There is an interview by “We’re all Insane” called Addicted to Self Harm, I think your reaction and input would be very interesting and informative! This is a topic that’s not often spoken about!
There is another SBSK video on Complex PTSD (Yasmin) which I would love a better understanding of from your perspective, especially the dissociation parts
As someone living with depression I totally agree that for me "fake it till you make it" works the best. Now, having worked on it for a long time and with the help of therapy, when I get a depressive episode I get annoyed and bored and angry at the depression so fast I activate my tools immediately and will (very grumpily) walk through the park and angrily look at nature because I know it will work for me. However, it takes a lot of energy, I need to catch it fast and as I said I had a lot of support and time to learn this. But if you can... give your body experiences to make some different chemicals than it's naturally giving you right now.
Thank you! That was funny and so true. I needed to hear that. Each day I want to begin to go outside, but because the "pull" to stay inside and "comfortably in bed" (=miserable) is stronger. Good of you that you muster up the courage and go for that walk and look at nature, because thát does work. 💖 ⚘️🍁🦉🦚🪻🌾
I love the thought of someone angrily going out to walk and experience nature 😂 though of course sorry that you’ve got to force yourself to do so… I’m glad you figured out something that seems to work well if caught quickly!
If you love getting angry with the depression episodes try weightlifting. In the last depressive episode I got angry, dragged myself to the workout, cried all the way through weightlifting session which was the weirdest sensation ever, then walked out. I felt that I had won one round which was a big deal for me. Exercise maybe doesn’t fix the problem but it definitely helps, a lot! 😊
“Fake it until you make it”comes with a negative connotation if you ask me. Nothing beats being real. There is a better way to put it. I’m not attempting to get you down just be aware that faking something comes with an element of deceit.
Dr Syl, I’ve watched a number of your videos now. I hope you see this comment because I wanted to say that your patients - past, present and future - are so blessed to have a doctor with so much kindness, compassion and empathy. As someone with Bipolar 2 and CPTSD, I’ve seen a number of psychiatrists over the years. To see one with such a beautiful and comforting presence over one with a terrible bedside manner, can mean the difference between life and death for some people. Please remember this on the rough days. I can tell that you’ll go on to have a career that makes a significant difference to the course of peoples’ lives.
My last ex was undiagnosed bipolar for most of our relationship. I always knew bc her manic episodes were so obvious, and she'd said bipolar runs in her family. The mania was *rough*. Most of the time, it was her talking really fast and getting impatient if I wasn't talking fast enough so she could speak. Super affectionate but very irritable. Her worst was when she called me in the middle of the night to cuss me out over a conversation we'd had a month ago, telling me I was "evil" and what I said was "disgusting"; that she didn't care if my dog died. Nasty stuff. I let her go after I'd eventually gotten burnt out from being judged for the millionth time. She had a lot of episodes bc of the stress from her work and bad events. Mania absolutely isn't all sunshine and rainbows
"I don't know what 'normal' is" really chimes with me. What is normal to me, is a state of moderate depression (perhaps more like weltschmerz), punctuated by encouraging, but short-lived, relatively positive/productive periods which make me think, "Ah! so this is actually 'normal'!" Trouble is, when I find myself returning (again!) to my depressive state, I'm faced with yet another half completed project that glowers accusingly at me. The brief periods I designate as the real 'normal', just serve to feed my depression.
I really appreciate you creating a video about bipolar. I have bipolar 2 and my mom had it as well. She recently 'took herself out the equation'. She tried several times prior to this. I was also parentified growing up. Even if I was mentally not feeling well, I was constantly checking in on her, sometimes several times a day. I spent years of attempting to improve her state of mind. She believed she didn't need medication so her bipolar only got worse over time. I was constantly afraid she was in a dark headspace or completely manic. I'm taking Lamactal not only for bipolar but seizures as well. I also have a great psychiatrist and therapist who work with me regularly. I'm consistently stable because of their help. It's still a really rough time these past several months. I miss my mom *so much* and thankfully because of the work I've been doing, I'm not going off the rails. Thanks for the upload.
Hi, bipolar 2 here. Hypomania for me is elevated mood and self-esteem, more energy, sleeping 2-3 hours per night, being louder and gesticulating more, more irritable, feeling like I can take on more tasks, racing thoughts, difficulty concentrating for more than 10 minutes, agitation. When I manage to get a full night of sleep, symptoms diminish by about 50%, but can persist for several weeks to several months. I seldom experience euthymia and when I do, it lasts for a few hours or days. I spend most of my time on the slightly depressed and anxious side and have had several major depressions. I’m also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder with panic attacks. Essentially, I can still function and work when hypomanic, whereas I think that it must be impossible when manic. I’ve been on antidepressants for half my life and while they help, I still have ups and downs, but I supposed they’re less intense. One caveat, when hypomanic, one should be careful about making important decisions or expenses. I actually do not enjoy hypomania because I feel jittery and agitated like I’ve had too many cups of coffee.
I'm BPD with bipolar 2 as differential diagnosis. One of the worst things is that when I'm starting to feel good I am always questioning whether it is hypomania or whether I am just getting better!
Yea bro. When I start feeling good, I am like "is life actually better or am I going manic?" It's hard to tell when the disorder moods end and actual myself begins. Is it me acting or is my disorder acting?
As REN (music artist) says “I’m scared of being OK ‘cos all things change”! I was diagnosed with bipolar 2 over 20 years ago. Mostly I’m ok ‘cos I manage my world, the things I do, who I see, VERY carefully, but any sort of trauma can send me into a spiral. So I love with the fear of being ok, as often as the fear of NOT being ok. It’s definitely hard. But I’m here, and I think that’s a win.
Thank you for being so compassionate in your videos about mental illness. I have bipolar, and it can feel so isolating due to negative symptoms and stigma. It's good to know there are medical professionals whose hearts are really set on helping and understanding people.
I have bipolar II and I’ve gotten to recognize my periods of being “stable” (ish, lol) and actual mania. Mania is literally scary to me because it’s so so good and buzzy to me but completely overwhelming. I am on the spectrum as well and the overstimulation is WAY too much. And I actually get panicky because I know the drop is coming.
Totally get this, I call the top of my hypomania/mania “the teeth” because you know you are so high but it’s going to hurt when you fall from so high. This time is the most destabilizing for me. Fear and euphoria at the same time. This time it drove me to meds and they have been transformative!
