Bipolar disorder?

Question

Is it possible to have "mild" bipolar disorder or have the disorder with some of the symptoms and not others? My husband sometimes has some of the symptoms of mania (irritability, anger, volatility, talkative, overspending money, compulsion with sex) and some of depression (moodiness, negativity, sleeping a lot). Sometimes he has them all at the same time or quickly goes back and forth. I alway know when he is super sweet and happy that the fall is about to come. How do you know if someone is bipolar or just very "moody" or volatile? Most of the time he is very sweet and friendly, but he can change his mood in an instant and say and do things he later regrets. He says he's just an @$$ - he would rather believe he is a mean or bad person than that he has a mental illness.

I should add that he refuses to go to a doctor because he doesn't see that anything is wrong.

Answer 1

There are varying degrees of bipolar... some doctors argue that even regular depression is bipolar disorder, just with less severe swings one way or the other. He would need to see a doctor to know for sure, but it sounds to me like he ought to. Could be something else entirely, but he won't know until he talks with doctor and if he doesn't do that, you're going to have to decide if you can really stay with this person or not.

Answer 2

Check out bipolarhappens.com and electroboy.com. Bipolar can vary from person to person as far as how long and quickly moods change, etc.

Answer 3

Eh... this is a tough one. i grew to become into honestly misdiagnosed Bipolar, yet then rediagnosed as BPD. Borderline character sickness is a character sickness, that develops interior of your adolescence, finding on your emotional progression- it involves extreme temper swings, and various character function subject concerns it is very much impacted, and led to via the folk you work together with. BPD is likewise a debatable difficulty- many believe that Borderline isn't real. using fact this is a gentle, or not thoroughly stepped forward sickness of MPD- or different character sickness, on account which you do not have regulate egos.. Many docs believe those situations do not exist. Biploar sickness is a chemical imbalance, that many believe develops at beginning- it involves 3 ranges- including a point degree, depressive degree, and manic degree.. BPD, and Bipolar the two have the stigma of having temper swings- yet Bipolar mania is provided in ranges, as BPD mania is unpredictable, and is set via the regulation, or sickness of your emotional state. in spite of the shown fact that, neither ailments are curable- purely treatable via drugs, and scientific care. i might think of BPD indications, alongside with Bipolar sickness- which contain Black, and white thinking. Splitting/ disassociation comes at ranges- and various extreme, and impulsive urges, and behaviors are led to via the way you react emotionally with others. in spite of the shown fact that it is amazingly problematical, and complicated to pinpoint 2 psychological subject concerns that coexist with one yet another, while they the two contain comparable indications. They almost compromise one yet another.. from the opinion of my psychologist, Biploar/ BPD can not often coexist at the same time- and being that Bipolar sickness is the main frequently misdiagnosed psychological sickness interior the psychiatric field, it may desire to be incorrectly clinically determined.. lots of those with BPD, have a 2d psychological ailment that coexists with being Borderline. stress, and melancholy are the main hardship-loose. yet Bipolar sickness is only as volatile, and unpredictable as BPD. it may additionally be melancholy/ BPD- even be certain to attain that Bipolar sickness includes various indications that mimic, or are comparable to many different psychological subject concerns, or visa versa. i might get the opinion of a nil.33 well-being care expert. it may take years to precise diagnose a guy or woman. i'm not asserting it is real, it may desire to purely be a false impression, or difficult to hint down, and understand. sturdy success..

Answer 4

He probably is and could use treatment.

If he refuses treatment - try the best you can to persuade him to see someone. Otherwise, be on the lookout for escalating mania or deepening depression.

Answer 5

HI,,,,, This is called "Rapid Cyclers",,, they go from one to the other all the time,,,,,

My wife,,, is a manic-depressive or now called bi-polar,,, and we have been thru some rough times together..... and I have gotten to the point ,,,, now,,,,,,, 1 more,,,, thing,, and thats it... I am sick of it......no more.. sorry......
As long as they take their meds... they are usually ok... but when they believe they are fine without them,,, look out.....

good luck

Answer 6

if you wanna know for sure, go to a docter to get him tested. my best friend has bi-polar, and now she is taking medicine, and is fine. she isnt 'crazy' anymore. her moods are balanced, and she is alot happier.

Answer 7

Try Adult ADD

Answer 8

You're either bipolar or you're not

Answer 9

Here is some info for Bipolar Disorder.

Bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression) is a treatable illness marked by extreme changes in mood, thought, energy and behavior. It is not a character flaw or a sign of personal weakness. Bipolar disorder is also known as manic depression because a person’s mood can alternate between the "poles" mania (highs) and depression (lows). This change in mood or "mood swing" can last for hours, days weeks or months.

Bipolar disorder affects more than two million adult Americans. It usually begins in late adolescence (often appearing as depression during teen years) although it can start in early childhood or later in life. An equal number of men and women develop this illness (men tend to begin with a manic episode, women with a depressive episode) and it is found among all ages, races, ethnic groups and social classes. The illness tends to run in families and appears to have a genetic link. Like depression and other serious illnesses, bipolar disorder can also negatively affect spouses and partners, family members, friends and coworkers.

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder differs significantly from clinical depression, although the symptoms for the depressive phase of the illness are similar. Most people who have bipolar disorder talk about experiencing "highs" and "lows" – the highs are periods of mania, the lows periods of depression. These swings can be severe, ranging from extreme energy to deep despair. The severity of the mood swings and the way they disrupt normal life activities distinguish bipolar mood episodes from ordinary mood changes.

Symptoms of mania - the "highs" of bipolar disorder

Increased physical and mental activity and energy
Heightened mood, exaggerated optimism and self-confidence
Excessive irritability, aggressive behavior
Decreased need for sleep without experiencing fatigue
Grandiose delusions, inflated sense of self-importance
Racing speech, racing thoughts, flight of ideas
Impulsiveness, poor judgment, distractibility
Reckless behavior
In the most severe cases, delusions and hallucinations

Symptoms of depression - the "lows" of bipolar disorder

Prolonged sadness or unexplained crying spells
Significant changes in appetite and sleep patterns
Irritability, anger, worry, agitation, anxiety
Pessimism, indifference
Loss of energy, persistent lethargy
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness
Inability to concentrate, indecisiveness
Inability to take pleasure in former interests, social withdrawal
Unexplained aches and pains
Recurring thoughts of death or suicide

If you or someone you know has thoughts of death or suicide, contact a medical professional, clergy member, loved one, friend or hospital emergency room or call 1-800-273-TALK or 911 immediately.


You cannot diagnose yourself. Only a properly trained health professional can determine if you have bipolar disorder. Our online self-assessment can help you communicate your symptoms to your health care professional.

Many people do not seek medical attention during periods of mania because they feel manic symptoms (increased energy, heightened mood, increased sexual drive, etc.) have a positive impact on them. However, left unchecked, these behaviors can have harmful results.

When symptoms of mania are left untreated, they can lead to illegal or life-threatening situations because mania often involves impaired judgment and reckless behavior. Manic behaviors vary from person to person. All symptoms should be discussed with your doctor.

Types of Bipolar Disorder
Patterns and severity of symptoms, or episodes, of highs and lows, determine different types of bipolar disorder.

Bipolar I disorder is characterized by one or more manic episodes or mixed episodes (symptoms of both a mania and a depression occurring nearly every day for at least 1 week) and one or more major depressive episodes. Bipolar I disorder is the most severe form of the illness marked by extreme manic episodes.

Bipolar II disorder is characterized by one or more depressive episodes accompanied by at least one hypomanic episode. Hypomanic episodes have symptoms similar to manic episodes but are less severe, but must be clearly different from a person’s non-depressed mood. For some, hypomanic episodes are not severe enough to cause notable problems in social activities or work. However, for others, they can be troublesome.

Bipolar II disorder may be misdiagnosed as depression if you and your doctor don’t notice the signs of hypomania. In a recent DBSA survey, nearly seven out of ten people with bipolar disorder had been misdiagnosed at least once. Sixty percent of those people had been diagnosed with depression.

How can I spot hypomania? Talk to your doctor about the possibility of hypomania if you’ve had periods of several days when your mood is especially energetic or irritable, and/or

You feel unusually confident
You need less sleep
You are unusually talkative
Your thoughts come and go faster than usual
You are more easily distracted or have trouble concentrating
You are more goal-directed at work, school or home
You are more involved in pleasurable or high-risk activities, such as spending or sex
You feel like you’re doing or saying things that are unlike your usual self
Other people say you’re acting strangely or you’re not yourself

Cyclothymic disorder is characterized by chronic fluctuating moods involving periods of hypomania and depression. The periods of both depressive and hypomanic symptoms are shorter, less severe, and do not occur with regularity as experienced with bipolar II or I. However, these mood swings can impair social interactions and work. Many, but not all, people with cyclothymia develop a more severe form of bipolar illness.

