My doctor is under the impression that I might have a cyclic mood disorder, most likely a minor form of Bipolar (cyclothymia, maybe?). But I'm currently not taking medication for it. I tried Lamictal and just didn't like it. Panic attacks, major irritation, flipping out, etc. And it didn't touch the depression.
Anyway, in cyclothymia the mood spectrum is a little bit small than in Bipolar, and the episodes are shorter. Hypomania is the term for minor experiences of mania. I have terrible anxiety a lot of the time, and have had a few panic attacks lately. My question is for those of you with first-hand experience in the field. Is it often difficult to tell the difference between major anxiety/panic and mania/hypomania? Are they sometimes the same thing? I have the discomfort of the possibility of experiencing mania in my mind, and the anxiety is definitely there, so perhaps the anxiety attacks are mimicking what I think might be mania this way?
I know, I know.. a little confusing. And I know a lot of you might suggest that I talk to my doctor, and I have to some extent. But I don't trust shrinks entirely. I really think this kind of stuff is overdiagnosed and I'm under the suspicion my doc may be a little script-happy. I don't want to have a diagnosis and medication unless it's absolutely accurate. So if anybody can point me in the right direction, I'd appreciate it.
