Suffer from anxiety and depression, taking Valium. Is this PTSD or bipolar ?
Patient: PTSD vs bipolar. I feel like I have PTSD. After years of sexual abuse by my father. Doctors seem too clump everything as bipolar.I m not bipolar I take valium twice a day 10mg. I usually take them at night to sleep I suffer from anxiety and depression ,although I do disaster relief volunteering.I go to the gym,I quit smoking I take care of my grandson. Depression comes and goes Anxiety stays Doctor: Dear Rachelwesson, Hi! I totally understand your concern for your health and its obvious that you are suffering a lot. To comment, whether it is a bipolar disorder or not, we need to have a detailed history of you and the same is lacking in the information given by you. We agree that there was a significant stress in your childhood, but the same can predispose you to depression, PTSD as well as anxiety disorder. Although you are taking "Valium" its more of a cosmetic relief and you may land up with benzodiazepine dependence and hence it will be always wise to start you on some form of SSRi medications. The other best option will be to consider psychotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy.  basically you need to see a psychiatrist for a detailed history and evaluation , who would like to run a few psychological tests on you, before he starts you on either psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy or both. I hope this answers your concern.