can a temper tantrum be a symptom of anxiety and depression, and not manic-depression?

Question

I am generally "down" and have a really hard time motivating and getting into a productive "mode." I also feel that my life is a completely tragic disaster. But, sometimes I just get so fed up with things that I "lose it" and go off on people. Does this sound like mania, or related to depression? I am trying to guage whether I am simply depressed, or bipolar.

Answer 1

Not likely to be bipolar. Here's the lowdown, I think you'll find very few of the criteria fit.

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.

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

Probably it is depression. If you are "losing it" and then you stop ranting and raving (your meltdown comes to an end and you are not still flying high) then it is a sign that your stress (either from internal or external sources) has gotten to you.
Get a professional opinion. Note your symptoms and how long an outburst lasts, what triggered it, how you felt before, during and after.
I had a lot of problems with outbursts when I was more severely depressed. I would just blow up. When I was finished with the outburst I would feel extremely shaken and depleted of energy (but not necessarily ready to sleep or "tired") I do not have bipolar. I have depression.
It has improved with medication and just learning better coping skills. The main thing is not to let things get to the point where you explode. Either you need to back off first or remove yourself from the situation.

either way you need therapy. It will help! Good luck!

Answer 3

It sounds like bipolar to me, and I should know, I'm bipolar as well. I do the exact same things. When I'm in a low mood I have absolutely no energy and feel almost suicidal. Other days I can be completely opposite, extremely happy and energetic. Then there are days where I'm so mean no one can stand to be around me. Although I could be completely wrong, I am no doctor, You should probably see some sort of therapist to give you a real diagnosis. I hope this has helped.

Answer 4

Hmm...I am not a doctor, but I would say it sounds like a depression of some sort.Or maybe even a mix of both. Have you thought about seeing a psychologist? I visited one several years ago and I feel like it helped me a lot. Of course, it didn't solve all of my problems or my bad moods, but I had a better outlook on things. And it's nice to get an unbiased opinion.

Answer 5

Probably not bipolar. Antidepressants stop temper tantrums.

Answer 6

This is a very good blog, a beginner’s guide to abnormal psychology.
Short, clear and simple; and you can even post your question and contact the author regarding particular subject you are interested in, for FREE

http://sensitive-psychoworld.blogspot.com/

Answer 7

I do that too, and I'm 36. I'm bipolar type 2.