I think that I have Bi Polar Affective Disorder. What are the symptoms?

Question

I feel almost suicidal sometimes. Other days I can feel normal for no apparent reason. I struggle to concentrate a lot. I have to gather my thoughts all the time.

Answer 1

Hi! I am living with bipolar disorder. I have lived with it for many years and started treatment about 7 months ago. I have created a web site that gives all the symptoms and much more. My links page lists several very good sites. There are links available for my bipolar friends in the UK, Canada and Australia. I hope to add more information as time goes by. Check out the site and links at the address below. I hope it helps.

Sincerely,
Terry

Answer 2

It's not exactly the same for everybody. Bi--two; polar--sides and affective--emotions (also called manic depression). You have mood swings from feeling extremely good (high) and you get things done to feeling very down and near suicidal. In the manic stage (high) you have running thoughts and before one thought is finished you have another one that comes in. You can stay up until 4 in the morning and feel rested the next day.It is in this stage that suicide is the greatest threat because in the depression stage you don't have enough energy to carry it out. You sometimes talk very fast and do reckless things like have sex with multiple partners or steal compulsively. The severity varies. Lithium is the drug usually used to treat it though I am on Depakote which works for me and has fewer side effects. I suggest you research the disorder and the treatment on the internet. You can have a normal life. Several celebrities, including Martin Lawrence, cope with this disorder and are successful. See a mental health professional. Best wishes

Answer 3

I have poor concentration and have been dismissed from several jobs. Though I have put this down to the fact I don't get enough sleep. I stay up half the night, and am knackered.

There could be loads of reasons for your poor concentration - sleep is one, dehydration is another. Are you drinking enough water per day?
Believe it or not these two factors can make a big difference. If I'm dehydrated and tired at work I get near zero amount of work done!!

Another thing - did you ever do drugs as a teenager? That can affect you too.

Also your age can make a difference in how you feel day to day. From age 14-20 I had mood swings that left me really down for a few hours, where I upset my family etc. Then I felt fine. I still have moods now in my mid twenties, but not half so bad. I now am able to recognise some of the signs and make a strong effort to stop and distract my negative thoughts before they go too far. I go and listen to music, or phone someone, or write, or read, or play videogames.

If you're worried still then go and see your doctor, see if they can help.

Answer 4

Bi polar no something else maybe. You did not say you experienced the euphoria that bi polars have. They will be on a really huge cheery high for days then drop and crash. There are many other disorders it could be like simple depression, or post traumatic shock syndrome or a simple anxiety disorder. Get evaluated by a doctor to be sure so you do not diagnose yourself for the wrong problem.

Answer 5

I don't think you're bi-polar. I think you've probably got a high IQ.

It's a sad fact that at times most days will feel bloody awful, even when they haven't really got any reason to be. People with average to low IQs don't register this as much as those with higher ones.

High IQ means you can understand big and small ideas. Low IQ means small ideas only. Small ideas aren't usually the ones that cause short intense periods of depression. Small ideas also can't understand big ones - that's why if you talk to your friends about the problem they'll probably eaither get upset and say you're wierd, or look at the floor and mumble.

High IQ also often means lack of concentration!

If you're really worried go the doctor and get checked out, but i think you're just being stifled.

Good luck.

Answer 6

you could try bodymind meditation, if you concentrate your efforts in trying to harmonise your (holistic) or whole system, do this by sitting quietly you could light a candle and or listen to some quiet music calming classical or some of the new wave stuff, can be cleansing if you know what i mean, sit with your hands by yoursides if you can find this comfortable, and concentrate on your naval chakra, no honestly, it works, then when you feel the inner warmth spreading down to the base of your spine, what you are feeling is your own healing strength or (chi) energies, then gently guide the energy around your system until it arrives at your head you will probably be feeling qutie sleepy by now this is quite normal, when you get the hang of this excercise, you will find your thought patterns realinging and you will feel asence of inner peace, i have performed this service for others and i have always had positive feed back, but it will be an effort to concentrate at first but stick with it,love and light, remember not to get angry, let the healing strength flow

Answer 7

This is not bipolar disorder this sounds like depression you need to see your doctor asap as you suffer from suicidal thoughts and you need to be completely honest with him/her as they can't help with what they don't know.Also plz do not try and diagnose yourself as you will find symptoms appearing you don't have. Book a double appointment so you can cover everything and if you are feeling suicidal phone oncall gp and explain as you need help.also although ellejaybee was trying to be helpful she is not a qualified health proffessional and that is who you need to see not just reading loads of research off the net.No offense meant!

Answer 8

Call your doctor and ask to have him call you and tell "him" your feelings and follow the advice. Also, there are free support groups usually listed in the newspaper under community events. You may call your Community Mental Health and ask for a appointment. this should be free. This condition is treatable with medication, you can live a happy and productive life- be happy but get help!

Answer 9

you need to see a doctor and let him know what y ou are feeling. Bi-polar is a disease that can be treated with medication for a chemical imbalance. good luck

Answer 10

sounds to me that you may suffer with adhd not manic depression. if you cant focus then that is a sure sign anyway you may have both disorders the only way to find out is with the mental health questionaire they give you. good luck but anyway do it or you will get worse and maybe ........