How do you know if you are a bipolar?

Question

I have been researching recently about bipolar and im trying to figure out if I am. Im embarrassed to go to the doctor but I think I need treatment. I experience the ups and downs, spontanuies ideas and daily depressions, but how do you really know before you can trust a doctor?

Answer 1

I think it's great that you are reaching out and I can tell you that there is nothing to be embarrased about. BP disorder is a very serious mood disorder that effects nearly 3 Million Americans. If left untreated, the disorder can be disabling and distressful to those who live with the afflicted. There is a high suicide rate attached to those afflicted, where nearly 30% attempt suicide, compared to those with Major Depression at 12%.

I'm 26 and have recently been diagnosed with BP. I have it under control through an intensive medication management plan and psychotherapy. I have two very good Dr's that I work with (Psychopharmacologist and Psychotherapist who specializes in CBT).

This may or may not apply to your condition, I am not a Dr and cannot diagnose. But if you are BP, it's imperative that you get it treated because of the potential consequences.

I didn't just wake up one day and decide I needed help, I got into a lot of trouble and put my friends and family through a lot of pain, especially over the last two years, where I experienced rampant manic episodes. In addition, I was hospitalized twice for two suicide attempts.

One of the common effects of the disorder is substance abuse; where someone who feels manic will often ignore the consequences to their actions and engage in high risk behavior, with exagerated optimism and improved flight of creative thoughts and ideas, feeling authorotive, oftentimes verbose and overwhelming. All the meanwhile, this person feels as if they are in their best mental state.

I had three long years of hardcore drug abuse, putting my life at risk by sleeping around, experimenting/mixing drugs. Half the time I was blacking out and who knows what I was pulling.

In the last 6 years, I've gone through 3 jobs, 3 girlfriends, 6 different apartments and proceeded to create and distroy more relationships than most people make in a life time.

I don't know if you've gone through anything similar (I hope not) and if you are bipolar and start treatment now, you can avoid it.

My first recommendation would be see a Psychiatrist who specializes in mood disorders. Oftentimes it's difficult to find a Dr. you are comfortable with on the first try. You may have to interview 3 - 6 Dr's before you strap yourself in and start working the therapy.

After you find a good Dr. work towards getting a firm diagnosis so you can get treated properly. It's imperative that you do not get misdiagnosed with Unipolar Depression vs. Bipolar Disorder. If you're misdiagnosed, the Dr. may prescribe an SSRI (common antidpressant) which is a NO-NO for those with BP and will make things worse, which is why it's more important that you find a Dr. that "specializes" in BP.

If you're having trouble finding a good Dr., refer to this link and take a shot.

http://www.dbsalliance.org/referral/

After that, I would spend as much time as possible educating yourself on the disease and treatment plans. You're going to have to be an active participant in this process, as it's not as easy to treat a mental disorder as it is a bactereal infections. It's important to understand why you are feeling a certain way, research it, communicate with your Dr. and understand why you are wired a certain way, so you can keep it under control. I strongly recommend that after you get leveled out with the meds, you start participating in Psychotherapy. Your Dr. will certainly be able to refer you to a good Psychologist and will work in tandum to assist you better in your treatment and containment of BP.

Here are some good links for info on meds and BP

http://www.dbsalliance.org/info/aboutmood.html
http://www.crazymeds.org

If you are BP, maintaining the condition will be a life long process. Better to getting aclimated sooner, which will make it much easier for the rest of your life.

I wish you the best and please email me if you have any questions I can help you with.

Answer 2

First off let me say that I'm not convinced from the symptoms you describe that you have bipolar disorder, although cyclothymia may be a possibility. However, I AM NOT A DOCTOR, just a bipolar sufferer, so the following is personal experience only.

You need to see your doctor, even if it is only to find out there is nothing wrong with you. There is no reason to be embarrassed about this at all. Print out th esymptoms from the wikipedia link below and check off the ones that apply. Be ruthless about this, because you really, really don't want to be bipolar. Take the list and your notes to the doctor.

OK, so bipolar is a mood disorder and a serious mental illness. It has a strong genetic component, but appears to be triggered environmentally. There are no diagnostic tests for it, just psychiatric evaluation. Most sufferers are not diagnosed until middle age, and it takes an average of around 8-10 years to get a correct diagnosis. In recent years bipolar disorder has become an 'in' diagnosis, and many more people are being diagnosed at younger and younger ages.

It is characterised by episodes of severe clinical depression and mania or hypomania (for definitions of those, see here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Current_diagnostic_criteria_for_bipolar_disorder The extreme end of mania often turns into psychosis, complete with hallucinations and delusions. During manic phases, the persons judgement and perception of reality is severely compromised, leading to risky actions with potentially damaging consequences (financially, sexually and relationship-wise). Untreated, episodes generally worsen over time due to an effect known as kindling. Untreated Bipolar sufferers are at a very high risk of suicide: 20-25% attempt it, and and 15% succeed.

