while I’ve started a new drug called Lamotrigine. I’m praying this helps because Paxil makes me feel like a zombie and I work 12 hour shifts, things can get really brutal with being constantly tired. I just want to tell everyone suffering from any type of mental illness to stay positive and seek help and don’t suffer in silence. There are good people out there that can help you manage your symptoms. God bless you all.
I had a few manic/hypomanic episodes in my twenties,then mostly major depression there after. I'm 49, and the depression is so severe I have frequent suicidal thoughts. It's so difficult
Some of us won't.
Thank you. As a mother of a 25 year-old son with Bipolar 1 and a 23-year old daughter with Bipolar 2, I FINALLY UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE. Your videos are so helpful for my family and me. Thank you!
You should have known the difference between your children long before a UA-cam channel discovery.
@@samhain9394this is such a rude comment to make. You don’t know her life and mental health conditions are a lot to take in and psychiatrists don’t always explain to the parents very well you should be glad she is learning now
My sister was Bipolar 1, in and out of hospitals for the decade before she took her life in July last year. Her hyper-mania episodes were terrifying. Thank you for doing these videos.
Sorry 🥺
sorry
:( may she rest in peace
im so sorry about your sister
@@SapiosoI'm very sorry.
I have Bipolar 1 and what kills me is the hallucinations. They’re very scary and very intense. Also Mania is a pain in the butt, I don’t know I’m in a manic episode until I’ve wasted lots of money on pointless items. Thank you Doc for giving me a sense of direction and helping me feel validated💖
I turned 23 a few months ago, I thought "oh, yeah I had those things happen before." But recently within a month or two I just started having them and my sleep quality has dropped like a rock. I feel like the hallucinations are a very underrated aspect. But I also could be Schizoaffective - so time will tell. I do appreicate you mentioning it, because it's 100% overlooked.
I am truly sorry
My son suffers as well
I wish I could take it away from you
I’m sorry for your loss ❤
Same, I never realize I’m manic until random and excessive packages start showing up at my home. No big deal, usually, because I can usually return them. UNLESS, I’ve been winning auctions on EBay at any cost, just to win.
I have bipolar 1 but I don’t really get hallucinations I mostly get delusional and paranoid like very bad, I start to get into a state of psychosis and it’s terrifying
I have bipolar 2, and I always felt like I shouldn't complain, because it wasn't bad as bipolar 1 - I don't get as many manic episodes because of my medication. But my depressive episodes when they sneak in are AWFUL. This explanation makes me feel less insane, thank you so much for this. I can share this with my parents, who are constantly trying to understand my bipolar.
Bipolar 1 absolutely ruined my life, and hospitalization was the worst time of my life, but if I think about it now, being in the hospital helped more than I knew at the time, and treatment and medication has really changed my life. People always say you don't need medication it's all in your mind, nothing is wrong with you, but just because I'm good at hiding it doesn't mean it's not there. If anyone is considering stopping treatment and medication because they're feeling better, don't. Just don't. You'll be thankful in the long run. Take care of yourselves❤
The thing that I hate about taking the medication though is all the brain fog and loss for words I get during conversation. When I'm off my meds and getting hypomanic, I can think freely and the right words always seem to come out. I seem intellectual while still being respectful during conversation not cutting people off and rambling like full blown mania. When I'm on the meds however, sure my mood is stable and I'm super calm, but I can't think clearly and I stutter and pause in speech all the time thinking for the right wordage to use. I know it's for the better to stay on the meds, but that's the factor that always seems to trick me into not taking them is the free thinking . It's like I can never be a normal functioning human being no matter what meds I'm on (or off of), there's always an ongoing battle mentally and it all just sucks, but oh well I guess that's just how it is having this dreadful mental illness. I am on my meds currently and I completely hate it, and yes I've tried plenty of others with the same results. However, I understand doing it this way far outweighs the cons of being off them and going full blown manic back into hospitalization again, so I'm just gonna keep pushing on I guess!!
I cannot agree with you more about avoiding the "I'm fine trap" with medication. Ive been diagnosed Bipolar 1 since I was younger and have really just in the past few years been consistent with my medications and cannot stress enough how they have saved my life. And that combined with therapy work and educational content like these vids and books have also helped too.
I was diagnosed with Bipolar 1 last week. Man its really difficult. I just want to give up. I do everything to keep myself busy. I run, bike and do some research for my illness. I hope and pray that I can overcome this mental illness.
I payed for tandem skydiving during a manic episode, the time came 2 months later and the company called to ask where I was, but it was during a depressive episode and I had totally forgot about it.
I have bipolar 2 but it’s still very disruptive. I was diagnosed with 1 as a teen but 2 as an adult- I’m assuming learning more coping skills to bring myself back down has led to a decrease in disruptiveness but I spend probably 75% of my life depressed for months at a time as opposed to swings within a few weeks. But the mania is a welcome break, despite how disruptive it can be, because of how low those lows are. Bottoming out is the perfect word. You’re out of service until you slowly fix yourself up enough to function. I’ve gone months without showering, lost numerous jobs because I couldn’t get out of bed, destroyed relationships. But the mania, the zero savings, hyper sexuality with multiple partners, the belief that everyone is out to get you, everyone hates you but eff that you’re the best and everyone should love you. God I wish it was taken more seriously. So often we toss out that she’s so “ bipolar” without realizing. It’s like saying that girl “has cancer” you wouldn’t do that, it’s weird and It sucks. Thanks for coming to my manic rant that didn’t make sense. ❤️
You made sense.
This was very relatable thank you for sharing. ❤
Can relate. I was Dx BPAD 2 Rapid Cycling, because my hypo/manic episodes usually last 3-4 days and then crash... Because it's hard to go without eating or sleeping much longer than that before your system shuts down.
I also have some severe sleep conditions (UARS), central apneas and narcolepsy, so eventually sleep always wins, but the quality of sleep after a manic episode is worse than ever.
