Know your own baseline

It's funny how psychiatrists often caution patients not to get hung up on "labels" like Bipolar and BPD and yet in my experience, having been misdiagnosed and became chemically suicidal on the cocktail of drugs I was on, I would say the danger lies in the psychiatrists are the ones that get stuck on labels. Over a two year period I was misdiagnosed as bipolar !, then II and put on mood-stabilizers and anti-psychotics - all of which had detrimental side affects both physically and mentally. all the while I kept screaming that I was depressed and anxious.. It turns out I have a hyperthymic personality which is really worth googling if you don't know what it is but it is basically a person who's BASELINE is energetic, creative and a whole list of other very positive attributes but this PERSONALITY type is prone to deeper depressions that the norm. So in effect, they treated my PERSONALITY - hence the Bipolar label - instead of the SYMPTOMS of depression. The anxiety has a PTSD component but was exacerbated by the fact that they would not listen and the anti-psychotics in particular were to blame, as was the tendency to INCREASE a dose rather than DECREASE it. It's also interesting to note that having tried pretty much every SSRI out there, each time I tried one it catapulted me in to a state of hypomania. However, within 24 hours of discontinuing, the hypomania disappeared. I also noticed compulsive behaviours on these. Again, my PERSONALITY as a baseline includes quite a bit of OCD in that I clean my place alot and tend to go hell-for-leather at projects until I am satisfied they are finished, but again, SSRI's simply increased these tendencies and included some pretty self-destructive behaviours which all resolved completely upon discontinuing the drug. Anyone else with experiences like these? I have recently been "re-traumatized" by a series of events (PTSD) which have reared some traits of Cluster B BPD but with the incredible help and support of my team (NOT the hospital that almost killed me!) I have discovered that mindfulness and meditation is an incredible tool to bring me back to BASELINE. Anyone else with experiences like this? Also curious to know if others now recognise what their TRUE baseline and personality is and if they use this as a way of monitoring their illness.

Interesting and sorry I didn't google your diagnosis but I think I understand. The thing with me is I 'want my baseline to be just a tad mildly elevated. Baseline for me is boring. I want to be more energetic and efficient. This is very unusual for me so I think I have to call that mildly elevated. Oh how I do wish that was my baseline "normal" though!

Hi, I'm brand new to the site but I can relate to what you are saying. I know what my baseline personality is now and use to monitor as well. I am on the opposite end of the spectrum, though. I was also mis-diagnosed as bipolar II because effexor was causing me to rapid cycle, drink heavily and have suicidal thoughts (which never happened previous to meds). When i told my doctor at the time, they increased my dose of effexor. I became so manic that I was finally put on seroquel to even out effexor. After a few suicide attempts, not having any success with these medications and being ignored by every doctor, I tapered myself off everything in 2009 and felt a TON better. I went into remission. All my "bipolar" symptoms went away. what has started to creep up recently is all the old stuff....mild/moderate depression, anxiety and panic attacks. A lot of my symptoms manifest as physical ailments. I've just recently began seeing a psychiatrist again who has diagnosed me now with cyclothymia. She wants to put me on abilify. I'm VERY hesitant to go back on any meds but the panic attacks and anxiety are killing me! I'm trying everything I can naturally to reduce my symptoms including diet change and exercise. It's been a tough road this time, but I feel more educated now and a little more in tune with my symptoms and triggers. I also use meditation/yoga and mindfulness. I'm open to and searching for other methods besides medication and therapy that are CHEAP and DIY. I don't have insurance so suggestions are welcome! I joined the forum to search on these topics. Thanks for sharing your experience.