Hi Dr. Syl! For some reason your energy is very calming, relaxing, and genuinely judgement free only caring and curious which I don't ever feel from anybody. 😊❤
I'm also type 2, and rapid cycling to boot (very, very rapid cycling). I tried for years to get a diagnosis so I could get treatment, but my pattern was monthly and only 1 day of hypomania and then 3 of depression, so I didn't qualify under the DSM criteria even though it was extremely disruptive, especially to my work life. I'd read bipolar advice and information and it never seemed to describe what I was going through - I didn't have triggers, I didn't spend all my money, take illegal drugs or have risky relationships - I just had a monthly cycle that I tried to work around. After withdrawal from an SNRI, I started to experience much more rapid cycling, and at approximately 4 days of dysphoric hypomania, 7 days of very deep, suicidal depression, and 7 days of 'normal' (mostly trying desperately to catch up on life and bring my brain back to some sort of centre) for six hellish months, I was finally 'bipolar enough' to get treatment. And you know how lithium doesn't really work for rapid cycling? It did. Instantly. The relief was immense. Since we started the course of lithium, I've missed only a single dose - and that was lying on the counter waiting for me when I got back home (so I'd obviously intended to take it but forgotten). Of course now I'm stable, all that bipolar does for me is make any new doctor instantly suspicious of me. For drug-seeking behaviour, for noncompliance with medication, for outright lying. It doesn't matter that I was never fully manic, or that most of my hypomania manifested itself in slightly ambitious baking and making websites. The bipolar diagnosis which essentially saved my life is now a millstone around my neck that prevents me from being taken seriously by nearly every healthcare professional I meet. My disabling chronic illness will probably remain a mystery (as it has for the last 10 years), because doctors see the word 'bipolar' and instantly categorise any difficult problems I have as psychiatric rather than physiological. Maybe it's that all they know is Bipolar I? Some more general awareness about Bipolar II would be very welcome.
I think the difference between “fake it till you make it” and what she’s describing is that one of them feels more like masking. from my experience this can lead to a lot of problems when it comes to interpersonal relationships and life in general.
I had been diagnosed with major depressive disorder and ptsd for years. I was on antidepressants, and they helped quite a bit. Then I happened to tell a psychiatrist how I would sometimes just get SO ANGRY. I would scream at the walls, shout, cry - for about 10 minutes. Then I was just me again. She put me on mood stabilizers, and that was the magic bullet for me. I felt relief and hope, that this was the right direction. The meds stabilized and lifted my mood to where I'm closer to who I should have been. Although lately we added Prozac because a bunch of bad stuff happened that made my brain get stuck.😅
I have bipolar 2, and I really appreciate you bringing attention to it as an illness. I have to be on crappy meds for the rest of my life, and it’s incredibly frustrating. I had been diagnosed with treatment resistant depression for a looooong time and severe anxiety for a long time. I also have bad anxiety, so I just thought it was that for a long time. I have also had a lot of mixed episodes, which landed me in the hospital.
My wife is Bipolar, its been an "interesting....intense" journey so far in our marriage. Looking forward to any insights or advice that this video may provide.
@DrSyl I hope you see this. I also have Bipolar 2. I wanted to touch on what you said about how the difference between hypomania and mania being that you wouldn't be hospitalized for hypomania. I think I also heard you mention this in a previous video as well. Well, I was at an inpatient psych hospital for a week 3 months ago while in a hypomanic episode. I got admitted because I went to an ER for SI (s*icidal ideation) with a plan, was section 12'ed there (involuntary stay), and then was brought to the psych hospital. I also was hospitalized for med management. Recently I found out it could've been more of a mixed mood episode. I wouldn't say that I was really having much depressive thoughts beyond the SI though. The only reason I was having the SI was because I have those kinds of thoughts pretty regularly, but I only have the impulsivity from the hypomania to want to do something about it then. I am doing better now though. I just wanted to put that out there and wanted to get your thoughts. I am in the US, so the criteria and protocols could be slightly different here.
Thank you for sharing! Yes I agree you can be hospitalised with hypomania. Especially if there are other issues that justify the need for the admission outside of simply the hypomanic symptoms (such as SI/psychosocial issues/medication management). Thank you for your feedback.
You touched on this a little bit, but it would be great to have a video on your thoughts regarding the "cry it out" baby settling techniques vs the attachment or gentle parenting method - and how these might affect a child's development. Linked with that would be if there's any research on the link between "cry it out" methods (eg Tizzie Hall) and personality disorders
Its important to rememeber in relationships where one sibling is an adult and the other isn't that unlike similar age siblings there is a responsibility associated with being an adult looking after a child instead of peers hanging out, older siblings tend to forget this and younger siblings tend to have a need to be seen as mature
Dr syl, I don’t agree with your first comment surrounding her grooming and appearance. I have BP2 and I am METICULOUS when I’m hypomania about my appearance. Perhaps you were generalising but I always put more effort into myself when manic, I was intrigued to hear you make that statement. In no way am I angry/mad or anything, just interested.
Same here. I didn't feel like he really captured the feeling and experience of hypomania at all, and once it seemed he doesn't really believe in hypomania. Maybe that's why.
He was talking about mania and not hypomania. Hypomania is defined by it not impacting someone’s ability/functionality (aka it does not bring a lot of impairment). So you wouldn’t expect to see someone present like that with hypomania.
I'm BP2. Before diagnosis I had a lot of hypomanic episodes, but after being on Lithium for 6 years they're pretty much gone. I get like 20 depressions for every hypomania. Depression has been extremely hard to treat. I can't do anything but lie in bed. I can barely move or speak. I'm just not there. I miss the person I was when hypomanic.
As someone with bipolar 2, I experience hypomania every couple of months for a week or two. I never really get depressive episodes but I do sleep more sometimes. I have had one major depressive episode after my 39 year old wife passed from cancer, which helped me get a diagnosis. I always thought the hypomania was just me having more energy sometimes. Just as a side note, for me I get up everyday and take a shower and get dressed in clothes I would wear out, event if I am not going out that day. So, being “made-up” and apprising put together is not a sign of me being in or approaching a hypomania episode. thanks for the videos! They have helped me greatly by seeing what others experience.❤. You are already better spoken and have a better bedside manner than doctors I have experienced, even thought you are, as you say, a junior doctor.
He was specifically talking about mania and not hypomania. One of the criteria for hypomania is elevated mood like mania, but you are still functional. So you wouldn’t expect someone with hypomania to present in such a way.
Hypomania is great, except it doesn’t have a soft landing. I had so many insights when hypo and it can feel really good. Agitated depression (‘mixed episode’) is a real kick in the guts. Sent me once to a depressive type of psychosis. Haven’t been hypo in a while, more like resonating with Townes van Zandt “sittin’ around waitin’ to die”.
I'm BP2 and my hypomania is more like a 4 - 5 beer buzz. Not totally drunk but open for anything...10 feet tall and bulletproof, money is no object. I do have a 3 Red Bull stage though and those happen daily and can be triggered simply by walking out of my office. Those are always followed by a crash where I feel utter humiliation and sadness. It's the "up" in my ultra rapid cycle. Full hypomania can last anywhere from a few days to a year or so. 2018 - 2020 was almost completley hypomania for me. I loved it. I'll also pay for it for the rest of my life.
The way I experience depression is very close to how she describes it. My tough experience with a mentally ill family member: father is schizophrenic, but he is also a violent person. I struggle myself to take interest in people and with my father who seems to be completely disconnected from reality constantly, I just can't. I don't know what to reply, I can't care for whatever his delusions are about and I was afraid of offending him. But last time, I did offend him because I was just sick of listening to him. He replied by telling me to "watch out during my sleep that my house doesn't catch on fire" and some references to some war crimes and that I wasn't his child anyway actually. He told the cops those weren't threats but rather "premonitions". So that's how he got back on treatment, he probably resents me now, so I really want to stay very far away from him. I wouldn't be surprised that if the doctors successfully treated him, he'd stop taking the medications once he got out.