I guess he couldn't give me bipolar one because my mania doesn't usually last for a week straight. Usually once I sleep it kind of resets me back to depressed, which is where i stay the rest of the time-extremely suicidal, nihilistic and angry at the world that never accepted or consoled me. My baseline is maybe a 2/10. My dog is the only reason i keep going-she relies on me and i owe her everything for giving me a reason to stay here for the last 16 years.
But she's aging and it's almost over.
We're trying everything, but nothing helps.
Lamotrigine is barely noticeable.
Abilify didn't do shit except give me terrible insomnia and broken sleep and irritability after quitting.
Latuda knocked me out for almost 2 weeks straight, with severe manic irritability and lashing out at people unprovoked in events i didn't remember after my next narcoleptic fit/depressive nap in between naps and full days of sleep.
Everybody seems to be confused which box to put me in for mood disorders, but I'm also ADHD-Autistic with CPTSD, BPD and fucking hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome so who knows why my stupid mood fluctuations don't fit the DSM rubrics written by white males with no problems.
One psych says BPAD1 experiences depression without much/ severe suicidality and milder hypomania that doesn't include loss of sleep or losing your fucking shit on people...
The next one like this lady says BPAD1 is depressed as a default and has hypomania but the cycles are more frequent than with BPAD2...
Well which is it?!
What about someone with severe daily suicidality even when manic, with textbook display of mania, a personal history of manic breakdowns but a family and social surrounding absent of anyone who actually cares enough to call the paramedics when the mania is at its worst? Why can't people who don't have a good support system be diagnosed properly just because they didn't have the awareness and ability to call 5150 on themselves? Which stupid subtype is "rapid cycling" and why, or can we get a fuckin "Type 3" designation to acknowledge that people can be both suicidal and manic at the same time, or hour by hour?
DSM-5 is fkd bs.
Bottoming out. Totally. 💯
It made perfect sense.
Thank you. I was diagnosed with Bipolar 1 yesterday. My manic episodes ruined my life last year. I knew there was something off before. I'm still picking up pieces from last year. Finally got a real diagnosis and started treatment.
Great Tara. Now you’ve got a good starting point. I’m glad you’re on the right track. You may want to watch my bipolar playlist. I group all of my bipolar disorder videos. I continue to add more to it. Bipolar playlist goo.gl/1hKamL
Thanks for the video! I have no doubt bipolar 1 is a nightmare, but I get tired of hearing bipolar 2 described as less severe because our struggles are less obvious. For me, the worst is the agitated depression. I don't know if it would be classified as hypomania or a mixed state, but I know the feeling when it comes. It scared me when it first started happening, since I had no idea what was going on. I was still pretty functional, though. After landing in the hospital and initially treated for depression, I was very fortunate to get a therapist who picked up on the bipolar right away. Years later, things aren't perfect by any means, but I can function like a normal, stable human being. If things get bad, I know they'll get better again, because they always have. I hope research continues to find better treatments and that videos like yours chip away at the stigma still associated with these illnesses.
Hi evenstar253. Thanks for this. Yes that agitated depression can be pretty bad. I'm glad you're on the other side and have some consistent stability. Thanks for watching and supporting my channel.🙂
Dr. Tracey Marks type one because it’s like a car trying to change its wheels on a track that never ends type two is like changing wheels every month or season on what episode happen or triggers.
Nice
evenstar253 can you help me find the video you made that was about what the difference is between bipolar 1 vs bipolar 2
evenstar253 z
This is great information! People often don’t know that there are 2 types.
Thanks, you're right.
There’s a third type - Cyclothymia.
i was told that there's a long list of various types of bipolar by a psychiatrist.
DOC, Can you give some example of Bipolar 1,Bipolar 2 and the Cyclothymia?...
Thank you❤️
to be 3 specifically, then there are variations of those
I’ve been studying psychology for over a year now and feel like I finally have a full understanding of this disorder, thank you!
It's always good to educate yourself and let it be on going because there's so much more research that needs to be done! 😊
As the saying goes. “Knowledge is power” when my 18 yr old was diagnosed BP1 after a psychotic episode i was devastated. These videos give me strength, it helps me focus on his needs and how to prepare for what the future may hold. Thank you.
Bipolar II definitely is very very intense. Went through the MDD box, then the treatment resistant depression one, and finally was diagnosed with bipolar 2 disorder. Regardless, the depression associated with it, suicidal ideation, self harm urges and the negative feelings are a truck load to deal with. I'm glad you took the time to debunk this myth though, thank you!
You're welcome. I think the current climate of increasing suicides shows us how serious depression is.
I definitely agree.
I myself am 17 and I've always found questionable the myth that "younger people are presenting more and more symptoms of mental disorders", but I'm no longer so sure... I assumed it was mainly due to the (slow but ongoing) destigmatization of mental illness and of the media coverage mental health is getting. Any thoughts, Dr. Marks?
I think you hit the nail on the head. Sometimes when we see an increase in the incidence of a disorder (like autism and others), the reason for the increase is because of more people being identified either through better testing or in the case with depression - removal of social barriers that make it easier for people to report their symptoms.
Great, thanks for responding!
typing as a 'patient' from the UK... and one who has been on a combo of meds for 12 ish years.. just dealing w the side effects and so on is enough to make me closer to suicide than I was when I was first 'diagnosed'. (that was in A&E). they are life sappers.
This is absolutely the best description I’ve ever heard of Bipolar 2! I had been talking with my therapist and we thought that it might fit my symptoms but this has made it much clearer to me! Thank you so much!
You're so welcome Maddie. I'm glad it helped.
Thanks for making this clear for myself. I was diagnosed with bipolar 2. Didn't read much into self at first. Now I'm clearer about it. Subscribed
Excellent. I'm glad to hear this. Best wishes to you.
Shay Lovely Still recently diagnosed myself. It’s a journey.
