is my mom bipolar?

Question

is my mom a little bipolar?. not totally, but a little? she always starts getting sooo mad, and angry, and yells alot when my dads refuses to go to the grocery store, because he`s too tired. she buys things too much. she buys me things, but knows i wont use it. i dont think she`s depressed, but sometimes she is like really mad, and when she`s mad, she takes it all out on me. but sometimes shes really happy, buying me alot of things.

Answer 1

Not sure you need a medical diagnosis and more info simply because someone yells does not mean they have bi polar it is more likely a communication problem. People yell for numerous reasons mainly to externalize their inner feelings it is a learned behavior she has realized that it gets a reaction. It may also be the only way she knows how to get her frustration across. It seems that your mum acknowledges some of this behavior and this shows in her buying you things etc. It is used as a means of smoothing things over as once again she seems not to be able to communicate and apologize for her behavior. Even if what she buys is not what you like it does not matter because lets face It when we buy others things it is usually something that we are attracted to however usually when buying something for others we base it on something they would like/use but what we like out of the selection. Once again it seems that communication is an issue with your mom she really does not know what appeals to you so some real talking needs to be done. Relationship problems are evident in this family seek help even for yourself if you are the only one open to intervention at least you will be advised of ways to deal and cope with it. Good luck

Answer 2

Bi-Polar Disorder is a very specific diagnosis, which must meet a minimum of behavior criteria. And, a qualified psychological professional would be unable to make an assessment, let alone a diagnosis in a forum such as this.

It does sound like there may be a bit of compulsive tendency in your description, and a lack of awareness of the effect of her behavior on others.

You are most likely not in a position to suggest that your Mother seek professional help, without negative repercussion. So, I suggest that you pick a time when she appears to be calm, and explain how her irratic and emotionally irrational tyrades effect you and the other members of your home. Of course, I wouldn't use the terms irratic and/or irrational.

Instead, focus on calmly discussing how much more you like being around her when she's calm, and not yelling. Be sure to ask her what you can do to help her achieve happiness, as she defines it. If she's open to sharing, you might find some info that will help you to help restore the peace.

If the conversation goes well, and focuses on restoring harmony and a loving environment, you may be able to suggest that you are worried that there may be some nutritional or hormonal imbalance within her system. And, that you would worry less if she saw a doctor to discuss the situation with -- and offer to go with her, if she wishes. Seeking professional help, either medical or psychological, can be terrifying. So, offering to be supportive can go a long way!

Just so you know, there are a great many things that could be behind her mood swings. You might be correct about the bi-polar, or it might be a nutritional or hormonal imbalance, or it may be psychological. There is no way to know without professional assesment and testing.

Wishing the best for you and your family.

Answer 3

I was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder before it was cool to be bipolar, around 23 years ago. I was on Lithium for a number of years then a combination of Topamax and Lamictal. Now I am just taking the Lamictal. Over the years I have experienced severe manic(no sleep for 3 to 4 days) episodes to horrible depression where I can barley crawl out of bed. I have experienced illusions of grandeur(I would start a new nursing job on Mon. and buy Mon. afternoon I could see myself as director of nursing the next day). Before diagnosis I had some problems with my spending and relationships but those were alleviated after getting my medications straight and by having a good psychiatrist and therapist to work with. It takes time to get the situation under control so try to get help from the rest of your family and most of all you should all work to be a great support team for your mom if that is her diagnosis. I thank God that I have had support of my daughter and husband. I was talking with my daughter one day and told her " You know Samantha I just realized that I am mentally ill". Her response was " Ah duh mom! We love you anyway though!". Good luck and hopefully things will improve when she sees a doctor and a diagnosis is made.

Answer 4

It is possible, because rage and spending sprees can both be caused by bipolar. You don't think she's depressed, but there is no such thing as bipolar without depression. Sometimes it is masked by the 'rage' state.
"Mild" bipolar is called cyclothymia.
She could have another problem like borderline personality disorder (although they now think that might just be a variant of bipolar anyway). Regardless, you and your dad need to break this cycle of emotional violence to improve your quality of life.
Read a book called "stop walking on eggshells."