And Therapy is good for teaching you lifestyle skills and encouraging you to use those skills on a daily basis. To help keep you level, or less symptomatic.
Is the song “Everybody’s Got to Live” by the band Love? Not sure but I love that song! It was featured in this movie recently, Jojo Rabbit which is about a German boy obsessed with Nazism because that was the norm, until he understood the unnaturalness of hatred. Amazing movie. Loved the interview and the perspective on hypomania and BPII diagnosis.
I have bipolar 2 . Over forty years of a crash course roller coaster life . Recently got diagnosed now on Lithium . I just enjoy thé freedom of handicap allowance . A lot of people are dead from cancer. stroke diabètes car accident etc at my age . Im in good health other wise . Never touched drugs. Alcohol. So such is life suck it up and make thé most of now .
I would argue that we do sort of have equivalents of hypomania for depression and psychosis: for depression it would be dysthymia (assuming cases that don't also have an MDE) and for psychosis there's the 9th criterion of borderline personality disorder according to the DSM-5, which largely reflects what psychoanalysts often call micropsychoses
My maternal aunt was bipolar. Not sure what type but I'm pretty sure I'm type 2. I'd describe a hypomanic episode as an elevated level of energy rather than mood. I can still be incredibly down in my mood despite having high energy. Motor mouth syndrome is my big tell. Thoughts popping into my head quicker than I can process/communicate them. I won't go into detail as to what episode brought me to my conclusion here.
I have BP2 as well. I can vouch that depression physically hurts and for me it come with a deep need to cry but I never do. I am a rapid cycler in that I can bounce like Tigger the Tiger and then crash into futility in an instant, every day! I do go by the long phases also. Baseline with switch back and forth between Up and Down for months or years.
I would love for you to talk more about physical manifestations of emotional pain, mind body connection. I have GAD which manifests very physically (I was also diagnosed with anxiety induced chronic pain which is improving with therapy and other somatic interventions but still hangs around). The physical manifestation also makes me more prone to avoidance behaviours so doing exposure therapy around that. I really relate to that internal buzzing feeling too...I could go on for hours about it all.
I have bipolar 2 and am currently in hospital after lithium toxicity. I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on this. I've had to come if it and it's been rough but I did it in the end
My wife was experiencing Lithium toxicity (she was on 1200mg/day). Her "detoxing" off of it and switching to alternative treatments and medications was a real challenge for her....the suic**al ideations....mental ward stuff, a couple of psych holds, etc... it was a scary time for us. Now we are in a "better" place and she's more stable now than she was when she was on Lithium.
I was diagnosed BP2 14yrs ago aged 40.I had symptoms since 16. I take my meds exactly as prescribed, but it is still hard to control. On a side note, can you watch this video back and count how many times you touch your nose or cover your mouth. I don't know if it annoys other people but it does me. Also anyone with hearing problems needs to be able to see your whole face clearly when you're speaking.
As a senior bipolar honestly I miss the manic episodes, they were fun. Of course the downside, the nightfall, was anything but. So now I am in the middle with low grade depression but no extremes. It's okay.
If I could make a suggestion. Could you turn the volume of your videos up a bit. I have suspected Meniere's and some days I just cannot hear as well as others and it's hard to get your videos as loud as I need it some times. Thank you. :)
I was "misdiagnosed" with bipolar in 2005 and seriously medicated for 10 but in 97 I was diagged in the UK with severe PTSD and that's spot on but I've ALWAYS been rah rah crazy happy insane all over the place but after the misdiagnosis saga the NEXT doctor said Steph ? Your not bipolar, you didn't interrupt me there and then he said I see you as A HIGH ENERGY PERSON and I think you'll always need psyche services so I googled HIGH ENERGY PERSON and thought a book had been written about me but at the end of the day I seriously believe there are grey areas of my diagnosis that interlap interweave with each other and severe PTSD in itself has a plethora of mini diags of many ailments psychiatric wise so I think it's a very dangerous area to judge someone within the realms of 3 minutes or 5 minutes and I'm not talking about this video I'm talking about global medication global diagnosis. You've got to see the big picture in my opinion Just because someone appears calm and coordinated and coherent and symmetrical doesn't mean to say something isn't going on. I had a spell of ups and downs a couple of months ago that had me question my quote misdiagnosis of bipolar and I felt very bipolar during those two months this year but I kind of fluctuate but of course I had cancer kidney one kidney down so I'm on a plethora of painkillers and others for my PTSD benzos but once in a blue moon I really feel like I need those mega drugs I had when I was quote misdiagnosed I really feel so brain crazy that I need the lithium that I was put on or all the awful drugs that in my opinion nearly killed me over 10 years but I don't know I am who I am but I think there's too many medics throwing around diagnosis like raffle tickets and once again I'm not talking about this video but seeing this has prompted me to say this when you said she's not manic but someone who is bipolar is not always manic I mean that's a fact but hey I guess at my age it's a bit late but I hope I never have the undignified experience of seeing a very volatile and hostile mental health team that I did in 2005 who were very very one-tracked mind in overdosing me and drugging me up so I couldn't even stand up so that I put 50 kg in weight on and then my colon ruptured and then they found kidney cancer now I've lost the weight but I was on an awful dose of Meds I was taking DAILY 2,000 mg lithium, 2,400 mg epilim 450 mg Seroquel 300 mg methotrimeprazine, 10 mg zopiclone, 16 mg diazepam and a few other bits and pieces that I can't remember and that is a fact and I knew I was dying just before the cancer and I took matters into my own hands and broke away from the system and systematically stopped the medications over a period of three months and it wasn't easy but it was too late to stop the colon rupture and the kidney cancer and the colon bladder fissure All in one major operation and I believe all those serious concoction of medications were the cause but the medics all banded together to fight me with ACC and stated that 10 years later I miraculously just got better but they failed to mention that I had stopped all the medications myself. I do know that when I get really high it gets out of control high and then I don't want to take a medication but I think my experience with hostile psychiatric medics has made me scared and very aware and I try to be the judge of my own medications with the assistance of a new GP because I've been on opioid painkillers now for nearly 10 years for kidney cancer surgery complications with a huge scar down my front from top to bottom where I had my kidney and everything else removed that has gone hypertrophic and keloid and I've got a plethora of abdominal adhesions where I was opened up with three wound infections six days post-op and had a vac pump on my abdomen for three months with daily nurse in attendance. Renegade medics have ruined my life but I admit that I've been all over the place from a psychiatric point of view but each medication they gave me on top of the other one created a unique state of mind that wasn't me it was the side effects of drugs that my body were fighting and in the end I was very unwell and I knew I didn't have long to live because my GP recorded my BP at that time at 260 plus that was her statement and she refused to give me the real reading she just said 260 plus and at that stage I changed GPs and stopped everything because it was my severe PTSD that was kicking in at that point. I think there's an element of a craze in some areas of media where it's cool to be this or cool to be that as crazy as it sounds but don't judge a person in the space of 5 minutes I say anyway. With harped on like a book so I must be manic lol no chance not tonight. Have a blessed week
i'm borderline ..and fake it til you make it pisses me off because i don't know who i am to begin with so i feel like i'm always faking ...but i was/am NOT making it
There is an interview by “We’re all Insane” called Addicted to Self Harm, I think your reaction and input would be very interesting and informative! This is a topic that’s not often spoken about!