@@patricealexander9628 me too
@@DrTraceyMarks Mam can you tell if i had a mental illness or not as 2 YEARS BACK I WAS ALONE AND THERE WAS A LOT OF STRESS OF MY STUDIES FOR CLASS 10 AS I HAD TO DO FULL COURSE ALONE IN HOME WITHOUT FRIEND AND I ALSO DID IT..I SCORE BÊTTER MARKS IN THAT CLASS...BUT DUE TO THAT STRESS MY ALL ROUTINE WERE MESS UPS...AS I DONT URGE TO HAVE MY OWN NECESSARY PLEASURE TOO AS SEXUAL INTENTION AND ALL.MBUT I OVER COME IT IN LOCK DOWN BY MANAGING BETTER ROUTINE AS MY UNDERSTANDNG ...BUT AFTER 4 MONTHS TO 5 MONTHS WHEN OUR SCHOOL REIPEN I HAD ANXITY AS I WAS ALONE AT THAT TIME SINCE MY 10..AND AFTER THAT OMICRON VIRUS SPREAD AROUND AND I UNFORTUNITY I GET IT WITH JOUNDICE AND TYPHOID...AND FROM THEN I DID NT FET BETER SLEEP AS I WANT AND HAD DEPRESSIVE EPISODE AND ..UNABLE TO RRCOVER KY SELF...AS I DID ARLIER...FEEING GUILTY.M.BUT AT SAME TIME HAVE A FEELING OF THINGS WILL GET BETTER...CAN YOU SUGGEST WHAT THIS CAN BE.....OR NOTHING IS IT.
@@DrTraceyMarks plzz had reply it.mam
I have been diagnosed with Bipolar 1, but I have severe depressive episodes. I don't think you can really put anybody in a specific category. Everybody is different. I lost my husband to a car accident in 2011 and it has been hard to hold myself together since then. He kept me on solid ground for years. When he died, I knew I wasn't going to be okay for very long.
I'm so sorry! And I think the same. I'm bipolar 1 and never been committed or arrested.... I've been close many times tho. I'm rare according to her. I also have mixed states which apparently is bipolar 1 too. I dunno. I think everyone doesn't know much. Mental health is still so new
Praying for your healing ❤️🩹 🙏🏾
Yes these doctors unless they know you can't make a determination based on a broad consensus. I was diagnosed incorrectly by these doctors who in my opinion don't give a shit. I just went thru hell but they didn't know I was sexually assaulted by my ex. They treated me like I was crazy. These doctors don't care in my opinion to take the time to know why you lost your mind. We suffer in silence and their sick need to use harmful pharmaceutical drugs without caring why we act the way we do is criminal. I feel your pain. Only we know our bodies and our pain. I hope you get better I understand loss especially losing my mother in a car accident.
@@madd_megz the problem is, of they want you to give the wrong medicines, is that not gonna hurt even more? I was told I'm bipolar by a very young doctor and I don't recognise myself in such description. He wants me to take lithium but I refused...
Yes, very true. I say this by personal experience. Plus if you add anxiety to Bipolar disorder, it can make you do things you'll regret your entire life. That's a terrible combination, and sometimes deadly too.
I am bipolar 2. I was actually diagnosed when the name was still manic depressive. That was almost 40 years ago. This video simplifies the distinction btw the 2. Thanks.
Same
Thank you so much for making this video. I’ve been diagnosed with Bipolar 2 Disorder and I have been suffering the stigma that it’s just “not as bad”. This brought me so much relief that I’m not ‘overreacting’ and that what I go through is real and so important.
I'm so glad to hear that. The effort that goes into making these videos is all worth it when I hear comments like this. Thank you!
I am bipolar 2, successfully treated 30 yrs now. Even so I really struggle and only recently learned I’m not alone in this. I almost believed “the lies”. Thank you for sharing your knowledge on this topic.
Got misdiagnosed for 4-5 years before I was diagnosed with Type I Bipolar Disorder. It’s one of the most difficult mental illness to deal with it. It takes a lot of therapy, medication, and self care. Without any of that I’d more than likely wouldn’t be here right now. It’s very hard to deal with in a relationship since it affects your partner as well. I’m glad BP is finally being talked about. There’s so much stigma around BP and many people think it’s just being crazy happy and then immediately switching to being crazy mean. I see girls on social media say “I’m so bipolar” after saying they got super angry out of nowhere and threw stuff at their boyfriend or just got in a really bad fight and did something incredibly abusive and they use bipolar disorder to try and make excuses for their actions. A lot of people see others with bipolar disorder as crazy or violent when that’s not always the case.
This is so true actually people with bipolar harm them selves more than other people ,this is why I hated that movie Bat man the last one is was about a man with mental health killing everyone ,it’s terrible ,it made us look terrible
I have Bipolar 1 disorder and people are always surprised when they hear that I have it because I'm a happy person. When I'm taking my meds I'm pretty stable.
WOW Doctor. You really broke this one down very well for me. I am a Medical student and I have always been very confused about these two disorders, but after watching your video, no more confusion. This is great work. Please keep up. Thank you so much.
I have spent my six plus decade life trying not to reveal the struggles of living with Bipolar II. I was misdiagnosed with Major Depression in my forties and almost died in a motorcycle accident when my Zoloft prescription likely triggered hypomania, which I self-medicated with alcohol, leading to wreckless and careless behavior. I was misdiagnosed with Bipolar I in my fifties within five minutes of a frst time visit with a psychiatrist(despite never ha ing been hospitalized for mania), then finally diagnosed Bipolar II and successfully treated for some time with Lamictal. I live abroad now and not under a doctor's care. I found your channel as I am attempting to come clean with my family about my struggles, seeking a path to wellness, and found this video extremely concise and helpful. I plan to share it with anyone who may care, if it its ok with you, may cut selected highlights to include on my bipolar vlog, with commentary. Thanks so much for what you make available. You are helping me. 🙏
I’m Bipolar 2 and this is so true. I was misdiagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder because I had depression years prior to my first Hypomanic episode (but was diagnosed MDD years after developing depression)
I didn’t even notice my hypomanic episodes because they were so short, mild, and honestly.. appreciated. When you go weeks to absolute months on end with severe depression, terrible dark thoughts, unable to sleep, but also unable to wake up or get out of bed. Your grades drop, you isolate yourself and such. You just don’t want to do anything or be anything anymore and then suddenly now you’re feeling great, talkative, looking forced to life and goals. It’s such a reliever for the depressed person… Unfortunately, being hypomanic means the impulsiveness, irritation, and the overspending and sometimes getting into trouble which can lead to guilt and another depressive episode following because after a hypomanic episode, I either… Go right back into a depressive episode, go into a mixed episode which is the worst, or be stable for a few weeks.
