POIS or Bi-Polar?

[Samir]

In the last few years I have been under more stress in my life than all my years previously.  I have aged about 10 years in appearance in the last 5.

And all the while POIS has been with me.  I have tried to make sure I do the things that help--plenty of omega 3s and abstaining, but women are hawt, so what can you do?  Plus, with no regular stress relief or form of recreation, well, you know.

In the last year or so I have again entered therapy, mainly for depression, no doubt in part brought on by POIS and also in part by my current stress.

Just last month, the therapist is fairly certain that I am bi-polar and recommended me to see another therapist for figuring out what medications need to be prescribed.  But when I asked this therapist's opinion on the bi-polar diagnosis, his answer was that there were some symptoms, but not all to be considered bi-polar.  He did think the medications would still be helpful and have prescribed them.

I personally do not think bi-polar is correct, but rather the cycles of POIS combined with the extreme stress.  And the second therapist's opinion helped me to have more confidence in that.

Because of some life changes, I have not started the medications as they are habit forming for the body and withdrawal symptoms will happen if I have to stop once I start.  So until things stabilize again, I will not start the medications.

But this whole experience made me think of a couple of things.  Are there people out there with POIS that are being misdiagnosed with bi-polar?  Are there other POIS suffers that can clarify what is bi-polar or not from personal experience?  How will the medication affect POIS?

Currently I take no medications.  I only try take a multi-vitamin daily as well as eat cereal containing a high amount of omega 3s for breakfast.  This routine combined with abstinence keeps POIS away.  But women are hawt...

Thank you for any and all thoughts and responses.  Keep fighting the good fight my brothers...

[certainlypois2]

I live with someone who is bipolar, The swing is way more extreme than pois. They can stay depressed for weeks and be in hyper mode for weeks.   He said the depression can get so bad he is not interested in women. Like you said women are "hawt", pois has never produced any depression/sadness that will make me not interested in women.

[Samir]

Thank you for the reply!  This is my gut feeling as bi-polar reminds me of the manic-depression cycles I saw when I used to attend a manic-depression support group.  I've never experienced anything close to the mania I saw those poor souls undergo.

There are times my interest in women (and everything else) wanes when in POIS fog.  But inevitably when I am better again, temptation brings me back to the depths of POIS again.  And then the cycle of my moods oscillates, which I believe is being mistaken for bi-polar.  Thoughts?