The fake it till you make it has never worked for me. It just feels like another mask to me, like pretending to know what people's are feeling by looking at them. I don't have a clue, and trying to figure it out just ends up making me feel tired and destressed. It's like when people asked me how do you feel? I would just lie in the past and say something when I really did not know I had to think about how I was really feeling. I found it better just to tell people that truth. Faking a smile does not make you happy it is illogical behaviour.
Love this video so much!! It's always so interesting to watch videos that talk about disorders that you yourself have. It's nice to know that there are other people out there who understand what it's like. Your analysis is also very insightful too. Thanks! :)
hey @drsyl i’d love to see you make a video talking about histrionic personality disorder. i feel like it’s one of the less discussed personality disorders, would be so interested to watch this. thanks and keep the fantastic content coming please!
The more I become aware of the various personality disorders, the more I become convinced that they are pretty much all spectrum disorders with people suffering to greater or lesser degrees for, at this time, unknown reasons though possibly related to the level of neural maldevelopment. Some psychopaths are serial murderers and some psychopaths are not -- with one in particular teaching psychology at a US university. One sufferer of NPD is the most obnoxious buffoon in the world (you know who that is, I'm sure) while others are perhaps only 30% as ruinous in their relationships.
16:44 big big fan of faking it till you make it. I have not wanted to go do a family activity, but masked my feelings and pretended I did. Had thoughts I thought a person looking forward to it would make. Turned out. Yea,no, I didn't like it, as I suspected, I wanted to be elsewhere, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. And I spent time with the family instead of in bed. Which, layers of doing things together is what makes family. I felt like a had accomplished a handhold to climb out of my pit that day. It's sorta like going to the gym. You don't like doing it, you make yourself, then you miss when you don't go, but it's never because it was fun but because it was hard and you did it anyway
Aye, Bipolar 2 crew 😅 such a PITA disorder. Especially if it is comorbid with something like ADHD x.x I can either treat the Bipolar or treat the adhd. But no luck treating both with medication in tandem. I do CBT and DBT, but it still isn't as effective as medication treatment with the therapy x.x _the struggle is real_
Billy Joel😆💛💛💛 I am really happy the next generation of Doctors understand how emotions manifest physically. I guess it also depends on specialty. I mean I have worked in admin in pathology and neurosurgery and I guess those two areas are some that might still depend on viewing the body as a sum of its parts! Maybe not, they are people too and see the current trends in health. Or maybe, it's just a career stage for Doctors. I worked for the AMA Qld and the president at the time said that holistic practitioners take their customers! Joking of course. At the time, still pretty closed off to anything Eastern due to lack of scientific research in comparison to our medicines, and possible unknown contraindications between the two.
I want to know about the vestibular and balance problems that they are discovering are associated with bipolar. Vertigo, disequilibrium and motor problems were prominent for me for years leading up to going from mild to more full blown mania.
Aren't there laws or ethical standards that forbid someone giving psychiatric analysis if they are not a licensed psychiatrist? Also about giving a diagnosis after only watching someone on a video? I'm surprised you're allowed to do this. I really enjoy your videos & have learned a lot, so thank you.
@DrSyl is Cyclothymia a mood disorder? My GP mentioned this to me a number of years ago when I spoke to them about my moods etc and suspected it was something I had along with my mum. I’ve noticed in the last two years this has got worse. How would you advise someone to speak to those GP about something like this?
I would like to ask your advice @DrSyl. I was diagnosed bipolar 2 years ago but i honestly dont think i have it. I do get depressed occasionally but my main issue is not being able to stay still. I always have a super loud inner voice. I constantly have to be moving 0r doing something physical like exercise to be happy. Ive never been able to just relax.
I think your experience with bipolar 1 is biting you in the ass here. I have just got diagnosed with bipolar 2 15 years after of my first hypomanic episode. The diagnosis took so long because hypomania is not as obvious as you think. I was very chill, I meditated a lot, did lots of sports and was very productive. I was a great listener and there were no racing thoughts. I told lots of doctors about the experience and only now did I end up with a psychiatrist who recognized that state as a symptom at all. Reading up on bipolar now I think it's absolutely obvious. It seems like lots of doctors and therapists are badly educated about bipolar 2 and sadly videos like this will contribute to it.
The guy with schizophrenia called schizoin through life has made a second video where he has an episode and it seems more intense and would be a great video to react to.
I watch a lot of your videos. Theyre all extremely educational but i will admit i only clicked on this one cause of ge thumbnail 😊 but i did watch the whole thing
I need to know how to approach my sister about this. I believe she has Bipolar 2 but it hurts me to not know how to get her help. She believes everyone else is the problem.
I am convinced that one should build a railway system across the US because I hate flying. I have 5 tattoos. I also think that one can solve IQ test with theoretical mathematics . Nobody believes me!!
Would you be open to responding to the video linked below? I find the psychotherapists suggestions a bit concerning-namely the claims that bipolar is a manifestation of trauma rather than a highly heritable chemical imbalance…There’s also some articles online about the problematic nature of this documentary. Would love to hear your thoughts! th-cam.com/video/1jCxP5O0MUU/w-d-xo.htmlfeature=shared
Dr Syl, I was wondering if there is any info on how meds for bipolar, can affect the body. especially around weight. Do bipolar meds cause weight gain, or is it the behaviours that are caused by bipolar, that cause someone to have a poor diet and thus gain weight. My daughter struggles with her weight and she has bipolar disorder.
Hi Thé drugs do cause wieght gain . Try thé keto diet . It helped me a lot . Just Lost 8 kilos . M'y ankles and feet swelled with Lithium . I reduced it from 800g to 400g and thé swelling stopped . I did it without doctor knowing . I thought I could all ways go back up to 800g if I bécame unstable . Im very self aware and disciplined so it worked . Not everyone is able to judge themselves so bé careful . Better to bé a fatty and getting better but once your ok thé wieght becomes an equal health issue .
Link to footage: th-cam.com/video/GT7L2UhEGHM/w-d-xo.html
What should I review next?
There is an interview by “We’re all Insane” called Addicted to Self Harm,
I think your reaction and input would be very interesting and informative! This is a topic that’s not often spoken about!
There is another SBSK video on Complex PTSD (Yasmin) which I would love a better understanding of from your perspective, especially the dissociation parts
Misdiagnosis
As someone living with depression I totally agree that for me "fake it till you make it" works the best. Now, having worked on it for a long time and with the help of therapy, when I get a depressive episode I get annoyed and bored and angry at the depression so fast I activate my tools immediately and will (very grumpily) walk through the park and angrily look at nature because I know it will work for me. However, it takes a lot of energy, I need to catch it fast and as I said I had a lot of support and time to learn this. But if you can... give your body experiences to make some different chemicals than it's naturally giving you right now.
Thank you! That was funny and so true.
I needed to hear that. Each day I want to begin to go outside, but because the "pull" to stay inside and "comfortably in bed" (=miserable) is stronger.