I’m not sure what you’re taking for yours and we’re all different. Latuda has really made a difference for me.
Bipolar ll doesnt mean its "less severe" at all, i suffer with this type of Bipolar if anything my depression is more severe and a longer
I seem to be bipolar 2 as well, and since the age of 11-12 its been severe depression about 75% of the time. I've only ever experienced a manic "high" maybe 1-2 times in my 32 years of life. For me, the hypomanic episodes are either extereme irritability or feeling as horny as a cat in heat
Am bp2 past 20 years and God am sick of life ..nothing gotten easy
@@saywhatyouwant888 same here.
YES 100%
As a person diagnosed with Bipolar Type II for 19 years, watching this video is an eye opener and I finally understand myself better. Thanks Doctor!
As someone who was diagnosed Bipolar disorder II later in life, I found this helpful. It added a little more clarity. Thank you. ❣️
Thanks so much for your videos.I’ve been a Psychologist for 45 years and my clients love these short and clear explanations for their conditions. They can show them to their friends and families which is extremely helpful.
Thank you so much for sharing this. Very classy lady.
Thanks so much Kristen!
These are the best explanations, so practical. I'm currently seeking a diagnosis for a potential mental disorder. So much info out there that I became lost in misunderstanding. But your explanations about bipolar 1 vs. 2 vs. ADHD give a clear picture of the key differences, and have motivated to continue seeking help instead of giving up as my mood inevitably changes. God bless you!
Very informative. There are soooo many people who need help. I’m bipolar 1 and have been on medications for seventeen years now. The medication keeps me stable. I was told to never stop the medication by my psychiatrist. I need to keep med levels even in my brain or I’ll have an episode...not pleasant. Thank you Dr. marks for taking from your free time to help us understand mental health.🇨🇦
You're so welcome Betty! Generally for bipolar disorder, you don't get on and off meds - so good for you for staying on them and being stable. 🙂
You can tell you are a very dedicated and passionate doctor. Thank you for your videos.
I love you doctor, you don’t leave any tips or derails. Everything becomes clear as you start to speak 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼
I, too, felt that being Bipolar II was a no big deal compared to Bipolar I. Having watched your video, I feel better knowing that irritability, anger, etc. is a hypomanic episode and that I'm not weak by having depression on top of being Bipolar.
Excellent, that's awesome Kelly! Thanks for chiming in.
I also have been diagnosed as bipolar 2. November 3rd this year, also on lamotrigine 50mg a day. I guess i had a hypo moment the other day..was irritable, then that made me angry cause i couldn't pinpoint why i was irritated. I tried to get in a better mood..utter fail, it only made me a lot more angry. Tried going to the store with my husband and sons, big mistake (i usually either stay in the car or stay home)..nope i went in..wrong move! The store was packed and yeah everything was rubbing me the wrong way, my hip was hurting (bursitis in right hip) and hubby was walking too fast and leaving me..oh man..i went off and walked back to the truck. Fuming and inventing a new cuss word dictionary..i hated everyone and anything at that moment. So yeah..hypomania has a few sides with me. Its a fun rollercoaster..not.
Are you guys always in either of these states... or is there a baseline time in between?
@@BradfordplainviewCre8iv there are periods where people are baseline
I have bipolar 1, the mania has been very extreme. Great video.
Thank you Doctor Who🙂
I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder II and your videos really helped me understand my illness better.
Sometimes like you said I feel like it is okay and I don’t need meds to get by because I’m hypomanic, then eventually with time, after not taking the medicine; I’ll enter a depressive episode which can sometimes be more intense than others but lingers for weeks at a time.
The best explanation ever heard. I was diagnosed this year, 38 year's later, and everything makes sense since then. Bipolar 2 under lithium forevermore.
As someone diagnosed and managing Bipolar 1, I'd love to see more videos focusing on long-cycle bipolar disorder. It seems like this specific pattern could really benefit from more discussion. Great videos - Thanks for bringing awareness!
Thank you. I was diagnosed with bipolar type 2 today this helped a lot with understanding what I'm going through
Same, how’s it going?
Very good explanation. Where I live (Denmark), I feel bipolar 2 is not very well known and understand. Most psychiatrists i've seen seem to hardly know anything about it and much less than what i've managed to research myself. I think there are a lot of people here who actually have bipolar 2 and not recurrent depression as they are told. That is what I finally realised myself and was put on mood stabilizer and anti-depressives. It did help a lot, but it's a continuous struggle living with this. The hypomania is only an issue if it's an aggressive, angry, irritable episode. Otherwise I just feel on top of the world and very positive. The worst part is the recurrent depression for no explainable reason what so ever. I hate when people ask me how i'm doing and I tell them i'm depressed. They always ask me "why are you feeling depressed". There is no reason I tell them, it just happens... Awful thing to live with.
HI PK I hear you. I hear that a lot from patients - "Why am I depressed? I have no reason for it?" It's one thing for the person to struggle with it and have to come to grips with that reality, but there's something a little offensive about someone else saying "what's your problem, you don't have a reason to be depressed?"
I can relate!
