I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I was being evaluated for possible eating disorder, then had a really bad crash and ended up hospitalized. Was diagnosed with bipolar disorder by a psychiatrist who saw me for a couple minutes and didn't take my history. That label just followed down the line. My therapist of 3 years recognized the ADHD and vehemently opposes the bipolar disorder diagnosis.
At the time of my crash / hospitalization, I was in college (as an adult) in a really tough semester, coming up on exams, and struggling with reading comprehension. I was using caffeine to help me study, wasn't eating, wasn't sleeping enough. Of course, major suicidal crash.
I didn't connect the dots until I had identical crash (minus hospital) from not eating while on stimulant medication. I was literally starving - maxing out at 700 calories per day for 4 months, lost 30#, severe food aversions, nausea, bradycardia, extreme fatigue, low blood pressure, falling almost every day - like skinning my knees on the carpet and even falling down the stairs. But anyway, the plummet into suicidality which would resolve about 15 minutes after eating got the attention of my "support group", and we started talking. I started noticing patterns.
My "depressive episodes" were periods of under nutrition.
My "mood swings" we're periods of binge/starve.
I had 3 years free of mood symptoms ... only 3 years of my life when I didn't have disordered eating.
My family has figured out to feed me. 😍 But I didn't notice exactly how often I needed to eat! My husband would tell me I'm irritable most of the time. My recent conversations prompted me to chart out food and mood patterns. Shocking! I'm pretty much fine (mild ADHD) for 1.75 - 2 hours after eating. If I go past 2 hours I'm irritable. If I get to 3 hours, I'm emotionally reactive, anxious, severe ADHD symptoms.
I don't really have much in the way of physical effects, so I suspect it's more Postprandial syndrome rather than reactive hypoglycemia. Also noting it could be hyperglycemia - not in the sense of high fasting blood sugar, but spiking way high after eating and then crashing below normal.
I have psych appointment tomorrow for "second opinion" to clear up the bipolar disorder misdiagnosis, then move on to my medical appointments. Hoping for an answer!
