how do you know when a person is bipolar?

Answer 1

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

How is bipolar disorder diagnosed?

Bipolar disorder can be difficult to detect. Some people go as long as 10 years or more before being correctly diagnosed. The reason for this has to do with the dual nature of the disorder. When someone is feeling manic or hypomanic, they are full of energy and usually feel good. They are "high on life" and seldom seek treatment. By contrast, they often seek treatment when they fall into a major depressive episode. At that time, they describe only depressive symptoms to their doctor. Therefore, it is common for the individual to be incorrectly diagnosed with depression instead of bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder also shares many of the signs and symptoms associated with other psychiatric illnesses such as anxiety disorders and schizophrenia, further complicating diagnosis.

Unfortunately no laboratory test can detect bipolar disorder. However, a simple questionnaire can help a doctor determine if someone has common symptoms of bipolar disorder. This questionnaire is called the Mood Disorder Questionnaire, or MDQ. The MDQ is a checklist that helps a doctor identify bipolar-related symptoms. Keep in mind when talking with doctors about psychiatric disorders that they are trained to deal with them through drugs, but there are other more effective treatments out there with less side effects. You may need to do some research on your own.

If you think you or someone you know may suffer from Bipolar Disorder, I strongly suggest you go to www.truehope.com to learn about a relatively new treatment that is helping many people regain mental health without the use of drugs that can cause serious side effects. I am one of the people who has been significantly helped with this new treatment. As well, if you sign up for the support program (no cost) you are then able to chart symptoms day to day to discover any patterns and to get a clear view of how you or your loved one is being affected.

A very interesting book that can help family members to gain some insight into the disorder and the affected individual is a book called These Painted Wings by Autumn Stringham. It is available at www.thesepaintedwings.com

Answer 3

Of course if they tell you they were diagonsed with it. My son has bipolar and I had no clue, everyone has mood swings, may not be as bad as the other person but we all get angry. A doctor is the only one who can diaganosis who has bipolar. I know that it took many months of staying at a hospital before they evene came close to saying he had bipolar. It is not taken lightly.

Answer 4

"When their moods seem to change dramatically from one moment to the next. And most times, it's an extreme mood, not so much from laughing to not laughing. " Good answer by the poster.

I have bi-polar disorder and before I knew what I had this was the kind of stuff that went on with me. I kinda go into moods a lot.

Answer 5

Such a diagnosis can only be made by a psychiatrist or a psychologist. If you believe you, or someone you know might suffer from an affective disorder, you should contact a professional who can treat this disorder.
Best of luck.

Answer 6

Shopping sprees, mood swings, binges, days without sleeping, talking fast, racing thoughts, bad finances, most bipolars have to file for bankruptcy

Answer 7

I think im bipolar -- but seeking a psychologist needs money right ? im still a student :(

Answer 8

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 9

When they meet the criteria and have seen a Mental Health professional. Here is a link you may find helpful.

http://psychcentral.com/disorders/sx20.htm

Answer 10

When their moods seem to change dramatically from one moment to the next. And most times, it's an extreme mood, not so much from laughing to not laughing.