Answer 5

? if she won't bark at you, have her take an online questionnaire

this seems to be a good one: http://www.bipolarhelpcenter.com/resources/mdq.jsp

http://www.psycom.net/depression.central.bipolar-screening.html
http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/MDQ.htm
http://www.psychiatrist.com/pcc/pccpdf/v04n01/v04n0104.pdf

Maybe she can get checked out at a local clinic if she is willing to go. At least a mild antidepressant will often help things. I don't advocate the use of heavier RX's like antipsychotics or mood stabalizing drugs.... unless they really do something... often they don't.

I agree with the hormonal or nutritional imbalance if she has it. Have her go to an alterantive physician for bioidential hormones. They are safer than synthetic prescription ones. Nutritional imbalance is also possible. Zinc is critical for brain function. 20 mg per day will correct a deficiency. Magnesium Amino Acid Chelate 200 mg per day is also good to supplement even if one is getting enough. Those are key, but there are others.

Answer 6

Give your mum some space, maybe she is over worked & gets no help at home, she is your mum no matter what so be understanding. She may yell at you & your dad but remember she must work just as hard. Seems like you want that good things she buys you but complain when things go wrong. Mums are great.

Answer 7

The word "bipolar" is simply a label used to categorise a list of psychosocial traits that Psychiatry considers to be improper or abnormal in society. Psychiatry defines these traits as a "mental illness", and promotes it as a "disease" that requires "treatment".

It is not a "disease", despite claims or implications made by certain psychiatric and pharmaceutical organisations. There is NO credible scientific evidence that shows the existence of what constitutes "bipolar" as a biological/neurological disorder, brain abnormality or "chemical imbalance".

"For a disease to exist there must be a tangible, objective physical abnormality that can be determined by a test such as, but not limited to, blood or urine test, X-Ray, brain scan or biopsy. All reputable doctors would agree: No physical abnormality, no disease. In psychiatry, no test or brain scan exists to prove that a 'mental disorder' is a physical disease. Disingenuous comparisons between physical and mental illness and medicine are simply part of psychiatry's orchestrated but fraudulent public relations and marketing campaign." Fred Baughman, MD., Neurologist & Pediatric Neurologist.

"Chemical imbalance…it’s a shorthand term really, it’s probably drug industry derived… We don’t have tests because to do it, you’d probably have to take a chunk of brain out of someone - not a good idea." Dr. Mark Graff, Chair of the Committee of Public Affairs for the American Psychiatric Association. July, 2005.

Symptoms that psychiatry labels as "bipolar" (or it's related disorders), can stem from any number of variable sources. Many people, for example, have overcome "bipolar" through megavitamin therapy and effective nutrition. A growing wealth of evidence supports that underlying nutritional deficiencies can cause even the most severe mental disorders, including symptoms labelled as "schizophrenia" [See source refs]

Bottom line? Psychiatry is a belief-system, a "faith", not a science. Despite the huge marketing strategies, the so-called "research" and all the propaganda thrown at the world, there is not one iota of scientific evidence that proves that "schizophrenia" or ANY mental illness, in fact, exists as an actual --medical disease--.

The U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Mental Health states: “The precise causes (etiology) of mental disorders are not known” and that “there is no definitive lesion, laboratory test, or abnormality in brain tissue that can identify the illness.”

If you have been told differently then know this: You have been lied to.

For more information, please visit:

http://groups.msn.com/psychbusters
Decoding Psychiatric Propaganda

For information on non-drug / alternative approaches:
- http://www.alternativementalhealth.com/articles/default.htm#B
- http://www.pendulum.org/articles/articles_misc_lisaalt.html
- http://www.truehope.com/_empowerplus/empowerplus.asp
- http://www.mentalhealthproject.com/content.asp?id_Content=1575

Answer 8

She sounds like something is wrong. Can't give a quick diagnosis but if her behavior is impacting the family negatively, you all should go get counseling. That might be a start.

Answer 9

AM going to a doctor.I have bipolar but yet they only say i have depress.So what you want to do take her to the Doctor.Explain to her that your scared for her.Take care and good luck.

Answer 10

I would talk to your dad and suggest that he talk to your mom about getting help from her doctor. She needs counseling and needs to calm down. Both you and your dad need to work together to get your mom some medical help.