Does anybody have bipolar disorder?

Question

I need to know when you first started having signs/symptoms (what age). Do you think it maifests as adhd as a child? Does anybody else in your familly have it?

Answer 1

I was 17 yrs old when I had my very first manic -depressive episode. I was very suicidal. I couldn't sleep,I went to church everyday, talked about God frequently. There's strong religious connotations for people with bipolar disorders. I wasn't eating. I was withdrawn, And I had auditory hallucinations i.e. I heard voices talking to me in my head. All of this was brought on by troubled, turbulent adolescent years. My mother was physically abusive towards me.
This condition is usually genetic or hereditary. My uncle and my aunt and my cousin on my father side had it. My father had it. Now my nephew also has it.

The problem wasn't addressed and it became dormant. It didn't resurface until I was an adult. I have had 4 major hospitalizations because of it in 10 yrs. Only at the last commitment 2 years ago, for a duration of 4 months, was I properly diagnosed and I was faced to accept the fact. And this time therapy was undertaken. To date, I'm still under medication and therapy. It's a

There are a lot of theories as to the causes including chemical imbalance, and epileptic disorders, There's no cure just management or control of mood swings thru medications and prevention to avoid reoccurence of manic-depressive episodes, i.e. avoidance of potential crisis triggers.and coping mechanisms. There is a holistic approach to the treatment; which includes diet, exercise, biofeedback, mood control techniques, and effective support systems.

Answer 2

Boopie give a pretty good answer except for the part of blaming it on how you are raised. That is a cop out with therapists without proper/enough education (usually they are treating patients with a BA degree only and that is BAD). This is the very worst therapist for someone bipolar as this is one of the worst, most complicated diagnosis in mental health today. It usually manifested after an anxious childhood and with the first hormonal changes as you enter puberty. This can be different for anyone as these changes begin as early a 9 and as late as 15. I would recommend anyone with this condition be counseled and treated by only a licensed psychiatrist. Anything less is not fair to the patient or the therapist. Anything else hormonal that may be different can make this condition worse. A diabetic bipolar has probably the worst time of facing life on an even keel. Medication has numerous side effects but they are far better than no treatment and do lessen over time. Medication and mood swing to the "up" side of the condition can make you think you do not need medication. This is never true NO matter what ANYONE says. Medication for the bipolar is a lifelong commitment and with this you can have a really good life. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

My son has it. He was- mildly borderline -at the bottom of the border ADD. He was diagnosed with Bipolar as a teenager around 14. The doctor said that it was because of a chemical imbalance. He had a big growth in height, weight, and male testosterone. No one else has it. No i don't think it comes from ADD or ADHD. I think too many people especially kids are misdiagnosed that's why my son was tested by a independent professional children's doctor.

Answer 4

I am 59 years of age. I was diagnosed at 49. Since then I have been able to trace the manic back for sure to age 16, possibly 9.
From my experience as a 3rd grade tutor, I'd be hesitant to make the adhd connection, though I see where you could find some similarities.
No one in our family line appears to have had it.

Answer 5

I believe I started having symptoms of bipolar since my preteens. I think before that I just had General Anxiety Disorder. It was terrible, I worried about every little thing. I was diagnosed with bipolar when i was 16. I hit a depression and wasn't going to school and was cutting myself. My father, sister, 2 aunts and one uncle have it. My family is all screwed up, so many of my illnesses could be attributed to how I was raised.

Answer 6

Up until I was 26, I believed that I had adhd & that I suffered depression. Misdiagnosed! But when I began having problems at age 8, I don't think bi-polar was believed to be a children's illness.

Answer 7

I do not have it - however, I work in the MH field. bipolar disorder can manifest as a child, although it generally isn't discovered until the late teens/early adult hood. It can, also be hereditary. THere are many, many good medications to help with the side effects of bipolar disorder. Please see your family physician before self- diagnosing

Answer 8

I had a good friend that was bipolar. It's pretty much just a chemical imbalance of your hormones. I don't think anyone else in her family had it.