Good of you that you muster up the courage and go for that walk and look at nature, because thát does work. 💖
⚘️🍁🦉🦚🪻🌾
I love the thought of someone angrily going out to walk and experience nature 😂 though of course sorry that you’ve got to force yourself to do so… I’m glad you figured out something that seems to work well if caught quickly!
I’ve been there on the angry walks. Man, people really don’t get that concept 😂
If you love getting angry with the depression episodes try weightlifting. In the last depressive episode I got angry, dragged myself to the workout, cried all the way through weightlifting session which was the weirdest sensation ever, then walked out. I felt that I had won one round which was a big deal for me. Exercise maybe doesn’t fix the problem but it definitely helps, a lot! 😊
“Fake it until you make it”comes with a negative connotation if you ask me. Nothing beats being real. There is a better way to put it. I’m not attempting to get you down just be aware that faking something comes with an element of deceit.
Dr Syl, I’ve watched a number of your videos now. I hope you see this comment because I wanted to say that your patients - past, present and future - are so blessed to have a doctor with so much kindness, compassion and empathy. As someone with Bipolar 2 and CPTSD, I’ve seen a number of psychiatrists over the years. To see one with such a beautiful and comforting presence over one with a terrible bedside manner, can mean the difference between life and death for some people. Please remember this on the rough days. I can tell that you’ll go on to have a career that makes a significant difference to the course of peoples’ lives.
My last ex was undiagnosed bipolar for most of our relationship. I always knew bc her manic episodes were so obvious, and she'd said bipolar runs in her family. The mania was *rough*. Most of the time, it was her talking really fast and getting impatient if I wasn't talking fast enough so she could speak. Super affectionate but very irritable. Her worst was when she called me in the middle of the night to cuss me out over a conversation we'd had a month ago, telling me I was "evil" and what I said was "disgusting"; that she didn't care if my dog died. Nasty stuff. I let her go after I'd eventually gotten burnt out from being judged for the millionth time. She had a lot of episodes bc of the stress from her work and bad events. Mania absolutely isn't all sunshine and rainbows
"I don't know what 'normal' is" really chimes with me. What is normal to me, is a state of moderate depression (perhaps more like weltschmerz), punctuated by encouraging, but short-lived, relatively positive/productive periods which make me think, "Ah! so this is actually 'normal'!"
Trouble is, when I find myself returning (again!) to my depressive state, I'm faced with yet another half completed project that glowers accusingly at me. The brief periods I designate as the real 'normal', just serve to feed my depression.
I really appreciate you creating a video about bipolar. I have bipolar 2 and my mom had it as well. She recently 'took herself out the equation'. She tried several times prior to this. I was also parentified growing up. Even if I was mentally not feeling well, I was constantly checking in on her, sometimes several times a day. I spent years of attempting to improve her state of mind. She believed she didn't need medication so her bipolar only got worse over time. I was constantly afraid she was in a dark headspace or completely manic.
I'm taking Lamactal not only for bipolar but seizures as well. I also have a great psychiatrist and therapist who work with me regularly. I'm consistently stable because of their help. It's still a really rough time these past several months. I miss my mom *so much* and thankfully because of the work I've been doing, I'm not going off the rails. Thanks for the upload.
Keep fighting the good fight!
@@Sidraughen thanks ❤️
Hugs ❤
What’s the difference between bi polar 1 and 2.
Hi, bipolar 2 here. Hypomania for me is elevated mood and self-esteem, more energy, sleeping 2-3 hours per night, being louder and gesticulating more, more irritable, feeling like I can take on more tasks, racing thoughts, difficulty concentrating for more than 10 minutes, agitation. When I manage to get a full night of sleep, symptoms diminish by about 50%, but can persist for several weeks to several months. I seldom experience euthymia and when I do, it lasts for a few hours or days. I spend most of my time on the slightly depressed and anxious side and have had several major depressions. I’m also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder with panic attacks. Essentially, I can still function and work when hypomanic, whereas I think that it must be impossible when manic. I’ve been on antidepressants for half my life and while they help, I still have ups and downs, but I supposed they’re less intense. One caveat, when hypomanic, one should be careful about making important decisions or expenses. I actually do not enjoy hypomania because I feel jittery and agitated like I’ve had too many cups of coffee.
I'm BPD with bipolar 2 as differential diagnosis. One of the worst things is that when I'm starting to feel good I am always questioning whether it is hypomania or whether I am just getting better!
Yea bro. When I start feeling good, I am like "is life actually better or am I going manic?" It's hard to tell when the disorder moods end and actual myself begins. Is it me acting or is my disorder acting?
As REN (music artist) says “I’m scared of being OK ‘cos all things change”! I was diagnosed with bipolar 2 over 20 years ago. Mostly I’m ok ‘cos I manage my world, the things I do, who I see, VERY carefully, but any sort of trauma can send me into a spiral. So I love with the fear of being ok, as often as the fear of NOT being ok. It’s definitely hard. But I’m here, and I think that’s a win.
Thank you for being so compassionate in your videos about mental illness. I have bipolar, and it can feel so isolating due to negative symptoms and stigma. It's good to know there are medical professionals whose hearts are really set on helping and understanding people.
I have bipolar II and I’ve gotten to recognize my periods of being “stable” (ish, lol) and actual mania. Mania is literally scary to me because it’s so so good and buzzy to me but completely overwhelming. I am on the spectrum as well and the overstimulation is WAY too much. And I actually get panicky because I know the drop is coming.
Totally get this, I call the top of my hypomania/mania “the teeth” because you know you are so high but it’s going to hurt when you fall from so high. This time is the most destabilizing for me. Fear and euphoria at the same time. This time it drove me to meds and they have been transformative!
Hi Dr. Syl! For some reason your energy is very calming, relaxing, and genuinely judgement free only caring and curious which I don't ever feel from anybody. 😊❤
I'm also type 2, and rapid cycling to boot (very, very rapid cycling). I tried for years to get a diagnosis so I could get treatment, but my pattern was monthly and only 1 day of hypomania and then 3 of depression, so I didn't qualify under the DSM criteria even though it was extremely disruptive, especially to my work life. I'd read bipolar advice and information and it never seemed to describe what I was going through - I didn't have triggers, I didn't spend all my money, take illegal drugs or have risky relationships - I just had a monthly cycle that I tried to work around.
After withdrawal from an SNRI, I started to experience much more rapid cycling, and at approximately 4 days of dysphoric hypomania, 7 days of very deep, suicidal depression, and 7 days of 'normal' (mostly trying desperately to catch up on life and bring my brain back to some sort of centre) for six hellish months, I was finally 'bipolar enough' to get treatment. And you know how lithium doesn't really work for rapid cycling? It did. Instantly. The relief was immense. Since we started the course of lithium, I've missed only a single dose - and that was lying on the counter waiting for me when I got back home (so I'd obviously intended to take it but forgotten).