PK, My grandmother and her twin sister emigrated from Denmark many, many years ago. Just wanted to say "Hello"
P K that is so weird because here in Norway it is apparantly more known than in Denmark😳
Hi everybody.. I can relate to your story with the stigma and the aweful comments....and my depression it’s so exhausted 😩 .....I’m from Mexico and here most of the time if you tell someone that you have a mental illness is like you tell them.... You are crazy, you want to be depressed, that is your fault.... or it will be better...like you have a cold...things like that....it’s aweful and so sad. I think the main problem is that the society judge, don’t understand that it’s really and illness and is not our fault....we need more help like dr. Tracy, more information, talk about our story’s and be with people that really care, empathy and ....maybe they don’t understand everything but they could help a lot by just showing or being there for us!....you are not alone.....there’s a lot of us in this same journey 💪take care!
This was extremely helpful and highly informative in a way that the average person can understand. Thank you!
Thanks Rick. That's my goal to make it accurate, yet understandable. Thanks for watching.
I'm Bipolar one with panic and anxiety OCD and PTSD. I was diagnosed when I was 19. I really appreciate you taking your time to help inform my mental illness. Thank You So Much♡
Dr. Marks, thank you so much for making this video. I recently was diagnosed with Bipolar II disorder. My psychiatrist prescribed lithium, seroquel and wellbutrin. I’ve been taking this medication for about a month and a half and I feel quite balanced. People and family members tend to underestimate the importance of bipolar II and that makes me feel like maybe I’m just being ridiculous talking about my diagnosis. After watching this video I found the necessary information for me to be more relaxed and comfortable with my disorder and it’s corresponding treatment. So thank you very much for this video !
You're welcome. I'm so glad you got clarity from it.
Hi, thank you for that. It is concise and explains both really well. It's so true that bipolar 2 is seen as less of a struggle. It's not; like you say it tends to be chronic with a lot of depressive episodes. Thank You! I'm subscribing 😊😊
Thanks a lot Janice. Let me know if there's something you'd like to hear about.
Thanks for sharing Dr Tracy. I've had bipolar II and type 1 diabetes for a long time now. It's really been hell for me. I wish more people knew what people with this condition had to go through, because I know it's hard for people to understand why I can't be more productive, even though I really want to be.
God bless you for guidance to the sufferers. Solution for bipolar disorder
You have made me feel REALLY good about myself. I'm glad that I have part 2 instead of part 1.
I’m diagnosed with bipolar one and it’s hell. It ruined so many relationships with friends.
I'm sorry you've had that experience. Maybe some of them are mendable with second chances...
@@DrTraceyMarks unfortunately not. i just lost the woman that i was planning to propose to in November 2020. But in April 2020 the pandemic stress triggered a manic / hypomanic episode while under lockdown alone in a developing country and it lasted for over one year. It wiped out everything. I had been stable for almost 10 years. Now I am looking at the smoldering ruins of a life that seemed so promising in March 2020.
@@downtownfarm so I’m guessing that you’re on opioids
@@downtownfarm the longer a person is on those drugs the less happy they’re going to be
@@downtownfarm I used to be on that shit too but I’ve made the move to medical marijuana and I am better than I have ever been
Love how thorough your explanations are. Thank you!
Than YOU! I appreciate the feedback.
Hi Tracey , I've just watched the 5 signs you may be bipolar and this video. I was diagnosed with bipolar 1 a few years ago at the age of 21 after my first hospital admission. This was due to am extreme episode of mania where I was having delusions of grandiose and pretty much all of the symptoms you described. I just want to let you know that after just watching those 2 videos I understand my illness a lot more clearly. The way you present your content is easy to digest and I just wanted to thank you for making these videos, keep up the good work doc 😊 All the best.
Hi David! Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it. It's very satisfying to hear that the videos help you understand your illness better because that's EXACTLY why I do them. I hope you continue to good help so you can stay stable and do well. This doesn't not have to hold you back from doing the things you want to do. I plan to have more videos on Bipolar disorder based on lots of questions I've gotten in the comments. If you have any suggestions, let me know.
Thank you so much. You make it so much easier to understand different aspects of mental disorders. Your plain , direct and clearly thought out explanations are just what the DR ordered. After being diagnosed as Manic/ Depressive 20 years ago my diagnosis was confirmed independently by 2 different mental health therapists as bi- polar 2. I had never even heard or read of bi polar 2 and I read A LOT about mental disorders. I did feel until today and your video that I was less than because #2 should have been easier for me to deal with because it wasn't as bad as someone with #1. Thank you for clearing that up and making me feel better about my struggles
Thank you for these videos. You are helping me understand my 19 yo son
Awesome. So glad to hear that. I'm open to suggestions if you have a question you want answered.
I have bipolar II and only a few years ago was correctly diagnosed and treated.
The antidepressants I took made my hypomania worse and only kind of helped with my depression.
Great explanation of the two, thank you for your videos!
You're welcome The Scott Sattler! I'm glad you finally got correctly diagnosed and treated.
The Scott Sattler I’m going through the same..
May I ask how it made your hypomania worse?
Dr. Tracey you are the best. I was recently diagnosed with Bi-Polar II after being diagnosed as Major Depressive for over a decade. Now I have more info. I also love that you didn’t make me feel less than because I didn’t have bipolar I. There is another video on here by another doctor that made me feel like I was less than. I love your energy and patience.
Dr. I LOVE YOU! It's so helpful to understand a person I love, and not blame me too much for her anger and "hate" she have towards me!
It's good for me to watch this video as my husband is suffering for the Bipolar disorder.
Glad to help Carrie. I hope he's getting help.
You've explained this so well. Thank you
You’re welcome.
Been diagnosed 2 for years. For the first time, I actually felt seen and understood watching this.
