Wondering if I am a manic depressive or possibly bipolar?

Question

I've had depression issues since i was very young, i was always really shy because i always thought everyone hated me or was talking bad about me...in school i was quite and i had friends but it was hard for me....then i went to boarding school in high school...i was seriously miserable, i abused my body, i didn't care about living and i did alot of drugs.....i turned around graduated high school and went into the air force......i know i have social anxiety disorder, but one minute i'm ok the next i am moody, and it will be really for no reason, something i made up in my head......i can't drink anymore b/c when i do i go crazy, i start arguements and last time i freaking tore the house up.....i get depressed so easy and it ruins my mood the rest of the day....i don't know what to do, i don't want to be on medication...this behavior runs in my family and my nephew has been diagnosed as bipolar

Answer 1

What do you mean you don't want to be on medication! If you are truly bipolar you will have the manic stage as well. I believe you should consult a doctor and get on some kind of medication and intensive psychotherapy. Sounds to me like you have a personalty disorder as well. Why would you choose to live your life like this when you know the possibility of changing things for the better are great. Are you really serious or are you just fooling around. This is a very serious problem for many people out there.

Answer 2

Symptoms:

The manic phase may last from days to months and include the following symptoms:

Elevated mood
Racing thoughts
Hyperactivity
Increased energy
Lack of self-control
Inflated self-esteem (delusions of grandeur, false beliefs in special abilities)
Over-involvement in activities
Reckless behavior
Spending sprees
Binge eating, drinking, and/or drug use
Sexual promiscuity
Impaired judgment
Tendency to be easily distracted
Little need for sleep
Easily agitated or irritated
Poor temper control
These symptoms of mania are seen with bipolar disorder I. In people with bipolar disorder II, hypomanic episodes involve similar symptoms that are less intense.

The depressed phase of both types of bipolar disorder involves very serious symptoms of major depression:

Persistent sadness
Fatigue or listlessness
Sleep disturbances
Excessive sleepiness
Inability to sleep
Eating disturbances
Loss of appetite and weight loss
Overeating and weight gain
Loss of self-esteem
Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness and/or guilt
Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
Withdrawal from friends
Withdrawal from activities that were once enjoyed
Persistent thoughts of death
There is a high risk of suicide with bipolar disorder. While in either phase, patients may abuse alcohol or other substances, which can worsen the symptoms.

Sometimes there is an overlap between the two phases. Manic and depressive symptoms may occur simultaneously or in quick succession in what is called a mixed state.

For more information on this condition just click on the link below?

Answer 3

Manic depression and bipolar disorder are the same things. You show symptoms of paranoia, depression, and bipolar disorder. However, although people with clinical depression experience mood swings, people with bipolarity usually experience more uncontrollable and even violent outbreaks like you seem to be experiencing. However, this cannot be detected by people on yahoo answers, except for maybe a retired or still working psychiatrist. My advice is seek a professional. Depending on how bad your disorder is, they may put you on medication. If you don't want to be medicated, seeing a psychologist could help you learn to control yourself better. Even sometimes patients are medicated while seeing a psychologist, and as the patient better understands their illness and becomes more comfortable with controlling themselves, they will be slowly weened off of medication. I hope I helped!

Answer 4

Ya, you do sound bipolar but have a Dr. decide that. There are many people out there that can help you control it. I have had some of your same problems except drugs and drinking. You can get better. Just your question shows you want to get help. What is wrong with medication if it helps you? Do what you need to do to be happy. I get so mad when people think your nuts because you take medicine. Sometimes things are not in our control. It can be genetic and may take medication. Take that to the next step and get that help. Good luck to you. And if a medicine makes you feel druged its wrong tell the Dr. and try something else.

Answer 5

The only way to really tell is to see a doctor and get a proper diagnosis. Manic depression is what bipolar disorder used to be known as, so they're the same thing.

Mental health issues aren't something that can be diagnosed on an internet message board, so to be sure, find a mental health professional and get help for whatever disorder you have (assuming you have one).

Answer 6

Try something to stay balanced and on an even keel, like meditation or yoga, and regular exercise. If you don't want to take drugs, look for a therapy group called "Cognitive Behavior Modification". It teaches you to recognize and control the thoughts in your head that make you feel depressed and angry. There is a booked called "Feeling Good" that describes how it works. You can always try one medication at a time, see if it helps or not. Express your concerns to a doctor. It is always your right to stop taking them.

Answer 7

Take responsibility for your actions and stop trying to make excuses for your behavior. Even if you do have a mental illness that is still no excuse for the way you have been behaving. Be a responsible adult and go to a doctor, follow through with the doctors recommendations and get on with your life! Start thinking about how your behavior effects those around you!

Answer 8

We are not trained counselors. Your first step is to see a counselor. Some of them can do alot with "talk therapy" if you're committed to going weekly long-term and you try hard to work on yourself. If all the docs say you need medication, then perhaps you do. It's better than living life out of control. If you had any other illness, you wouldn't turn down medication... so why let yourself suffer ?

Answer 9

1- manic depression is bipolar

2- yes you could very well be bipolar. There are medications out there that can help though... and dont worry, youre not alone. There are more than 2 millon people in the US with it. 25 million aericans are coping with mod disorders, also, so its really not that big of a deal.

http://www.ritro.com/printable.bv?contentid=1575

http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/mental_health/bipolar.html

Support groups:

http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/support-group.html
http://www.dbsalliance.org/info/supportgroups.html

Answer 10

manic depression is bipolar, it's just a more medical sort of name. Alcohol is a depressant, so you will just have to stay away. You stated yourself how badly it affects you, so the decision to get help youself is up to you. Secondly I would advice seeking professional help, especially as there is a family history of bipolar.