Of course now I'm stable, all that bipolar does for me is make any new doctor instantly suspicious of me. For drug-seeking behaviour, for noncompliance with medication, for outright lying. It doesn't matter that I was never fully manic, or that most of my hypomania manifested itself in slightly ambitious baking and making websites. The bipolar diagnosis which essentially saved my life is now a millstone around my neck that prevents me from being taken seriously by nearly every healthcare professional I meet. My disabling chronic illness will probably remain a mystery (as it has for the last 10 years), because doctors see the word 'bipolar' and instantly categorise any difficult problems I have as psychiatric rather than physiological. Maybe it's that all they know is Bipolar I? Some more general awareness about Bipolar II would be very welcome.
I can relate
I think the difference between “fake it till you make it” and what she’s describing is that one of them feels more like masking. from my experience this can lead to a lot of problems when it comes to interpersonal relationships and life in general.
I had been diagnosed with major depressive disorder and ptsd for years. I was on antidepressants, and they helped quite a bit. Then I happened to tell a psychiatrist how I would sometimes just get SO ANGRY. I would scream at the walls, shout, cry - for about 10 minutes. Then I was just me again. She put me on mood stabilizers, and that was the magic bullet for me. I felt relief and hope, that this was the right direction. The meds stabilized and lifted my mood to where I'm closer to who I should have been.
Although lately we added Prozac because a bunch of bad stuff happened that made my brain get stuck.😅
I have bipolar 2, and I really appreciate you bringing attention to it as an illness. I have to be on crappy meds for the rest of my life, and it’s incredibly frustrating. I had been diagnosed with treatment resistant depression for a looooong time and severe anxiety for a long time.
I also have bad anxiety, so I just thought it was that for a long time. I have also had a lot of mixed episodes, which landed me in the hospital.
My wife is Bipolar, its been an "interesting....intense" journey so far in our marriage. Looking forward to any insights or advice that this video may provide.
You’re a good husband mate 👍
@@dontstopbelieving6771could be a woman too..
@DrSyl I hope you see this. I also have Bipolar 2. I wanted to touch on what you said about how the difference between hypomania and mania being that you wouldn't be hospitalized for hypomania. I think I also heard you mention this in a previous video as well. Well, I was at an inpatient psych hospital for a week 3 months ago while in a hypomanic episode. I got admitted because I went to an ER for SI (s*icidal ideation) with a plan, was section 12'ed there (involuntary stay), and then was brought to the psych hospital. I also was hospitalized for med management. Recently I found out it could've been more of a mixed mood episode. I wouldn't say that I was really having much depressive thoughts beyond the SI though. The only reason I was having the SI was because I have those kinds of thoughts pretty regularly, but I only have the impulsivity from the hypomania to want to do something about it then. I am doing better now though. I just wanted to put that out there and wanted to get your thoughts. I am in the US, so the criteria and protocols could be slightly different here.
Thank you for sharing! Yes I agree you can be hospitalised with hypomania. Especially if there are other issues that justify the need for the admission outside of simply the hypomanic symptoms (such as SI/psychosocial issues/medication management). Thank you for your feedback.
Such a sympathic, intelligent doctor, thank you for the great videos
You touched on this a little bit, but it would be great to have a video on your thoughts regarding the "cry it out" baby settling techniques vs the attachment or gentle parenting method - and how these might affect a child's development. Linked with that would be if there's any research on the link between "cry it out" methods (eg Tizzie Hall) and personality disorders
Its important to rememeber in relationships where one sibling is an adult and the other isn't that unlike similar age siblings there is a responsibility associated with being an adult looking after a child instead of peers hanging out, older siblings tend to forget this and younger siblings tend to have a need to be seen as mature
Dr syl, I don’t agree with your first comment surrounding her grooming and appearance. I have BP2 and I am METICULOUS when I’m hypomania about my appearance. Perhaps you were generalising but I always put more effort into myself when manic, I was intrigued to hear you make that statement. In no way am I angry/mad or anything, just interested.
Same here. I didn't feel like he really captured the feeling and experience of hypomania at all, and once it seemed he doesn't really believe in hypomania. Maybe that's why.
True. Whenever I'm maniac or hypomanic I do a fullface makeup every single day even if I stay home.
Same. I always like to make sure my hair and makeup are on point before I go out.
He was talking about mania and not hypomania. Hypomania is defined by it not impacting someone’s ability/functionality (aka it does not bring a lot of impairment). So you wouldn’t expect to see someone present like that with hypomania.
I'm BP2. Before diagnosis I had a lot of hypomanic episodes, but after being on Lithium for 6 years they're pretty much gone. I get like 20 depressions for every hypomania. Depression has been extremely hard to treat. I can't do anything but lie in bed. I can barely move or speak. I'm just not there. I miss the person I was when hypomanic.
Could have written this myself. I’m bipolar 2 as well
As someone with bipolar 2, I experience hypomania every couple of months for a week or two. I never really get depressive episodes but I do sleep more sometimes. I have had one major depressive episode after my 39 year old wife passed from cancer, which helped me get a diagnosis. I always thought the hypomania was just me having more energy sometimes. Just as a side note, for me I get up everyday and take a shower and get dressed in clothes I would wear out, event if I am not going out that day. So, being “made-up” and apprising put together is not a sign of me being in or approaching a hypomania episode. thanks for the videos! They have helped me greatly by seeing what others experience.❤. You are already better spoken and have a better bedside manner than doctors I have experienced, even thought you are, as you say, a junior doctor.
He was specifically talking about mania and not hypomania. One of the criteria for hypomania is elevated mood like mania, but you are still functional. So you wouldn’t expect someone with hypomania to present in such a way.
Hypomania is great, except it doesn’t have a soft landing. I had so many insights when hypo and it can feel really good. Agitated depression (‘mixed episode’) is a real kick in the guts. Sent me once to a depressive type of psychosis. Haven’t been hypo in a while, more like resonating with Townes van Zandt “sittin’ around waitin’ to die”.
I'm BP2 and my hypomania is more like a 4 - 5 beer buzz. Not totally drunk but open for anything...10 feet tall and bulletproof, money is no object.
I do have a 3 Red Bull stage though and those happen daily and can be triggered simply by walking out of my office. Those are always followed by a crash where I feel utter humiliation and sadness. It's the "up" in my ultra rapid cycle. Full hypomania can last anywhere from a few days to a year or so. 2018 - 2020 was almost completley hypomania for me. I loved it. I'll also pay for it for the rest of my life.
Finding the right person to talk to is hard but hopefully when you can trust I think it helps
The way I experience depression is very close to how she describes it.
My tough experience with a mentally ill family member: father is schizophrenic, but he is also a violent person. I struggle myself to take interest in people and with my father who seems to be completely disconnected from reality constantly, I just can't. I don't know what to reply, I can't care for whatever his delusions are about and I was afraid of offending him. But last time, I did offend him because I was just sick of listening to him. He replied by telling me to "watch out during my sleep that my house doesn't catch on fire" and some references to some war crimes and that I wasn't his child anyway actually. He told the cops those weren't threats but rather "premonitions". So that's how he got back on treatment, he probably resents me now, so I really want to stay very far away from him. I wouldn't be surprised that if the doctors successfully treated him, he'd stop taking the medications once he got out.
And Therapy is good for teaching you lifestyle skills and encouraging you to use those skills on a daily basis. To help keep you level, or less symptomatic.