Thank you for your insight Dr. I have bipolar 1 and I prefer this over bipolar 2. I can’t imagine living depressed more than I already do. I’m a su*cide survivor and if I was bipolar 2 I probably wouldn’t be here anymore because the few depression episodes I had, I can’t stand it. I used to lay in my closet curled up in a ball crying to myself in the dark for hours. I can probably say I’ve had 5 of these bad bad depression episodes. I get manic a lot but I get more agitated than “feel good”. But I am glad I don’t have bipolar 2 because honestly I think depression is more debilitating. Stay strong bipolar warriors 💪🏼
Hello, your vids are amazing. I was first diagn. with bipolar 2, but then, i became psichose and got to a manic episode than got diagn with bipolar 1. Keep the great work.
Thanks so much Danillo! That's so common for the diagnosis to happen like that. I hope you stay well. 🙂
I love your videos... So informative but easy to understand! I especially liked this one because I was under the incorrect assumption that Bipolar 1 was worse than Bipolar 2. Although I'm diagnosed as a 1, I've always thought that I'm a 2, which you confirmed for me. I have instances of the euphoric hypomania as opposed to destructive mania.
i have been Bipolar most of my life. I can still remember a time when my Dad told me I needed to get control of my temper and then he walked away and I stood in the hallway thinking how? I was not diagnosed until I committed a successful suicide October 12 2015 but God wanted me to live. So at the age of 59 years is when I told my doctors I thought I was Bipolar. Ever since then they have paid closer attention to me medically and monitor my meds better but like most doctors today they have to rely on us to help them know what is happening with us so the doctors can properly treat us. Not Enough Properly Trained Doctors To Go Around That Genuinely Care About The Person In Front Of Them!!!!! God Bless Those That Do!!!
Hope you are feeling ok. I pray that God brings you peace that your symptoms are minimal n controlled in Jesus name. Amen
I appreciate your videos. I have bipolar 2. I have a difficulty making and showing up for doctor appointments. Naturally I spend a lot of time “self-helping”. Having the view point of a doctor is helpful.
Nice to have the differences clearly defined. Thank you.
I noticed serious problems from age 12...happy one minute and super depressed the next. I went thru all the mania which helped me work and go to college at the same time and maintain a 4.0. The down side is hypersexuality and very risky behavior. This was followed by severe depression for many days.
Now im much older and its mostly anxious depression or shear exhausting depression...hardly any mania.
Im on meds which help slightly but its a daily fight. I accomplished alot...college ..great career as a psych nurse and special needs instructor and counselor and mother to 5...but my struggle was real and understood by no one in my family.
The movies always show drastic examples not the everyday struggles where we are functioning most everyday but with major struggles.
Nothing minor about Bipolar 2 and most of us hide it very well.
Thank you for taking time to explain the differences. Wish my doctor (and all those in between) had watched this 30 years ago. Maybe I wouldn't have been prescribed just about every antidepressant ever invented. Maybe I would have had a proper diagnosis and been able to live a more "stable" life. It can be hard to live with and accept stability when you're not entirely sure what it is (to you, your body's reactions, and your moods)
You're welcome Artistically Random! 🤗 I hope things are much better for you now.
@@DrTraceyMarks some days are still a struggle, but now it's only about 15% of the days instead of 95% being a huge struggle...
Ok, that's good reduction. But I get that the 15% is still hard.
My psychiatrist recently diagnosed me with Bipolar Disorder but literally told me to my face that she doesn't know what else she can do for me. I am in a world of voidness.
Stay strong ❤️. I believe I have bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder but in the country where I live nobody cares about mental issues. So, I just live like nothing is happening.
Thank you Dr. Tracey Marks, very clear explanation.. I been suffering from Bipolar I since I’m 14 years old, now I’m 42, it’s the first time I heard such clear info about bp 1..
Very informative and your voice fluctuations make you a pleasure to listen to. Thanks for the great videos
I was diagnosed with bipolar type two in 2009- recently I “relapsed “ for lack of a better term- to be diagnosed as type 1- I have so many questions- I was in grad school for psychology but than my episodes got so bad I dropped out - I want my life back - I feel like I won’t ever be the same again
I have repid cycling type 2 Bipolar
With around 5-7 days of hypomania,
10-12 days of depression and around 3-4 days of normal mood in between these two.
Thank you so much for sharing. I was recently diagnosed with bipolar 2 and I didn't completely understand the differences between the two because my doctor was hard to understand but this was very helpful!
You're so welcome Allison!
Very helpful information for anyone trying to understand this illness. My 21 year old daughter was diagnosed a year ago w bp2 and your videos have helped me help my daughter. Thank you so much!
Initially the therapist I told about my manic episodes were too short to be a type 1 and too destructive to be hypomania/type 2.
Now I've been diagnosed with bipolar type 1 but specifically rapid cycling.
Your show has been super helpful in processing my diagnosis
I have bipolar type 2 and my depression is so severe and persistent I’ve had a hard time keeping my current job, and every day is a struggle. Though I also feel that because I don’t experience mania and put a lot of effort into appearing high-functioning people downplay my illness and how difficult my life is. I have no doubt that mania is horrific and destructive, but so is crippling depression. Both forms of bipolar are just as bad but in different ways, IMO.
Soul I completely agree. Hope you are ok xx
Hi
Kindly let's know what kind of jobs they can persue in their life?
Is there any problem for taking lithium?
What causes bipolar disorder?
Thank you for this video ..it really helps to hear exactly what is happening...
you're welcome Misty! 🙂
You are helping me so much . I want to thank you for making these videos. I just found out three weeks ago that I am bipolar one. I am 55 years old and just found this out. Right now I have a lot of black spaces in memory.
Thank you. I'm 61 and was diagnosed with bipolar 2 about 5 years ago but have suffered from its symptoms for as long as I can remember. This video has helped me to finally understand this much better and confirms that I am indeed bipolar 2. It sucks.
This static background noise is really triggering me, OHHH GODDDD!!!!
