Questions about bipolar disorder.?

Question

Answer any of the questions please.

1. What are some signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder?
2. If I think I have it, who should I tell?
3. What are some medications for bipolar?
4. Is it possible to keep a good relationship with someone if you have bipolar?
5. If I told my doctor I thought I had it, what would she do? Would she tell my mother?
6. Are there different types of bipolar depending on the person?

Answer 1

The symptoms of bipolar disorder can vary from one person to another. People with bipolar disorder should talk with their healthcare providers about their symptoms at each visit. Symptoms of depression and mania (formerly referred to as "manic depression symptoms") include the following.

Depression:
Feeling sad or blue, or “down in the dumps”
Loss of interest in things the person used to enjoy, including sex
Feeling worthless, hopeless, or guilty
Sleeping too little or too much
Changes in weight or appetite
Feeling tired or having little or no energy
Feeling restless
Problems concentrating or making decisions
Thoughts of death or suicide


One person describes symptoms of depression this way:

"I doubt completely my ability to do anything well. It seems as though my mind has slowed down and burned out to the point of being virtually useless. [I am] haunt[ed]…with the total, the desperate hopelessness of it all…Others say, 'It's only temporary, it will pass, you will get over it.' But of course they haven't any idea of how I feel, although they are certain they do."




Mania:
Increased energy level
Less need for sleep
Racing thoughts or mind jumps around
Easily distracted
More talkative than usual or feeling pressure to keep talking
More self-confident than usual
Focused on getting things done, but often completing little
Risky or unusual activities to the extreme, even if it’s likely bad things will happen


One person describes symptoms of mania this way:

"The fast ideas become too fast and there are far too many…overwhelming confusion replaces clarity…you stop keeping up with it--memory goes. Infectious humor ceases to amuse. Your friends become frightened…everything is now against the grain…you are irritable, angry, frightened, uncontrollable, and trapped."

Hypomania is a milder form of mania that has similar but less severe symptoms.

Keeping track

People with bipolar disorder may have periods of mania and depression during their life. But with treatment, their symptoms may be managed.

One important way to manage bipolar disorder is for people who are diagnosed with it to keep track of how they're feeling. They can track how things are going by using a Mood Chart.

If a person with bipolar disorder is taking medication, it's important for them to continue taking it even after the symptoms go away. If they stop taking medication, their symptoms may return.
THere aer many medications out there for treatment of bipolar. One common one is Lithium, which is a mood stabilizer. There are so many it would be impossible to list them all here for you.
I have bipolar and am married with a child. We have an excellent relationship and we love each other very much. While there are hard times, it is possible to have normal healthy relationsips.
If you tell your doc you have signs or symptoms, she may want to explore that further, send you to a psychologist to do some testing. As for telling your mom, it would depend on how old you are, and who is consenting for yout o be able to recieve treatment. A disorder like bipolar shouldn't be kept a secret.
The last website I posted, deals with the types of bipolar disorder. Good luck! Please remember that this info does NOT replace speaking to your personal physician. If you are feeling like this, please! talk to your doc!

P.S. There are no clinical blood tests or CT scans or MRI's that can diagnose Bipolar Disorder, it can only be diagnosed by observation, what the patient is reporting tot heir doctor and through written tests and evaluations. You must have a certain number of the symptoms listed in the DSM-V to be considered having bipolar disorder. And there ARE different types and the disease does NOT manifest itself the same way in each person. And not everyone is prone to violence who is Bipolar. Just a few myths that kinda bug me and I felt I needed to set straight! Whew!

Answer 2

1. What are some signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder? Start monitoring your moods. If you find that you are happy one day, sad the next, angry the next, and this starts to create a pattern, it's possible you may have it.
2. If I think I have it, who should I tell? Talk to your doctor, or enroll in counseling.
3. What are some medications for bipolar? There are many different types of medications, but only your doctor will know which one is best
4. Is it possible to keep a good relationship with someone if you have bipolar? Absolutely, with hard work with your counselor. You just have to be open and honest with them, and work hard to control your mood.
5. If I told my doctor I thought I had it, what would she do? Ask more questions, maybe refer you to a counselor
Would she tell my mother? Not if you asked her not to.
6. Are there different types of bipolar depending on the person? There are different levels of severity, but the disease itself is the same in each person. You just might not be as high/low as another person with the disease.

If you suspect you may have it, certainly seek help. There are so many functioning people out in the world that suffer from it. You aren't alone, and with help, you can still live a full and happy life!

Answer 3

Whoo, whee! 1. the signs are a manic state,(extreme energy), exhibited by vicious cleaning or errand running, or any other activity done to the extreme, followed by a depression in which you can't shake. (Inability to get out of bed), very self doubting thoughts, perhaps thoughts of harming yourself. 2. Tell a teacher, or counselor, or preferably your parents, IMMEDIATELY! 3. Lithium, Depakote, there are many, some taken with anti-depressants, such as Paxil, Effexor, Wellbutrin. 4. Yes, If properly diagnosed and medicated, no reason you cannot live a relatively normal life. 5. You gave yourself away, If you are under 18 I think it would be wise for her to do so, as the medication should be known to her. Plus she want's to do the best for you, (both your Doc. and your Mom). 6. There are 2 types of manic-depression, type 1 which is rapid cycling, up and down, up and down, etc. and Type 2 which is a little less nasty. Each person reacts to treatment differently, Catching it early, not screwing around with your drugs, not self medicating with street drugs, staying away from stressful situations, all have an effect. You ask some pretty insightful questions. I think you may already be concerned, Get professional advice ASAP.Good Luck.

Answer 4

1) Extreme mood swings, as many have pointed out. Check for things like spending too much money, lying in bed for days at a time, mood that is elevated and higher than normal, etc.