Is the song “Everybody’s Got to Live” by the band Love? Not sure but I love that song! It was featured in this movie recently, Jojo Rabbit which is about a German boy obsessed with Nazism because that was the norm, until he understood the unnaturalness of hatred. Amazing movie. Loved the interview and the perspective on hypomania and BPII diagnosis.
I have bipolar 2 . Over forty years of a crash course roller coaster life . Recently got diagnosed now on Lithium .
I just enjoy thé freedom of handicap allowance . A lot of people are dead from cancer. stroke diabètes car accident etc at my age . Im in good health other wise . Never touched drugs. Alcohol. So such is life suck it up and make thé most of now .
What do you mean you enjoy the freedom of disability allowance??
I would argue that we do sort of have equivalents of hypomania for depression and psychosis: for depression it would be dysthymia (assuming cases that don't also have an MDE) and for psychosis there's the 9th criterion of borderline personality disorder according to the DSM-5, which largely reflects what psychoanalysts often call micropsychoses
My maternal aunt was bipolar. Not sure what type but I'm pretty sure I'm type 2. I'd describe a hypomanic episode as an elevated level of energy rather than mood. I can still be incredibly down in my mood despite having high energy. Motor mouth syndrome is my big tell. Thoughts popping into my head quicker than I can process/communicate them. I won't go into detail as to what episode brought me to my conclusion here.
I have BP2 as well. I can vouch that depression physically hurts and for me it come with a deep need to cry but I never do. I am a rapid cycler in that I can bounce like Tigger the Tiger and then crash into futility in an instant, every day! I do go by the long phases also. Baseline with switch back and forth between Up and Down for months or years.
Don’t cling onto the appearance when someone is manic! I look glamorous when manic!!!!
I would love for you to talk more about physical manifestations of emotional pain, mind body connection. I have GAD which manifests very physically (I was also diagnosed with anxiety induced chronic pain which is improving with therapy and other somatic interventions but still hangs around). The physical manifestation also makes me more prone to avoidance behaviours so doing exposure therapy around that. I really relate to that internal buzzing feeling too...I could go on for hours about it all.
I have bipolar 2 and am currently in hospital after lithium toxicity. I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on this. I've had to come if it and it's been rough but I did it in the end
My wife was experiencing Lithium toxicity (she was on 1200mg/day). Her "detoxing" off of it and switching to alternative treatments and medications was a real challenge for her....the suic**al ideations....mental ward stuff, a couple of psych holds, etc... it was a scary time for us. Now we are in a "better" place and she's more stable now than she was when she was on Lithium.
I was diagnosed BP2 14yrs ago aged 40.I had symptoms since 16. I take my meds exactly as prescribed, but it is still hard to control. On a side note, can you watch this video back and count how many times you touch your nose or cover your mouth. I don't know if it annoys other people but it does me. Also anyone with hearing problems needs to be able to see your whole face clearly when you're speaking.
thanks for covering this topic, i have bipolar 1 and it comes and goes in my ability to cope and identify with the condition
As a senior bipolar honestly I miss the manic episodes, they were fun. Of course the downside, the nightfall, was anything but. So now I am in the middle with low grade depression but no extremes. It's okay.
If I could make a suggestion. Could you turn the volume of your videos up a bit. I have suspected Meniere's and some days I just cannot hear as well as others and it's hard to get your videos as loud as I need it some times. Thank you. :)
I was "misdiagnosed" with bipolar in 2005 and seriously medicated for 10 but in 97 I was diagged in the UK with severe PTSD and that's spot on but I've ALWAYS been rah rah crazy happy insane all over the place but after the misdiagnosis saga the NEXT doctor said Steph ? Your not bipolar, you didn't interrupt me there and then he said I see you as A HIGH ENERGY PERSON and I think you'll always need psyche services so I googled HIGH ENERGY PERSON and thought a book had been written about me but at the end of the day I seriously believe there are grey areas of my diagnosis that interlap interweave with each other and severe PTSD in itself has a plethora of mini diags of many ailments psychiatric wise so I think it's a very dangerous area to judge someone within the realms of 3 minutes or 5 minutes and I'm not talking about this video I'm talking about global medication global diagnosis. You've got to see the big picture in my opinion Just because someone appears calm and coordinated and coherent and symmetrical doesn't mean to say something isn't going on. I had a spell of ups and downs a couple of months ago that had me question my quote misdiagnosis of bipolar and I felt very bipolar during those two months this year but I kind of fluctuate but of course I had cancer kidney one kidney down so I'm on a plethora of painkillers and others for my PTSD benzos but once in a blue moon I really feel like I need those mega drugs I had when I was quote misdiagnosed I really feel so brain crazy that I need the lithium that I was put on or all the awful drugs that in my opinion nearly killed me over 10 years but I don't know I am who I am but I think there's too many medics throwing around diagnosis like raffle tickets and once again I'm not talking about this video but seeing this has prompted me to say this when you said she's not manic but someone who is bipolar is not always manic I mean that's a fact but hey I guess at my age it's a bit late but I hope I never have the undignified experience of seeing a very volatile and hostile mental health team that I did in 2005 who were very very one-tracked mind in overdosing me and drugging me up so I couldn't even stand up so that I put 50 kg in weight on and then my colon ruptured and then they found kidney cancer now I've lost the weight but I was on an awful dose of Meds I was taking DAILY 2,000 mg lithium, 2,400 mg epilim 450 mg Seroquel 300 mg methotrimeprazine, 10 mg zopiclone, 16 mg diazepam and a few other bits and pieces that I can't remember and that is a fact and I knew I was dying just before the cancer and I took matters into my own hands and broke away from the system and systematically stopped the medications over a period of three months and it wasn't easy but it was too late to stop the colon rupture and the kidney cancer and the colon bladder fissure All in one major operation and I believe all those serious concoction of medications were the cause but the medics all banded together to fight me with ACC and stated that 10 years later I miraculously just got better but they failed to mention that I had stopped all the medications myself. I do know that when I get really high it gets out of control high and then I don't want to take a medication but I think my experience with hostile psychiatric medics has made me scared and very aware and I try to be the judge of my own medications with the assistance of a new GP because I've been on opioid painkillers now for nearly 10 years for kidney cancer surgery complications with a huge scar down my front from top to bottom where I had my kidney and everything else removed that has gone hypertrophic and keloid and I've got a plethora of abdominal adhesions where I was opened up with three wound infections six days post-op and had a vac pump on my abdomen for three months with daily nurse in attendance. Renegade medics have ruined my life but I admit that I've been all over the place from a psychiatric point of view but each medication they gave me on top of the other one created a unique state of mind that wasn't me it was the side effects of drugs that my body were fighting and in the end I was very unwell and I knew I didn't have long to live because my GP recorded my BP at that time at 260 plus that was her statement and she refused to give me the real reading she just said 260 plus and at that stage I changed GPs and stopped everything because it was my severe PTSD that was kicking in at that point. I think there's an element of a craze in some areas of media where it's cool to be this or cool to be that as crazy as it sounds but don't judge a person in the space of 5 minutes I say anyway. With harped on like a book so I must be manic lol no chance not tonight. Have a blessed week
i'm borderline ..and fake it til you make it pisses me off because i don't know who i am to begin with so i feel like i'm always faking ...but i was/am NOT making it
SBSC is a pretty good channel. I've been subscribed to Dr Syl for a few months, but SBSK only for a couple weeks.
