so, am I bi-polar or post-concussion
 

About 10 years ago, I was diagnosed as being bi-polar II, which of course means it is less severe, not as psychotic, but bi-polar none-the-less. In the last couple years - I believe I have gotten worse - almost cycling on a daily basis, concentration decreasing, seemingly suffering from adult ADHD. I finally decided to get checked again with a new psych doctor - and come to find out that there is a chance (not sure that I am believing yet...) that I am actually suffering from post-concussion syndrome.

A little history...I was abused as a child. Not as bad as some, but worse than a *normal* childhood. My mother progressed from spanking to slapping as I got older & she couldn't spank me anymore. I have had quite a few severe falls (the first being when I was just under 2, the most recent being less than 5 years ago) There have been quite a few car accidents, and there was an incident of my mother attempting to stop my from crying as an infant (long story short - she tried to stop me with a pillow over my face when I was a very small infant)

I realize that many of the symptoms are similar, if not identical, but truly - how do I know the difference. The doctor that I am currently seeing thinks that I do not have bi-polar, but post-concussion. I see all the symptoms that are listed on numerous web-sites, and I fit all of them - but I am nervous that I am just feeding into the theory. Should I find a specialist? A neuro-psych doctor?

This is all so confusing & daunting to figure out. If it is PCS, why does everyone in my family act the same way - do we ALL have PCS?? Do I need to worry about my child who is 12 and already had a couple falls when learing to walk & a temper tantrum during which she slammed her head onto the floor??

Will I get better - or will this progressively get worse??

So much to think about, so much to process.

thanks for listenting...
AnnMarie

AnneMarie,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Sorry to hear of your struggles.

I can see how PCS symptoms can mimic Bi-Polar. The over-stimulations and relapses can cause a similar roller coaster of cycling. The difference being the manic phase is not as pronounced with PCS if there is even a manic phase.

The docs likely focus on the depression phases that can be quite deep as the brain "ducks for cover" from fatigue and over-stimulation and all but shuts down with some possible miserable thought processes.

I am living through this cycling right now.

I hope your docs can help you figure this out.

My best to you.