Can bipolar go away?

[munchkin]

Have had depression for 20 plus years. About 5 years ago it got really bad. I was married but started drinking, and meeting men and having sex. My shrink said these were maniacs. I was also on lithium as well as venexx.

I'm now divorced, I left him. Stopped drinking and took meds, and had a long term relationship.  I hated that lithium made me gain weight, so a month ago I stopped taking it.  I've not been manic, and the depression is as terrible as its always been.  Even on lithium I was always depressed.  I've even have ect.

My question is can bipolar go, or could the drink have made me seem bipolar?  I'm depressed, avoid going out and talking to people, I'm withdrawing so much. 

[Buttercup]

I think you need to talk to your doctor & explain about the drinking and alcohol really just to see what they think.

Bipolar doesn't go away, people can live symptom free for a number of years but as far I know the bipolar stays.

Hope you get some answers. Xxxx

[oceansdeep]

Hi Munchkin, my understanding is that bipolar doesn't go away, but like Buttercup said people can be symptom free for long periods. Also, and apologies if you already know this, lithium isn't an anti-depressant, but a mood stabliser meaning that it should help prevent people going from highs (manic episodes) to lows (depression), but wouldn't do that much to help depressive symptoms. In fact, people with bipolar often aren't prescribed anti-depressants as it can bring on manic episodes. I reckon you should see your GP and speak to them if you think you were maybe wrongly diagnosed? Hope you find some help, Ocean.