You put on such great content Thank-you 🙏 very educational and hope we all can find proper help and help families as well
There is an interview by “We’re all Insane” called Addicted to Self Harm,
I think your reaction and input would be very interesting and informative! This is a topic that’s not often spoken about!
The fake it till you make it has never worked for me. It just feels like another mask to me, like pretending to know what people's are feeling by looking at them. I don't have a clue, and trying to figure it out just ends up making me feel tired and destressed. It's like when people asked me how do you feel? I would just lie in the past and say something when I really did not know I had to think about how I was really feeling. I found it better just to tell people that truth. Faking a smile does not make you happy it is illogical behaviour.
Love this video so much!! It's always so interesting to watch videos that talk about disorders that you yourself have. It's nice to know that there are other people out there who understand what it's like. Your analysis is also very insightful too. Thanks! :)
hey @drsyl
i’d love to see you make a video talking about histrionic personality disorder. i feel like it’s one of the less discussed personality disorders, would be so interested to watch this. thanks and keep the fantastic content coming please!
The more I become aware of the various personality disorders, the more I become convinced that they are pretty much all spectrum disorders with people suffering to greater or lesser degrees for, at this time, unknown reasons though possibly related to the level of neural maldevelopment. Some psychopaths are serial murderers and some psychopaths are not -- with one in particular teaching psychology at a US university. One sufferer of NPD is the most obnoxious buffoon in the world (you know who that is, I'm sure) while others are perhaps only 30% as ruinous in their relationships.
16:44 big big fan of faking it till you make it. I have not wanted to go do a family activity, but masked my feelings and pretended I did. Had thoughts I thought a person looking forward to it would make. Turned out.
Yea,no, I didn't like it, as I suspected, I wanted to be elsewhere, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. And I spent time with the family instead of in bed. Which, layers of doing things together is what makes family. I felt like a had accomplished a handhold to climb out of my pit that day. It's sorta like going to the gym. You don't like doing it, you make yourself, then you miss when you don't go, but it's never because it was fun but because it was hard and you did it anyway
Aye, Bipolar 2 crew 😅 such a PITA disorder. Especially if it is comorbid with something like ADHD x.x I can either treat the Bipolar or treat the adhd. But no luck treating both with medication in tandem. I do CBT and DBT, but it still isn't as effective as medication treatment with the therapy x.x
_the struggle is real_
Billy Joel😆💛💛💛 I am really happy the next generation of Doctors understand how emotions manifest physically. I guess it also depends on specialty. I mean I have worked in admin in pathology and neurosurgery and I guess those two areas are some that might still depend on viewing the body as a sum of its parts! Maybe not, they are people too and see the current trends in health. Or maybe, it's just a career stage for Doctors. I worked for the AMA Qld and the president at the time said that holistic practitioners take their customers! Joking of course. At the time, still pretty closed off to anything Eastern due to lack of scientific research in comparison to our medicines, and possible unknown contraindications between the two.
Please do mixed states in bipolar 2 🙏 I get them once a year. Lithium has helped a lot
I want to know about the vestibular and balance problems that they are discovering are associated with bipolar. Vertigo, disequilibrium and motor problems were prominent for me for years leading up to going from mild to more full blown mania.
Aren't there laws or ethical standards that forbid someone giving psychiatric analysis if they are not a licensed psychiatrist? Also about giving a diagnosis after only watching someone on a video? I'm surprised you're allowed to do this. I really enjoy your videos & have learned a lot, so thank you.
@DrSyl is Cyclothymia a mood disorder? My GP mentioned this to me a number of years ago when I spoke to them about my moods etc and suspected it was something I had along with my mum. I’ve noticed in the last two years this has got worse. How would you advise someone to speak to those GP about something like this?
I would like to ask your advice @DrSyl. I was diagnosed bipolar 2 years ago but i honestly dont think i have it. I do get depressed occasionally but my main issue is not being able to stay still. I always have a super loud inner voice. I constantly have to be moving 0r doing something physical like exercise to be happy. Ive never been able to just relax.
what song were you quoting? I cant find it online, seems vaguely familiar maybe a john lennon thing? sorry I'm 6 months late watching this
Are there any Australian cases documented like this that you could highlight?
The up and down balance must vary. I feel like mine (whenever it happens) one to two weeks up and one week down. More up than down.
I think your experience with bipolar 1 is biting you in the ass here.
I have just got diagnosed with bipolar 2 15 years after of my first hypomanic episode. The diagnosis took so long because hypomania is not as obvious as you think. I was very chill, I meditated a lot, did lots of sports and was very productive. I was a great listener and there were no racing thoughts.
I told lots of doctors about the experience and only now did I end up with a psychiatrist who recognized that state as a symptom at all. Reading up on bipolar now I think it's absolutely obvious.
It seems like lots of doctors and therapists are badly educated about bipolar 2 and sadly videos like this will contribute to it.
The guy with schizophrenia called schizoin through life has made a second video where he has an episode and it seems more intense and would be a great video to react to.
I watch a lot of your videos. Theyre all extremely educational but i will admit i only clicked on this one cause of ge thumbnail 😊 but i did watch the whole thing
I need to know how to approach my sister about this. I believe she has Bipolar 2 but it hurts me to not know how to get her help. She believes everyone else is the problem.
I remember her! It's Snow White!
4:20 Yes, but we have different degrees of depression, don't we? Just other terms...
I am convinced that one should build a railway system across the US because I hate flying. I have 5 tattoos. I also think that one can solve IQ test with theoretical mathematics . Nobody believes me!!
What medication is she on?
Holladay is the name of a Salt Lake City suburb. Everything she and her sister may say absolutely screams SLC area.
Would you be open to responding to the video linked below? I find the psychotherapists suggestions a bit concerning-namely the claims that bipolar is a manifestation of trauma rather than a highly heritable chemical imbalance…There’s also some articles online about the problematic nature of this documentary. Would love to hear your thoughts!
th-cam.com/video/1jCxP5O0MUU/w-d-xo.htmlfeature=shared
He also mixes up mania and hypomania several times, or seems to use them interchangeably.
Red hair make up especially red lipstick.
DR Syl can you please help me
First
What was so funny ?
She just keeps laughing, kind of annoying
She's mildly manic
It might be nervous laugh or she is just a happy person.
Dr Syl, I was wondering if there is any info on how meds for bipolar, can affect the body. especially around weight. Do bipolar meds cause weight gain, or is it the behaviours that are caused by bipolar, that cause someone to have a poor diet and thus gain weight. My daughter struggles with her weight and she has bipolar disorder.
Hi Thé drugs do cause wieght gain . Try thé keto diet . It helped me a lot . Just Lost 8 kilos . M'y ankles and feet swelled with Lithium . I reduced it from 800g to 400g and thé swelling stopped . I did it without doctor knowing . I thought I could all ways go back up to 800g if I bécame unstable . Im very self aware and disciplined so it worked . Not everyone is able to judge themselves so bé careful .
Better to bé a fatty and getting better but once your ok thé wieght becomes an equal health issue .