Definitely seems like im type 2 of bipolar.. but what can i do about it when my parents dont even believe mental health issues are real. I get called lazy and so on when im in a depressed state and even made fun of... it gets really toxic pretty quick. About 2 months ago ive noticed that i have psoriasis on my scalp and face too and im just thinking to myself that all the stress is starting to get to me. (Sorry for my grammar, english is not my first language)
Asmangis - getting past the biases (especially when it's from your family) is extremely tough. I see a lot of people coming to a psychiatrist for the first time when they start college and can go to the doctor on their own.
My family is literally like yours and it’s so tough to handle
i feel ya, im in pretty much same situation
asmangis oh hun I feel ur pain. My dad knows what I’ve been diagnosed with however I get the same nasty comments that I’m just a lazy ass so and so 😢 so difficult without the support! Maybe look for support groups in your area. Sending good vibes ur way 💕✌️
I am so sorry that the people in your family have no understanding of your illness. I pray that will change at some point. I am glad you found Dr. Marks channel. I am glad that I did. We both need her help and understanding of our illness. I send you my wishes that your life improves asmangis.
I have battled with bipolar my entire life. My first hospitalization was at 13 due to suicide attempt. I look back and notice that I suffered a chronic amount of fatigue beginning in grade school that got worse when I was in 4th grade. As a teenager I even worse. I often got into fights, and was declared unruley by a judge. My thing today is, nothing really works for me. I've had short lived success with Lutuda but after 6 weeks it totally stopped working. Trileptal changed my life, but I seemed to develop a tolerance to it. I wish I had a doctor that listened as I cant keep trying different things and waiting. I simply hate being tired and will self medicate in order to perform working two jobs in order to raise my child. I am single mom and our only source of income. I can not miss work. I'm all my child has. I am not happy with what I do. But like I said, nothing else stabilizes me well enough to work. I need something that works. It would be nice not to have weekly psychotic breaks, anxiety, racing thoughts, distraction, blowing much needed money, blowing up at people at work, crying for hours while trying to work(it's embarrassing). And it makes for a miserable life.
Oh dear, I'm so sorry Cindy that it's been so hard for you. The medication trials can be a drag to have to go through - not to mention expensive. One suggestion is to talk with your doctor about genetic testing for medication metabolism. Depending on where your live and your insurance coverage, it may be covered and a reasonable cost. The test shows you what you're most likely to respond to (or metabolize normally) and what meds you're not likely to respond to. Here's a company that has some information on it if you want to read further genesight.com/
Dr. Tracey Marks Wow! I had no idea we had such capabilities. This is facinating. Thank you so much. That would be great. Even if I can't afford it, knowing that this test is available is encouraging, as I hope we continue to research this thing and talk about it as you're doing. It's my hope that people who struggle with their mental illness find relief and stability. I always knew something was wrong, but I didn't realize just how good "normal" people had it, until my symptoms were removed those few weeks. It was crushing for me when the meds stopped working. I know there is a remedy. Maybe this will lead me to it. Thank you so much.
Try weed
I’m currently on one psychotic Med, 2 mood stabilizers and a sleeping Med. I’m already is my 30’s and was only recently diagnosed however I’ve been in the hospital several times in my life while manic and have stayed in the hospital once 51/50. My doctor said I was undiagnosed which makes sense since I never went to a dr after an episode and only did when I was spiraling more than usual. Your videos give me a sense of understanding and make me feel less of a lost cause so thank you so much for these videos. I’ve been working on getting sleep I stay up all night but still wake up early. Thank you again!!
Your videos are well done helping lay persons understand. I have a sister I've thought has bipolar for years and from this i'd say bipolar 2. I'm not a professional of course but she refuses to see one. It's too bad because bipolar 2 IS difficult to live with. She makes continual bad choices, can't hold down a job, been married to or lived with dangerous felons, self medicated with prescription pain killers and other drugs, cannot manage her life financially responsibly. My parents noticed before her voice very low like she just got up in the middle of the afternoon not just a few times and she won't invite them in if they stop by because it was a mess. But then she might drive across two states to take one if her kids friend somewhere and look at puppies. She tells a distorted picture of her childhood to the point of outright lies, which hurt people. While I have a relationship it isn't intimate because she cannot be trusted with sensitive information at all. Lastly I tell the truth she grew up in a stable home and I know because we grew up together. Anyway sorry for this long post - wish she would see someone like you.
I just had to say it: I HATE the question “which is worse?”. Ill explain why: it depends on your experience. No matter what form you have, even with fysical problems like a broken bone! Some people experience it worse but have less or the otherway around, being way worse but not really feeling like that. Its a good video for sure but please dont ask it this way. Triggers me 😅
Hi Ruby van der Kuil sorry for the trigger.
@@DrTraceyMarks wow you are good!
between the years of 2016-2017 i noticed that i've had some of the b2d and it really sucks like i cant explain to the people around me what caused me gloomy and all of a sudden the next day im full of life and outgoing. its like a roller coaster like 2 months of depressive state where i became self-withdrawn and 3 months of hypermania where i became hypersexual cause by some tragic event occured in that timeline. plus, feelings of none self-worth, stress, anxiety and overthinking sprinkled on top. and by learning about this b2d i think i possibly have it. i just didnt have an official diagnosis from a psychiatrist. at the present, i keep myself occupied working out to lessen the overthinking side and have someone to remind me that i am loved. and i just kina self-medicate in a way. i still have anxieties from time to time but i think it would be great to talk to a psychiatrist to confirm this so i could clear my mind
Hi yeddybear! I think it's a good idea to talk to someone to get some more insight on your own situation. Sometimes people can get by for a while without needing heavy duty help like medication. but if it's really bipolar disorder, the hypomanic states over time can result in greater negative consequences. You want to catch it before that happens. If you start a relationship with a doctor, even if you don't need to go to them regularly now, if that changes at some point in the future you can quickly go back to someone who has already met you and know your story. Best wishes to you.🙂
yeddybear , I’m right there with ya!
That green tornado graphic is (to me) a good visual representation of the way manic energy feels in my body and thoughts.
