Will I develop a bipolar sickness or any kinda sickness from keeping in my emotions?

Question

My girlfriend always wants me to open up to her. I always say that I don't really want to, but just answer my question.

Answer 1

Of course not! It's a serious mental illness, not a virus. It has a strong genetic component and seems to be triggered environmentally. As there's a lot of ignorance about bipolar, here's a few facts:

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. Historically, figures suggested it affects about 0.8% of the population at some point, which makes it about half as common as schizophrenia. In recent years, bipolar disorder has become an 'in' diagnosis, and many more people are being diagnosed at younger and younger ages. As with ADHD, this fad may well pass with time, although for the moment many celebrities appear to be 'popularising' it.

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 person's 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 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 2

bipolar sickness is usually developed very early in life. you may have it but only a doctor can tell. I think you are just wanting to not share your innermost thoughts with just anyone, I think that is a good idea. If you ever want an objective view or just someone annomous to talk to I will be glad to listen.

Answer 3

i began getting morning disease at like 6 one million/2 weeks. often starts off between 6-7 weeks. good success! I purely felt drained each and all of the time. i've got no longer easily been vomiting, yet i run to lavatory and stand over the lavatory purely waiting and not something happens, in some cases i purely prefer i could! it may get greater desirable after the 1st trimester nonetheless!

Answer 4

Of course not!! Bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses are caused by unbalanced seratonin, dopamine, epinephrine, or norepinephrine levels. Holding in you emotions will have no effect on your mental health, accept it might make you a little cranky :)

Answer 5

Sure hope not. I'm not really open and I don't really have any good friends. I bottle up all my emotions. I've found that I can release them online, but it isn't that effective.

Answer 6

You cannot catch it like you would a cold. It is a disorder of the mind and can be treated.

Answer 7

No, but you might develop constipation