There is also a form of the illness called bipolar disorder not otherwise specified (NOS) that does not fit in to one of the above definitions.

Because bipolar disorder is complex and can be difficult to diagnose, you should share all of your symptoms with your health care provider. If you feel your symptoms are not getting better with your current treatment and your doctor does not want to try something new, do not hesitate to see another doctor to get a second opinion.

Treatments for Bipolar Disorder
Several therapies exist for bipolar disorder and promising new treatments are currently under investigation. Because bipolar disorder can be difficult to treat, it is highly recommended that you consult a psychiatrist or a general practitioner with experience in treating this illness. Your treatment may include medications and talk therapy.

Be sure to tell your health care providers all of the symptoms you are having. Report all of the symptoms you have had in the past, even if you don’t have them at the time of your appointment. Since these illnesses can run in families, look at your family history. Tell your health care provider if any of your family members experienced severe mood swings, were diagnosed with a mood disorder, had “nervous breakdowns” or were treated for alcohol or drug abuse. With the right diagnosis, you and your doctor have a better chance of finding a treatment that is right for you.


Bipolar Disorder in Children
Bipolar disorder is more likely to affect the children of parents who have the disorder. When one parent has bipolar disorder, the risk to each child is estimated to be 15-30%. When both parents have bipolar disorder, the risk increases to 50-75%.

Symptoms of bipolar disorder may be difficult to recognize in children, as they can be mistaken for age-appropriate emotions and behaviors of children and adolescents. Symptoms of mania and depression may appear in a variety of behaviors. When manic, children and adolescents, in contrast to adults, are more likely to be irritable and prone to destructive outbursts than to be elated or euphoric. When depressed, there may be complaints of headaches, stomach aches, tiredness, poor performance in school, poor communication and extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure.

The treatment of bipolar disorder in children is based on experience in treating adults with the illness, since very few studies have been done of the effectiveness and safety of the medications in children and adolescents. It is important to find a doctor that is well-versed in treating this illness in children and one that you work closely with throughout the course of treatment.

According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, up to one-third of the 3.4 million children and adolescents with depression in the United States may actually be experiencing the early onset of bipolar disorder.
Helping a Friend
One of the most important thing family and friends can do for a person with bipolar disorder is learn about the illness. Often people who are depressed or experiencing mania or mood swings do not recognize the symptoms in themselves. If you are concerned about a friend or family member, help him or her get an appropriate diagnosis and treatment. This may involve helping the person to find a doctor or therapist and make their first appointment. You may also want to offer go with the person to their first appointment for support. Encourage the individual to stay with treatment. Keep reassuring the person that, with time and help, he or she will feel better.

It is also important to offer emotional support. This involves understanding, patience, affection, and encouragement. Engage the person in conversation and listen carefully. Resist the urge to function as a therapist or try to come up with answers to the person’s concerns. Often times we just want someone to listen. Do not put down feelings expressed, but point out realities and offer hope. Invite the depressed person for walks, outings, to the movies, and other activities. Be gently insistent if your first invitation is refused.

It is often a good idea for the person with bipolar disorder to develop a plan should he or she experience severe manic or depressive symptoms. Such a plan might include contacting the person’s doctor, taking control of credit cards and car keys or increasing contact with the person until the severe episode has passed. Your plan should be shared with a trusted family member and/or friend. Keep in mind, however, that people with bipolar disorder, like all people, have good and bad days. Being in a bad mood one day is not necessarily a sign of an upcoming severe episode.

Never ignore remarks about suicide. Report them to the person's therapist. Do not promise confidentiality if you believe someone is close to suicide. If you think immediate self-harm is possible, contact their doctor or dial 911 immediately. Make sure the person discusses these feelings with his or her doctor.
Support Groups
With a grassroots network of over 1000 chapters and support groups across the country, no one with bipolar disorder has to feel alone. DBSA support groups provide a caring environment for people to come together to discuss their challenges and successes in living with the illness. They are not group therapy, though each group has a professional advisor and appointed facilitators. DBSA groups provide a forum for mutual understanding and self-discovery, help people stay compliant with their treatment plans and gain support from others who have been there. For information on a DBSA support group in your area see our support group locator, or contact DBSA at [phone].