How does one know if they're bipolar, and where do you get help?

Question

I have a problem controling my emotions most of the time as my mood changes constantly for no reason.Many people have notices and it's becoming harder to control them.I'm not sure if I'm bipolar, but I'm pretty sure something wrong as it's been a problem since I was small.So how do I know if I actually have a problem,and if I do could this lead to something worse?

Answer 1

Ask your primary care provider for a referral to a psychiatrist for the reasons you stated. If your health insurance allows, you may be able to schedule a consult without a referral by contacting Mental Health Services for your insurance. Customer service can give the phone number. You can be diagnosed by relating your own experience to the psychiatrist and by being screened. I hope that you do not, in fact, have bipolar disorder.

You cannot go to any web sites or online questionaires as has been suggested. That would be self-diagnosing (not acceptable nor accepted) and you are not a mental health professional.

Answer 2

convinced, I do decrease back you up in this. EVERONE has united statesand downs. merely because someone is moody doesn't propose that they are bipolar, it merely skill they're, properly moody. Being Bipolar is severe sessions of united statesand downs. the united statesin many cases are (yet no longer continuously) so severe that the guy is really severe with out drugs. And the downs are so unbearably depressing that the guy loses their will to stay. So merely because someone is moody does no longer propose that they are bipolar, i have merely defined the version between Moods and Bipolar sickness

Answer 3

The only way to be sure would be to be screened by a mental health professional. Once diagnosed, a psychiatrist can help you get started w/ medication. You'll also want some individual counseling, and you'll have to call your insurance company to find out which practitioners in your area are covered.

Over time, untreated bipolar disorder can become worse, leading some to alcohol & drug problems, inability to hold down a job, and loss of friends. It impacts every aspect of your life, which is why it's best for you to seek help.

Answer 4

Take the Homeopathic Remedy for Mood Swings IGNATIA AMARA in 30 potency three times a day half hour before meals, and get cured without any side effects or complications of any kind. Feel free to email me if you have any questions or want to confirm anything.
Take Care and God Bless you !

Answer 5

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. 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.

Answer 6

Bipolar disorder is a very specific diagnosis. You can find out if this is your problem by going to an appropriate professional: a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in psychiatric medicine and behavioral disorders. Look in your phone book for "Psychiatrists" - not therapists or counselors. You will want someone with an MD. Therapists and counselors (people with PhD's, MA's, MSW's, etc.) are essential tools in helping with the treatment of bipolar, but you should get a diagnosis from a psychiatrist FIRST. That is where you start.

Answer 7

IT doesn't sound as if you have bipolar disorder but cyclothymic disorder which isn't as serious. Bipolars go through manic periods were they can't concentrate, can't sleep, are overexcited and impulsive, talk too fast and too loud and generally live very intensely. Then they go through depressive episodes. These episodes can be experienced during the same day or with a few days/weeks between each episode.

If you feel as if something's wrong then go see a therapist. Cognitive Analytic Therapy is very effective. Also, bipolars lack lithium in they're system so a blood test to check for lithium might help although seeing a therapist is highly recommended.

Answer 8

Those who are bipolar have extreme highs....as well as extreme lows.... During high times the feel as if they can do anything, they can conquer the world. Then they have their low times where they fall into a deep depression to where they feel they don't amount to anything. There really is no in between stage for them unless they are on medication You can also ask a psychologist for help on this one if you need it

Answer 9

If you do not get help for bipolar disorder it usually gets worse with time.` Go to a psychiatrist and talk to them.

Answer 10

Ask your family Dr. for a referral to see a psychiatrist. When at the Psychiatrist office ask for information on bipolar and see if it seems like you. Only qualified Dr. can diagnose you. Good luck.