I have never understood the difference better before. Thank you so much :)
I am currently in my final year of grad school earning my MSW with clinical specialty and your videos break DSM 5 diagnoses so I can completely understand....thank you so much!!!!
A nice concise video that makes it so that we don't have a contest in suffering.
I'm a female who's been treated for bipolar type 1 for over 20 years now. From my experience, manic episodes are not that frequent for me because I have maybe one every 5 years or so.
Sometimes people have asked me to explain what mania is like and I just kind of grimace and say, "Well I know I'm manic once the cops get involved and I'm in the hospital the next moment with no memory of how I got there."
Manic episodes can be incredibly embarrassing. 🙃
I have Bi polar 1 and been of my meds for 3 months. I had a hard time functioning while in depressive state...
Yep, I hear you. Depression is devastating. I hope you feel better soon.
Are you doing ok? i have bipolar 1 aswell and was thinking of quitting the meds too because now i follow schedule and much happier place..What made you want to quit?
Thank you so much for this video....im gonna use this to help my friends and family try to understand my illness which is bipolar II
Excellent! I hope they understand better.
Interesting, I'm as bi polar as you can get. Lifes been an adventure let me tell you, lol. I liked the way you handled things. You I understood. Hope you keep the videos coming. I subscribed, see what happens.
Hi John! So glad this was helpful. I do have more videos coming - not all bipolar, but I already have some ideas for a few bipolar videos based on questions I've gotten in the comments. So hang in there.
I am glad you are doing more subjects for us out there floundering around. I started this ride when I was 13-14. I'm 57, been trying to ride that bronco for a long time. I watched a couple of video on this subject but they were not very clear or helpful. You I could understand. Thank you. I have one question though that has bothered me since I first looked into this bi polar thing. Everyone talks about cycles in terms of weeks or months. I cycle faster than you can shake your head. I would ask if that was normal... but what is normal?, lol No such thing. Is it something I should be concerned about ? A little late in life to change anything but I am curious.
Thank you for helping us that suffer from this disease.
After years upon years of meeting doctors/psychologists/therapists it took one hour with a specialist to get diagnosed with Bipolar 2 at the age of 30. Thanks for all of your informative videos. Oh yeah, and hi.
I'm bipolar 1. I'm not a doctor or a psychiatrist. But from my experience I'll tell you this. I have gone over a year with no depression at all. Yeah you can have psychotic episodes that are severe with 1 like I have. But the depression with the bipolar 2 is probably worse. Depression is the worst thing that you can have. When you go full-blown psychotic you can at least move around and take care of yourself to some degree. So what if you see things and hear voices . Full-blown depression is the worst thing possible at least in my experience with it. Thank God I don't get it often. I know bipolar 2 people do not suffer from delusions or hallucinations. I'll have times where I could be diagnosed schizophrenic. The only difference is this goes away and is short-lived. Schizophrenics have trouble even saying a sentence. But the difference is that depression is more severe I believe with bipolar 2. Very very difficult situation to deal with. I have heard for years that bipolar 1 is worse. But I believe they are the same.
Yep, I hear that a lot. The darkness of depression is horrible.
I have depressive psychosis as someone with bipolar 2. Had one episode of the psychosis two years ago and that's what was the final push for hospitalization. People with bp2 deffo can get psychosis, it's more depressive than manic from what was explained to me
@@lynnr8290 Yeah you can get hallucinations with depression + bipolar II. Not very common. You sure you don't have bipolar one? When I have depression I hear things. I see things and also have weird smells. This is the same as what I'm full-blown psychotic. The only difference is I'm talking so much everything runs together. I just got out of the hospital myself. Not very many people know that bipolar two people get hallucinations with completely normal. Try a older fast acting antidepressant. Not an SSRI. I've been dealing with this illness for 20 years. Abilify is good and they have a new drug called Vrylar. The Abilify is the only drug that's work for me in 5 years. Downside is it's 1200 a month. The Vrylar is 1600. These are the two best drugs on the market
I have type 2, I wouldn’t wish it on my worse enemy. The times I’m in the hypomania stage I feel more productive and I’m happy but it only lasts a few hours or a couple of days. Depression with type 2 is indescribable. I think about Suicide everyday I wake up. But anyways, nice explanation of the types in this video.
@@natefigueroa I'm sure it's not type one, not yet at least. I've had a few hypomania episodes but never full blown, and I've had a couple of doctors (most from an IOP program, and then one private business) said that's what it is. My hypomania is usually agitation, aggravation and restlessness- just a bit more extreme than someone's typical "woke up on the wrong side of the bed" day.
I am technically diagnosed as bipolar 2 but I think I may be one of those rare type 1s that doesn't have psychotic features. My brain gets really loud and foggy and I can't concentrate on anything or function at work.
If you think you have bipolar I disorder instead of bipolar II disorder, please see a doctor or a therapist just to be certain that your diagnosis is correct.
Is being afraid of being drugged or poisoned a delusion? I’m so paranoid of it happening To me that it was at a point I would barely eat or take medication. I was in a carbon monoxide poisoning accident and lost my sister, so idk if it’s a ptsd symptom from that or something else. Some ppl have said it could be ocd. Some say ptsd, and one doctor said bipolar. I’m so confused. I also have really bad depersonalization, Where I feel like I’m in a dream all the time. I have high anxiety and depression.
Hi Rach113. There’s a lot going on here.😊 I can’t say for sure without having a much longer back-and-forth conversation about your history. However using broad strokes - it sounds to me like your fear is more of an overvalued idea that is a defensive reaction to your experience with your sister. You both were poisoned. That’s not the average human experience. But it is in your world. That had to be traumatic for you and I think the “paranoia” anxiety and depression are all a reaction to that experience. Even if you had depression before, that kind of intervening event can ramp up anything that you had before to the next level.
@@ButSheDid thank you this happened with my son before he got diagnossed ,thought people was poisioning him,not even awilling too eat what i cooked ,,lots more besides.