Re: Bi-Polar II and not ADHD?

[texascann]

Sanda,

You won’t believe this but I came online to see if I could read anything about the difference between ADHD and Bipolar because my md didn’t think I had ADHD. I know he became angry when I went to an ADHD doctor in a city aobut 1-1/2 hours away. We live in a small town and coming from a large city (Houston), I found that doctors here don’t even treat adult ADHD. I went 3-1/2 years before out of desperation I found an ADHD doctor. Since I had medication in Houston that controlled my ADHD, and had no medication here except the Effexor XR, I decided on my own to get off the Effexor XR. Bad plan! I almost had to check myself into the emergency room twice for feelings of suicide and anxiety. DON’T STOP THE EFFEXOR COLD TURKEY! You will end up with bigger problems. My MD explained to me that getting off Effexor or any other drug of its type is dangerous! I got back on the Effexor and the anxiety attacks and feelings of suicide went away. I missed my meds accidently for a day, and I was crying and upset again that fast. First, I will tell you not to give up and instead of feeling like you are the problem, see the problem for what it is. It is medical. To quote my ADHD doctor. It’s like wearing glasses. I might need glasses to see better but the glasses are not who I am. ADHD or Bipolar either one are not who you are; they are what you are dealing with. I’m sure you’ve heard the usual pep talk that we all give because it’s true, it does get better. Breathe deep; get help from a very reputable source, ask for testing. If you don’t feel comfortable with a doctor, see another. It’s your life and only you can take control of it. Suicide is not an option, though many people take that way out. From reading your story, I’d say that your a pretty intelligent person with a lot to give. Don’t let this get you down for long. Start working on getting what you need immediately. It may take a short time but I’m on that same journey again and though I get frustrated, I trust God and I know that He is working in my life and working this out for and me. Just remember though, God feeds even the smallest birds but He doesn’t pop the worm on top of the ground every time. Sometimes the bird must dig for his food. Consider this time a time of exploration for you to get to the bottom of this. Sandra, I know not everyone believes in God but I do and I know Christ as my personal saviour. I am not trying to preach to you, I’m just telling you what I feel. Bad things happen and it’s not what happens to us in life, it’s what we do or how we react to it that matters. I sincerely hope to talk with you again on ADHD vs. Bipolar from one woman to another. In the mean time, take care of yourself and know that God and a lot of other ADDer’s care for you too. You can email me at my texascann name at aol if you’d like and I will be glad to answer you. Charlotte

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