Bi-Polar????

Question

Could I be bi-polar or just depressed??!!
I go from being in a great mood to crying and throwing a fit....and I can't help it. Untill after getting all emotional I feel sooo bad and hate my self for the way I acted ... I don't know whats going on in my head and I just can't seem to stay stable. This has only been going on for about 4 months, but it is really affecting my realashionship with EVERYONE.

Answer 1

The good news is that it probably isn't bipolar. You need to understand what bipolar is before you can see why you don't have it...

OK, so it's 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. 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.

Also, Bipolar doesn't just suddenly start, it's a slow build up over years usually, with the symptoms becoming more abnd more severe. You do need to see a doctor, however, and maybe have your thyroid checked out along with your hormone levels.

Answer 2

nicely. if he punches himself then there may definitly be something there. I war with BiPolar. that is diverse for everybody like my uncle (who died 2 weeks in the past from powerful and run) he might want to get suicidal, delusional, and purely ordinary scary my cousin sounds plenty like your brother. except he receives delusions. like god despatched him to do stuff. now it has gotten to the point that if he does not take his meds-he is going immediately to reformatory. BiPolar is an rather serious difficulty. the faster you capture it-the more effective might want to he be open to seeing a psychiatrist purely once. to make sure what he thinks. also he might want to take anger managment instructions. medicine for anger complications- i recognize mood stablizers help very much. and there are some diverse excersises he can do if he can experience himself attending to a snapping aspect i might want to attempt to communicate him in to seeing a specialist-no matter if its purely once so that you adult adult males could have an idea what you're doing upload: whoever reported BiPolar swings arent that speedy is inaccurate. the speedier they're-the further volatile he will be. I have considered those who purely have a significant swing some cases a three hundred and sixty 5 days. yet I also recognize many those that in good structure an similar description as your brother

Answer 3

It's too hard to answer from the info you've given. It could be you're really stressed and don't realize it. Or it could be hormones. Maybe you can check with a psychiatrist. He or she can ask you specific questions that will help you know for sure what's going on, and hopefully can work with you on how you want to deal with it.

Answer 4

It's best to be referred to a psychiatrist to answer this question. At least you are aware that you are having these mood swings, which is good. Seek professional advice, there is no shame in it, it's just like going to a specialist doctor for any other problem.

Answer 5

you should get your self to the doctor you could have many different things going on from bi polar to thyroid problems too a chemical imbalance or hypoglymecia so go to your family oratciner they can point you in the right direction.

Answer 6

They only way bi-polar can be diagnosised is by a liscenced dr or physcologist or a physcitrist.

But you might want to check this out on webmd. for all mental illnesses.

Answer 7

Well you could be either. The best way to find out is to go to a psychiatrist/psychoanalyist and get diagnosed and then get the correct treatment.

Answer 8

People like you get on my nerves. Quit bitching about your life and do soemthing about it. Some people need a firm kick in the *** to get things going, and you ma'am, are one of those people.