The cycles in bipolar disorder are much longer than people generally believe. Anyone whose mood changes from minute to minute is very unlikely to be bipolar. Bipolar 1 is characterised by mood episodes lasting many months, while Bipolar 2 has episodes in the region of weeks to months. Rapid and ultra-rapid cycling bipolar disorder is rare, and cycles last days to weeks.

There are many drugs available to treat the symptoms of bipolar (there is no cure). These are either anti-convulsants or anti-psychotics (personally I take both), and the most well known of these is Lithium. Most patients will go through a number of different drugs before finding one that works for them.

Answer 3

It takes years to correctly diagnose bi-polar disorder. Unfortunately, a psychiatrist will medicate you after only one episode. That is what happened to me. I had one two week period where I had a great amount of energy, didn't need much sleep, my appetite was off, and I was full of new ideas. I was hospitalized for three weeks, and my husband made me stay on medication for three years. I have been off of medication for one year now (don't tell Hubby) I am doing great and going to college.

If it is interfering with your daily life, I would definately see a doctor. Only you know the severity of your problem. Would you consider it a character trait or is it truly getting you into trouble. Read Patty Duke's biography for some insight.

Answer 4

You need to be diagnosed by a professional. It's a diagnosis that can't instantly be made, but you will have to be monitored over a period of time.

If you are lucid enough to be thinking you have bipolar disorder, you probably don't. There are other forms of depression that have the same types of effects, and aren't bipolar.

Bipolar is considered usually after you have a psycotic event (manic episode) followed by hospitalization, and the cycle repeats itself more than once.

Answer 5

ok how many people that answered that ARE bi-polar?? i have type one and two i can't remember which is which but one of them is when the up/down cycle is more long term like weeks at one end or the other and the other type is quick swings mostly day or so. at this moment i'm in my depressive state and contemplating suicide but don't freak i know better. to determine if you are bi-polar the right way go fotr a sych val(evaluation) by a trained dr. notyour family dr. you might have to be referred to a specialist via your family dr. my personal disease i have moments where i am up for long or short perids and down and i have had both hit me at once i'm up and downi'm sure there ar sites out there that claim they can help with self diagnoses but GO TO A DR. and if you feel te need to harm yourself or others befoe you get a dr app. go the the emergancy room.

Answer 6

Symptoms of bipolar depression
Bipolar depression is more than having the blues. A person having a major depressive episode experiences extreme sadness or numbness almost all day, every day, for at least 2 weeks. They may also show a loss of interest in or enjoyment of their favorite activities.

In addition, the person shows signs of at least four of the following nearly every day:
Significant changes in appetite and/or weight (e.g., may crave specific foods or be unable to eat)
Sleep problems (e.g., may have insomnia or sleep too much)
Loss of energy or fatigue (e.g., may take much longer to do simple, everyday tasks)
Trouble concentrating (e.g., may have a hard time making decisions or focusing on work)
Slowed speech, thinking or body movements (e.g., may take a long time to answer a question)
Inappropriate feelings of guilt or worthlessness (e.g., may fixate on perceived failings)
Agitation or restlessness (e.g., may not be able to sit still)
Recurring thoughts of death or suicide (e.g., may have plans for how to commit suicide)
You can learn more about bipolar depression and bipolar disorder at www.bipolarhelpcenter.com.

Symptoms of bipolar mania
Note: The following information is provided for your information purposes only. SYMBYAX is not approved for the treatment of bipolar mania.

The main feature of a manic episode is an excessively "high" mood (euphoria) or an abnormally irritable mood. The mood must last for a week or more (less time if the person has to go to the hospital). Along with the euphoria or irritability, a person has three or four of the following symptoms:
Inflated sense of self-importance (e.g., may have grandiose delusions or overestimate abilities and talents)
Decreased need for sleep (e.g., may go days without sleep and not feel tired)
Loud, rapid speech (e.g., may talk nonstop)
Racing thoughts (e.g., may abruptly jump from one subject to another)
Distractibility (e.g., may not be able to screen out irrelevant details)
Agitation or restlessness (e.g., may pace or hold multiple conversations at once)
Increase in goal-oriented activities (e.g., may have an increased sex drive or become excessively and inappropriately social)
Unwise involvement in pleasurable but potentially risky activities (e.g., may rack up significant debt, have sex with strangers, abuse drugs or make rash investment decisions)

Answer 7

The only way to be diagnosed is to go to the doctor. Don't be embarassed, just give yourself peace of mind and go. No one can really diagnose a mental illness in themselves, you need to see a doctor.

Answer 8

Find a doctor you are comfortable with. Check on rating sites if you want. Here is some helpful links for you.

http://bipolar.about.com/cs/bpbasics/a/0210_whatisbp.htm
http://www.mhsource.com/bipolar/?_requestid=590279
http://www.dbsalliance.org/media/BipolarFacts.html

Answer 9

that's basically being manic or super elated at one time and being the opposite (depressed super down) at another time of the day.
this is also called manic-depressive behavior.