2) Preferably a psychiatrist. Talking to your regular doctor is a good start, but often these meds are tricky and you're in better hands if you are in the care of a mental health specialist. If you're underage, talk to your parents about it.

3) There are MANY effective medications for bipolar disorder! Anticonvulsant meds are often used such as Lamictal, Valproic Acid, gabapentin, Topamax, etc. There's also antidepressants like Lexapro, Paxil, Wellbutrin, Effexor, etc. Last but not least, docs sometimes prescribe antipsychotics such as Zyprexa, Risperdal, Abilify, etc. It all depends on your symptoms.

4) Absolutely! I'm bipolar, and I've been married to a wonderful man for over 7 years. I have some wonderful friends, all of whom know my condition and are supportive. They do realize, however, that sometimes I'm not always at my best, but they're willing to love me either way :) If your friends can't stand by you when you're depressed or manic and irritable, then they're really not good friends.

5) Depending on what state you're in, your doc may or may not be obligated to tell your parents. Other than that, your doctor (if you're talking about a regular General Practitioner) should refer you to a specialist to help you get started on medications. A mental health professional will help find the meds that work for you, and monitor your condition to see if your meds need re-adjusting.

6) Yes, there are a few different diagnoses for bipolar disorder. Bipolar I is characterized by mood swings that seem to have a definite cycle (say, manic for 6 months, then depressed for 6 months) and the mood ranges from extreme mania to major depression. Bipolar II is for people w/ abnormal mood swings that may go to one extreme, but not as far into the other. I, for instance, go from hypomania (less extreme mania, but still serious enough for medication) to major depression. My mood cycles also don't have a somewhat-set timeframe--they can shift any time, without any specific triggers.

If you feel like you may have bipolar disorder, you should talk to a psychologist or psychiatrist to be screened. They'll ask you a series of questions to get a feel for what's going on, what symptoms you have, and decide where to go from there.

Answer 5

1. You have extreme mood swings where you experience extremes of emotions. One moment you are fine or happy, the next b/c of whatever reason you are very sad or angry maybe. EMotional extremes.
2.) Your parents, ask a psychiatrist or your doctor if they can diagnose your symptoms, dont exaggerate though, more and more people are getting diagnosed for things they dont have.
3.)Not sure what its called, but my friend takes it.
4.)Sure, you just need to control how you feel and gauge emotion better and with therapy and/ormedication a relationship can definitely work. My best friend is bipolar and she is so awesome, i love her, and there are a lot of guys who like her. And she's dating someone right now and theyre great.
5.)Probably if you are a minor, it's nothing to be ashamed or embarrased about.
6.)YEs i think there are a few different "types."

Answer 6

1. The most obvious signs are the highs and lows you experience.
2. You should have your doctor run some tests.
3. He will prescribe the best medication to keep you balanced.
4. It's hard to keep a relationship with someone if you are not medicated correctly, because they don't understand.

5. If your over 18, it's your business.
6. Yes, there are different types.
Check it out on line with the Mayo Clinic, or WebMD.

Answer 7

The first sign is mood swings going from manic to depressed I have bipolar manic depressive disorder! I have been committed 2 times in the last 6 months.I take seroquel at night I'm supposed to take lithium/tompac/cynmalta/geodon/and 4 other melds but they all cause sleepiness SO I can't function during the day.I have only had 2 friends my whole life and 1 is my husband I just like to be alone.there is a simple blood test to check your lithium level that will give you the answer??

Answer 8

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, so if you think you may be bipolar, start with your family doctor who should refer you to a psychiatrist. 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. These drugs are heavy duty psychiatric medications and are not to be taken lightly, and most if not all of them have a range of side effects including lethargy, photosensitivity, cognitive impairment (dumb as a box of rocks), weight gain, hormone problems, hair loss and blood problems. These side effects have to be weighed against the benefits of mood stabilisation. Most patients will go through a number of different drugs before finding one that works for them.

It is perfectly possible to have a normal relationship once you are stable. I have been married for 20 years and bipolar for longer than that. It hasn't been easy, but it is possible.

What your doctor does is pretty well regulated. She is bound by patient confidentiality if you are an adult, but if you are still a child then she may inform your parents, particularly if you require medication.

Bipolar disorder 'officially' comes in three flavors: Bipolar 1, Bipolar 2 and Cyclothymia ('Bipolar Lite'), but the reality is that it is a spectrum of symptoms, and no two people are the same.

Answer 9

well i have a bipolar son,hes 44 years old now,and I can tell you about him.....You will have real big highs,like everything is good,then your mood goes down and you feel terrible..It is not a good thing to be in a relationship with a bipolar person if they are not taking medication.A bipolar person feels like everybody is against them and they will get stressed and irratated easily.The bipolar will lead to other things if you don,t get help,my son got into drugs,and alcohol and he don,t take his meds and hes just not easy to deal with.They put him on lithiam once but they have all kinds of medication for bipolar,and it could be you are just suffering from depression...Get off yahoo answers and go see your doctor and get help...good luck dear

Answer 10

GET HELP NOW!! if you think your bipolar than you should really look into it. its very dangerous for you and everyone around you. i had a girlfriend who was bipolar. Our relationship only lasted a year. i loved her but she was nuts. i was very hurt and damaged by the whole experience. if your bipolar you have extremely opposite emotions, and they change sometimes without cause or rhyme or reason. youll over react way above the reactions of a "regular" person. My girlfriend would get all violent, then start crying, then get pist again, then be sad. its sooo hard. You need to go to a behavioral health center near you and get pills and counseling, ask them if theyll tell your mom on your first visit.