Bipolar 2 Symptoms That Went Unnoticed

When I was younger, I had bipolar 2 symptoms that went unnoticed. Why? Because I was a kid and people just attributed those symptoms of bipolar disorder to other things. For instance, in kindergarten I received a diagnosis of a learning disability that counselors referred to as "Wandering Syndrome." I was an excellent student, kind to others but my overactive imagination and emotional way of thinking caused me to drift when teachers were speaking to me. It prevented me from thriving academically.

In this video, I share the symptoms of bipolar 2 disorder that have been present since childhood. These symptoms include extreme empathy, sensitivity and an imaginative way of thinking that subtly distanced me from reality.

--
Hannah posts a new video every Monday morning on the HealthyPlace YouTube channel. You can help spread awareness and understanding by sharing this video or playlist. And if you find the video helpful, I hope you'll give it a thumbs up.

BIPOLAR DISORDER SYMPTOMS INFO

[jeremeymcmillan]

Another symptom is we are all fine as hell.

[xiiackcooroo]

As someone with type 2, the empathy part is very true. You really can feel the emotion on almost a physical level. For me, I get severe cases of apathy. It’s as if I couldn’t care less about how others feel. Some days I make it my personal goal to make everyone I know smile or laugh. It takes some heavy switches. Sometimes on the same day. I’m actually glad this popped up on my feed because hardly anyone really gets bipolar disorder right.

[Melissa-mnvz]

Anyone get weird physical symptoms? When I am hypomanic, my body feels like there is a current of electricity going through me. Then I start speaking fast. Sometimes I feel like I am not even in my body.

[bailey]

I would get really into ideas that I had, such as going to school for psychiatry in switzerland, living in japan and teaching english, and starting my own shoe company. After about two weeks, these ideas that I had become obsessed with just faded away. This constant cycle of getting obsessed with an idea and then brushing it off was a huge sign of bipolar ii that went unnoticed for years in my case.

[snorlaxgender]

I have this uncanny ability to meet someone and know their life story and deepest fears in an hour, but I can't even talk to my closest friends about my emotions because they're so intense and scary. I think the biggest thing they never tell you how to handle is the sense of shame or guilt you get when your swings start to effect the people you love. When your thoughts are so horrid and terrifying that you think you'll be committed if you voice them, even though they're on a looping fast track in the back of your brain every day. The crushing misery when you figure out that some people cannot or aren't willing to "deal with" or "handle" your illness. And since bipolar 2 has so many more depressive elements, this can be debilitating.

[rustymcgee]

yep, i was always extremely emotional as a child. usually pretty withdrawn and in my own world when my outgoing self had been rejected. as i aged the emotional episodes didnt go away. they literally intensified. im such an empath. even songs and nature can bring me to tears of joy. i like, have so much feeling. i usually say im just passionate.

[beckyschmidt]

My empathy causes physical discomfort! The irony is, however, that I fight it with apathy. It's as if I feel SO much that I choose not to feel any more! It's a conscious choice!

[jmurray]

I feel empathy like no other. I always thought it was a gift!

[yupitskam]

I think a lot of us that have empathy at such extreme level often get told that we're too emotional. It's alienating to feel everything so hard and people just think you're overreacting. I didn't know this was a symptom other people had and I feel so validated.

[fashionforwardable]

I always had so much empathy, it's almost debilitating when I was told I had BP 2, I didn't think my empathy was related, but I'm glad I'm not the only one

[TheKnetsie]

I was overly dramatic, overly sensitive (toughen up), overly well spoken, I couldn't handle my allowence (spent it in an eye blinc), I got over things too easily, change moods in an eye blinc (happy face/sad face), I never finished what I started, and as a teenager and adolescent, I changed boyfriends faster then my underwear (I was told so literally, but that wasn't the case and broke my heart every time), changes I chose to make were always drastic, I couldn't take any critisism, being defensive. When I look back, it's so obvious. But they were dismissed as character flaws, and some were applauded. Overall, I felt turned down for it, and as a result, I always felt bad about myself, always doubting my ability to think for myself, always pleasing, looking to see if I did allright, always feeling guilty . I just recently discover the possibility of bipolar 2, at 48 yo, after being treated only for the depression for 15 years. No one EVER thought of this possibility, and I've seen my share of therapists and doctors. It blows my mind to see all the dots connecting.

[yotsubatoes]

one of my biggest symptoms is that i can think up to 3 things at once. plus i always felt like i was never really present and i was just narrating everything around me, it calmed down once i started meds, it has really allowed me to be more present in my surroundings.

