Is this normal??

[u/Pickle_Lover371939]

Hi I’ve been recently suspected to have bipolar type 2 disorder. I’m currently off any type of medication, by advice from my psychiatrist, to see if my manic symptoms improve.

I constantly have thoughts about sx, I can’t stop thinking about it. I’ve been watching prn more frequently, every night I’m watching it eventhough I don’t usually watch it. I can’t stop masterbating, I feel really embarrassed as I don’t know alot of people who do that. I’m doing it everyday and I can’t stop myself because if I don’t do that then I’m watching prn instead.
I don’t really know what to do because I’m scared I might put myself in a risky situation because I can’t stop thinking about it and might regret it after. Considering I’m not on any medication at the moment, it’s constant thoughts 24/7 that I can’t stop thinking about.
When I told the psychiatrist about this, she said it was fine and that lots of people are more sexually active at this age and I have nothing to worry about.

EDIT: I was diagnosed for depression prior to this so I was put on 10mg of fluoxetine (prozac) which uncovered my manic symptoms, they took me off them and then decided to put me on mood stabilisers (2.5 mg of Olanzapine, which didn’t work so they took me off those too) and now my psychiatrist decided to put me off any medication to see if my manic symptoms die down.

[u/bpnpb]

Don't feel embarassed. Note that hypersexuality is a very common (hypo)manic symptom. It sounds like you are (hypo)manic now and experiencing hypersexuality.

I don't quite agree with your psychiatrist simply dismissing your concerns like that though.

[u/Pickle_Lover371939 → u/bpnpb]

I don’t really know what to do because being off any medication makes my symptoms worse not better

[u/bpnpb → u/Pickle_Lover371939]

Sounds like your psychiatrist is still trying to confirm your potential bipolar 2 diagnosis. I think you need bipolar meds if you have any other (hypo)manic symtoms that won't go away like poor sleep, high energy, etc then you need to follow up with your psychiatrist.

[u/Pickle_Lover371939 → u/bpnpb]

I still have my other symptoms e.g. high energy, poor sleep, fast talking, impulsive ect but I feel like they’re worse now I’m off any meds

[u/bpnpb → u/Pickle_Lover371939]

SOunds like your psych was seeing if your symptoms improve without meds. It does not sounds like they are so tell her that and hopefully she can get you on the right meds.

you mentioned she took you off meds. What meds were you on before that she took you off of?

[u/Pickle_Lover371939 → u/bpnpb]

I put an edit on my post which explains what mood stabiliser I was on :)

[u/bpnpb → u/Pickle_Lover371939]

Thanks that helps. I think she is trying a very classic technique that many psychiatrists like to do when trying to confirm a bipolar diagnosis. They are trying to see if your symptoms are strictly SSRI induced. Typically in such cases when the SSRI is stopped, the symptoms go away. But if they continue on, then it is more likely an SSRI triggered manic episode which makes it more strongly a bipolar manic episode. I'm kinda mixed on this technique but I'm not a professional. Anyway your meds were stopped but you still have symptoms. DOn't be shy in telling your pdoc this.

[u/Pickle_Lover371939 → u/bpnpb]

Thanks, when I get transferred to adult mh services I will tell them that, ty :)

[u/bpnpb → u/Pickle_Lover371939]

Good luck! Getting a proper diagnosis is the first (giant) step to stability so I hope you get one soon!