I have wild mood swings for no reason at all, but I don't think I'm bipolar?

Question

I am moody all the time, like constantly. I know, I know, insert moody female joke here, right? Shut yo' face. Anyway, the wild mood swings get to me. I'm on Lexapro for depression, and that's helped immensely, but I still get wild mood shifts, just not as depressive. I can be angry one moment, and nearly deliriously happy a few hours later. Everyone I know thinks I'm moody, but I'm not sure they even know the full extent of it, because I've learned to mask most of my moods. I wonder if this is a symptom of bipolar disorder? It's all I can think of, even though I was under the impression that bipolar manic or depressive episodes don't usually shift so frequently. Anyone else go through this? Anyone knowledgable about bipolar disorder care to chip in? Are there any other reasons this could happen (besides PMS related stuff, I've ruled that out)? Thanks for your input!

Answer 1

Look under the symptoms for common personality disorders: borderline personality (right here), histrionic, avoidant, schizoid ... There are lots of reasons that a person may react strongly to lot of situations. If you don't feel like you're uncontrollably manic and suicidally depressed and you know that it's changeable, you don't meet the criterion.

Years ago you would have. There used to be a distinction drawn between bipolar disorder and manic depression, and the distinction was that bipolars rebounded from stimuli and manic-depressives had cycles with little to do with stimuli. I think that the DSMV took a better look at personality disorders (especially histrionic and borderline) and reclassified some symptoms. There is still a little ambiguity over the likeness or difference of the diagnoses.

Answer 2

I was misdiagnosed w/ major depression. I was later correctly diagnosed w/ Bipolar disorder. Best thing is to keep a diary on Ur computer if u have one if not just in a notebook . Mon, -Sun. sleep, anxiety mood, depression, suicide, irritability, that's what i do, yoUrs will vary depending upon Ur consultation w/ ur Dr. Oh by the way 2-4 weeks mini um! Trust me I'm going on 7 yrs.
+ & am getting better, even took 10 credits at HCC B4 I almost went nuts & had to take a break. I'm going to KCC next semester, all paid for by DVR. .Get a 2nd & 3rd opinion. I got 6 opinions. Think about it, you only see the Dr. (just like me) when ur really depressed. One day I was in Kekela, The Mental Ward of Queen's, & I was feeling better so I was being discharged the next day so I was having an exit interview w/ Dr. & he said, "your Bipolar", because I was slipping into a manic phase.Had I left 1 day earlier or had another Dr. who didn't recognize the symptoms coming on...well th e rest is history & it is still difficult finding the right combination of meds because when ur Manic you have to take different volumes or different meds than when ur depressed or your symptoms get magnifyed. I have been on this rollercoaster for more than 7 yrs. So you have to educate urself, go to support groups,& therapy every week, especially at 1st because the longer you stretch it out, the longer ur recovery. The faster you get better, the faster you can stay better. I don't have to take as much meds now, I haven't had eminent suicidal or homicidal episodes very seldom, I hardly been in the Hospital,or jail, my 24 hr./day anxiety went from a 8-9 to a 2-4, now THAT'S AMAZING. I've been there, done that! Suicide attempts? Yes. Homicide Attempts? Yes! Restraining Orders? Yes! In the past 2-3 years? NO!!! Take care of urself now! Take it seriously. I used to make $50,000/yr.. It can happen to anyone. I'm on my way back up, I'm only 45. Yeah Baby, It's Possible! See the Mania in my writing? It's all good though, I help people. God helps me. God bless you.

Answer 3

Well, when I was younger my mother was the same way. And she would crack over the smallest of things that only annoy most people.

She was on two different things that I can remember (prescriptions of course). She was on Paxil and then Zoloft. It helped so much. She handled situations like a normal sane person would. Zoloft made the biggest difference between the two. Although, its a medicine where if you forget to take it every morning, you will feel a little odd until you have another couple doses in you.

As of now, my mom doesn't need any medications anymore. I believe they helped her deal with her problem and cure it. This could be a possibility for you. I would suggest asking your Physician about either of these two medicines. You could have the same results that my mom did.

Answer 4

Bipolar and manic depressive moods do shift pretty often. But before you go about believing or thinking you're bipolar, you need to see a doctor or therapist first.

Some anti depressants cause mood swings, that might be the problem.

How long have you been going through this? Any chance of pregnancy, seriously?

Answer 5

I have been like that before, and I am bipolar... the disorder can be very different for different ppl. And taking an antidepressant can actually make it worse. Talk to your dr about trying a mood stabilizer like lithium (it really isn't that bad) to even things out a bit...

Answer 6

Could be a hormone imbalance or a nutritional deficiency. For me it was a nutritional deficiency. I started taking a high dose multi-vitamin along with calcium-magnesium and a few other nutrients I was deficient in (as recommended by my doctor who had a degree in nutrition). For hormone imbalance you can find someone who does saliva testing. I am still a little moody, but now it is spread out over days instead of hours.

Answer 7

Lexapro (Escitalopram) can cause this, or it may be Ultradian cycling, in which mood cycling can also occur daily or even hourly. I think it is Lexapro. Switch to Bupropion XL, this drugs is least likely to cause mood swings. Talk to your psychiatrist, it is a well known fact that SSRIs cause mood swings. Either you have to decrease the dose and add a mood stabilizer or switch to another antidepressant.

Answer 8

Just because you don't know the reason doesn't mean there isn't one. Could be anything from bipolar to PTSD. Tell your doctor about the moodswings. Maybe Lexapro just isn't the right med for you.

Answer 9

doesn't sound bi-polar to me--but never hurts to get it checked out! Past problems can manifest in odd ways! Diet can also play a huge role in our moods! I heard that people are so lacking in water now-adays that can make peole react differently than normal!

Answer 10

yes oh I know I can relate to you

ok you know pms is a big matter

oh I had this for 2 years now I am done

you want to know my secret

I just added a good few supplements thatwas my secret

menopause complex

gla

protien shake

b-complex

oh man that did it it changed my life forever

I buy it from http://www.shaklee.net/thehealthyway

feel good smile cheese