[KitaRoque]

"It's part of being a teenager" "It's just the stress of studying". . .I heard that so much I started believing it until I hit rock bottom and couldn't convince myself that it was just me being 'dramatic'. Still took another 1.5 years before I could go see a psychologist and even then it was STILL coz everyone thought thought I was being over-dramatic; coz, you know, having a giant meltdown is a normal thing that all 24-year-olds do 🙄
I get 'stuck' in my thoughts a lot. The first time I remember totally zoning out was in the 1st grade (I was 6). It still happens every now and then which is why I always have music or a video playing around me (especially when I'm stressed) so it kind of keeps me in the moment and I don't get too distant.

[borges]

Yes dahhling. You're explaining my life.
Very deep, empathic, I literally feel I have psychic abilities. I can feel people on another level. Their emotions etc. I have so much insight that others seem to overlook. I have a way of just knowing without you saying anything, super sensitive to people's emotions. Also Negitive/Toxic people are beyond overwhelming to me. I try to avoid these types of people.
However I thrive around positive people as I am probably feeling all that good energy.
I feel so pure hearted, openminded and compassionate. I'm generally a very deep, loving, positive and understanding person. I am super sensitive and emotional at times as well.
I tend to have a higher sense of thinking. While others including "family memebers" lack insight, argue and fight over foolish things. It breaks my heart. I am aware life is so short and Love & God is everything 🙏💕

[justintimefortea]

O...M... G...!! I'm 66yo... diagnosed as Type 2 only 2 yrs ago, but this is the first time I have heard anyone link empathy to type 2! I've always been a strong empath as long as I can remember, but in my adult years simply thought my strong empath traits were causing my depression or 'happiness' as I was linking into those moods around me. Since diagnosed as type 2 my whole life - for the first time - started to make sense (mood swings etc), but I still considered being a strong empath as 'something else', and not related to type 2... but you have just helped me fit that last piece of the jigsaw into place!! When you started to talk about being an empath I lost it... bubbling like a 66 year old baby! FINALLY... it all makes sense to me. Thank you gal... you have given me such an amazing gift... NOW I can understand. Thank you thank you! Stay strong young lady, and know that there is at least 1 person's life you have changed... MINE! Much peace, love and strength to you from this old hippy dude x

[blindbat]

I hate rejection, I love people for a week hate them next week. Im withdrawn and I feel every human emotion possible and can relate to anyone who has the ability to express their deepest with me. I get super excited and feel like im on top of my goals like I can accomplish anything then boom I crash for a few days or a day then the cycle starts again. I just started treatment for Adhd and Im seeing a tberapist and my primary care. Im gonna mention to my primary that I think well I know I need a mood stabalizer Been struggling all my life with this and now is the time for acceptance. I always felt sumb as hell because some things I just dont get. Failing at normal is what I call but now Im gonna do whatever it takes to get stable, be successful, and live a meaningful life. I cant thank you enough for making me more comfortable in my own skin. You are a brave soul.

[cymbala]

I think I've just been in a hypomanic state over the last 2 weeks... everything was so easy and I could suddenly accomplish tasks within a few days that had before been on my list for months ... I have met friends that I had not met for a long time...
I knew that this would change and I remember me thinking "I know this won't last, but I don't want to switch to depression ". That was two days ago.
And bang... yesterday I woke up with a miserable feeling, started to cry over some sad thoughts triggered by a postcard on my kitchen table (that had been there for quite a while without causing these thoughts before). I was able to go to work, but I have felt down and have cried several times since yesterday. I've developed fears again, for example that someone in my family might suddenly become ill and die...
My brain knows that this is all ridiculous and there is no real reason for feeling so bad, but I have no possibility to change it by myself.
I think the worst part is the feeling of helplessness in the face of these emotional changes...

[non-applicable.]

I started crying when I watched this, because this resonates with me so much. When you mentioned empathy, I gasped. It's almost like you see yourself in the other's body. Everything is so vivid. And it's torturous. After I watched Earthlings I became severely depressed, and those images kept popping into my head. Also, I had a myriad of imaginary friends when I was a kid. I never believed they were real, it was just the way I liked to play. All by myself.

[sashutka]

I feel the pain of animals so deeply it hurts so much

[Cortisoulm]

I remember a Tracy Chapman song bringing me to tears when I was about 8 or 9. My older sister just thought I was being pathetic lol. Used to lye awake a lot, thinking weird thoughts. Always have had very vivid, exhausting dreams and have bored my friends retelling every detail. I decided to do a study on suicide for English class in year 11. Nobody even asked if I was ok. Got diagnosed at 31 after a breakdown. Blessed to have wonderful friends, family and a faith. By God's grace I'm still here!