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my doctor thinks I am in a manic episode...


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Manic episode of bipolar... ??!! I have never had this before, nor a depression.

He thinks my symptoms can't be caused by short term benzo's.

 

Sorry, edited by mistake.  Meant to quote, see below

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[5a...]

Manic episode of bipolar... ??!! I have never had this before, nor a depression.

He thinks my symptoms can't be caused by short term benzo's.

Hmmmm....one to think about! Did maybe the fact you aren't getting any sleep clue him in at all??  It's a cycle that can create depression. But this can indeed be caused by benzos.

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[d0...]

I assume it's a psychiatrist. This is what they do, diagnose psych illnesses and put you on more drugs. That's their business.

 

He is wrong. Any benzo use more than a couple weeks can cause withdrawal symptoms. That is all you have. Best is to stay off the benzos and stay off other psych drugs and time will heal.

 

You might want to read "Anatomy of an Epidemic" by Robert Whitaker.

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Manic episode of bipolar... ??!! I have never had this before, nor a depression.

He thinks my symptoms can't be caused by short term benzo's.

 

 

Hi,

 

Unfortunately, many benzo withdrawal symptoms do mimic certain "disorders," and if you've never had this issue before, it most likely is from withdrawal and therefore temporary.  Even worse, many doctors, like yours, don't believe withdrawal can do this.  But believe me, it can.  i had all sorts of dire new symptoms during my first year off which psychiatrists would have diagnosed as serious disorders.  They're all gone now. I'd be careful about any new psychiatric diagnosis during withdrawal.

 

:smitten:

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thanks all,

 

It wasn't a psychiatrist, but he advices me to go to one. I will do that, just to get more info... I just don't know what to think anymore.

 

The fact that I don't sleep, but sill able to work etc. made him think about it.

 

Also he says I talk very fast (this has been said to me by my brother also recently). I can keep going...

 

 

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My gp doc suggested the same thing. I've never been diagnosed bipolar. And honestly, let's just say I was. I can GUARANTEE you that any manic episode would not result in me pacing my house at all hours of the night like a demented woman. Going on a shopping spree, maybe. But feeling like I'm caught in the room with a tiger 24/7, NO WAY.

 

You're right - the docs have NO clue what benzo withdrawal truly looks like. They think it's someone reverting back to their "original condition" - well, my "original condition" was me having anxiety about giving big presentations in front of large groups of people. Not sitting in my house like a terrified caged animal.

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I used to have 'manic episodes' that would consist of me spending 12 hours watching porn, playing a game, throwing a rock, or trading forex, etc. Mania is when you are really focused and driven, think too highly of yourself, and are possibly delusional. It is the fun part of bipolar.
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I can just say within four weeks of starting a benzo I was not able to reduce the dose without feeling some of the same symptoms. Six weeks is enough time to have withdrawal. From what I've read, not only is mania (or something resembling mania) a withdrawal symptom, but the lack of sleep it causes exacerbates mania. So, it is a difficult cycle. I don't know how one can educate a doctor about benzodiazepine withdrawal. I agree with everyone else that it probably isn't a new disorder if you attribute your symptoms to benzo withdrawal and have never had these symptoms before.
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bipolar and schizophrenia are the two biggest "mental disorder diagnosis" in regards to benzo withdrawal.  Schizophrenia due to the break from reality some people get when discontinuing benzos, and bipolar because benzos dull your senses and feelings so much, that what would normally just be a "bad mood' or "good mood' gets blown out of proportion.  If you have never had issues with this before benzos, I personally would refuse bipolar meds.  (If your still having manic issues after all your other benzo symptoms have healed, or you are so manic that you are putting yourself in danger, than this should be treated immediately).  I was on benzos long term, but while tapering, I had so many ups and downs with my moods, someone who didn't know what was happening to me would have thought I was crazy.  It all stopped after my system restabilized.
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