Is this my Bipolar Depression or could it be an onset of Schizophrenia?

I don't know either so you should go to a doctor and find out. They know a lot more than me or you. When you get a diagnosis go to another doctor not telling him this is a second opinion. When he gives you a different diagnosis see a third and so on. Eventually you will get tired of this and decide you are just depressed but not everything or every part of the day is depressing so sometimes you feel happy. People who are depressed can see things out of the corner of their eyes that can even be their own eyelash but their anxiety is so high they interpret it as a figure or object that vanishes. There is nothing in the dark so there is no reason to panic. I think you are thinking your way sick and into a chemical straight jacket for no reason. Please contact me through my profile if you differ with my opinion. Good Luck!

Bipolar disorder which is what it is now called (used to be called manic depression) is a mood disorder which effects a persons mood and is caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. In bipolar disorder a person has mood swings from depression to mania which have to last 7 days each to be diagnosed but generally last weeks or months at a time. I developed bipolar when I was 15 and diagnosed at 18, when I was depressed I would sleep constantly, cry, self harm, wouldn't leave bed for days, didn't eat, wash, dress, constantly felt suicidal, hopeless and worthless, withdrew myself from family and friends and stopped going to school. This lasted for 6 months. Then I switched into mania when I was constantly full of energy and felt like I was on top of the world I was so happy, didn't sleep for days and if I did I would sleep up to 3 hours only, went out every night abusing alcohol and drugs, got into meaningless relationship, had sex with strangers, spent every penny I had and even stole from my mum, shop lifted, racing thoughts, aggressive and irritable, psychotic when I would hallucinate and be delusional to the point I stabbed myself and almost my boyfriend, I was constantly doing one thing to the next and I nearly failed college. This lasted for 4 months. Bipolar disorder is something that is very severe and effects your everyday life. I ended up being hospitalised because I was psychotic, hallucinating and delusional.

You do not mention any type of manic or hypomania behaviour, which is key in Bipolar. Bipolar Disorder is when someone has depression AND mania, not just depression. If you have just depression then its depression not Bipolar. Hope that makes sense. Anyways it sounds like maybe you have psychotic depression BUT paranoia in depression is a common symptom and this could also be down to anxeity which it seems like it is seen as you have panic attacks when you are in the dark. It sounds like depression and anxiet/panic attacks. But you should go back to your doctors and explain it to them so they can give you information and send you to a mental health professional to diagnose this if there is something else there that needs diagnosing. Good luck :) x

I have to agree, it does not sound like you have Bipolar or Schizophrenia. The symptoms do not quite match up. However, I am not a Psychiatrist...! In my honest opinion, I would also have to say that you seem to be suffering from anxiety and perhaps a on-going but somewhat mild form of depression (but still serious non-the-less). I hope you seek out the help of a trained mental health professional and find some relief!

Take Care

It's more consistent with bi-polar disorder than schizophrenia. Bi-polar disorder can be the central disorder, with any number of other symptoms. It's seldom a condition that just stands completely on its own, and both the manic and depressive phases can have aspects unique to the individual.

Many bi-polars tend to get so caught up in their own unique symptoms that it's almost all they can see, and it can sure feel like there are psychotic aspects when someone spends too much time concentrating on it.

This isn't particularly horrific or unusual stuff and you dont 'develop' Bipolar or Schizophrenia disorders.. I've never heard of MDD - I assume it's a new popular US term along with 'developing' a BiPolar or Schizophrenic condition?.

Go see a doc

It's probably psychosis