Feb 1
In Episode #45 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy introduces you to 27-year-old MMA fighter Emma Elizabeth Megan (“Em”) who was misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 18.
Em began struggling after experiencing a lot of stress in her first year of college. She was initially diagnosed with depression and put on citalopram. This medication caused her to be “buzzy” or hyper and ultimately led to her misdiagnosis of bipolar disorder.
Em accepted the diagnosis because she was young and didn’t know any better. She became suicidal from the bipolar medication and spent time in psych units. During this time she also earned a Masters in Psychology in an effort to learn more about bipolar disorder.
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Quotes:
"I get frustrated with my brain sometimes. But now that I understand, like, why it does things that it does."
- Emma Elizabeth Megan
"I don't want to do anything. And that's just boring. I don't like boring. And then for me the stimulant medication. Yeah, it makes me more organized."
- Emma Elizabeth Megan
"I've been doing a lot of thinking I've had a few days on stimulants before too, and I was so for them. But I've realized with both medications for me, they feel controlling, it sounds very hippy, but I have lived with myself long enough to know that I will miss those parts of me on medication."
- Emma Elizabeth Megan
"I get frustrated with my brain sometimes. But now that I understand, like, why it does things that it does."
- Emma Elizabeth Megan
"I don't want to do anything. And that's just boring. I don't like boring. And then for me the stimulant medication. Yeah, it makes me more organized."
- Emma Elizabeth Megan
"I've been doing a lot of thinking I've had a few days on stimulants before too, and I was so for them. But I've realized with both medications for me, they feel controlling, it sounds very hippy, but I have lived with myself long enough to know that I will miss those parts of me on medication."
- Emma Elizabeth Megan
[00:00 - 21:53] ADHD Diagnosis and Medication
[21:53 - 36:57] ADHD Medication and Weight Loss
[36:57 - 51:20] ADHD and Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis and Treatment
- Emma shares her story of struggling with bipolar disorder in college, moving away from home for the first time.
- Emma describes how she was misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder after being prescribed antidepressants, leading to a cycle of medication changes that made her feel worse.
- Emma shares how she stopped exercising after moving away to university, which she believes contributed to her low mood.
[21:53 - 36:57] ADHD Medication and Weight Loss
- Emma believes she is naturally anxious, and wonders if her anxiety could have been caused by the ADHD medication she was prescribed, while Tracy wonders if her own experience with medication could be related to her anxiety.
- Emma and Tracy discuss their experiences with ADHD medication, with Tracy finding it helps her focus but takes away her creativity and passion, while Emma finds it makes her more organized but also takes away her excitement and fire in her belly.
- Emma describes her childhood as having hyper focus and being resistant to authority figures, often leading to arguments and meltdowns.
[36:57 - 51:20] ADHD and Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis and Treatment
- Emma and Tracy discuss their ADHD experiences, humor, and communication styles.
- Emma highlights the difference between ADHD and bipolar disorder in terms of external factors and chemical imbalances.
- Emma shares her ADHD journey and social media handles on ADHD for Smart Ass Women podcast.
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EPISODE #45
