My family tell me thay think i have bipolar But am Scared to go to the Dr. and see b/c I don't understand this

Answer 1

Bipolar is an illness that is easily treated today with medications. It can't be cured but it can be treated.

It's understandable to be scared of something you don't understand, but the easiest way to understand something is to learn about it.

There are a number of pages on the web that give information about bipolar. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/bipolar.cfm is one to start.

You should go and see your family doctor and talk to him/her about the possibility of bipolar. It's quite possible that it is not the problem at all. Ask any question that you have, and be honest with your doctor about any symptoms you may have.

If you are young and don't want a family member to go into the doctors with you, why not see if you can make an appointment with a counsellor? They could also then refer you to a doctor if you don't wish to see the family doctor.

Answer 2

Hello............Don't be afraid. I would be more scared of not knowing than finding out you have bipolar. If your family has enough love for you to want an answer, you should be grateful that they care that much for you. Have you been feeling odd lately, finding it difficulty to focus on things? Staying up late? Are you having problems at school or at work, thinking that nobody understands you? Do you have feelings that you just have to do something, but can't figure out exactly what that something is? Have you felt the urge to drink or do drugs to try to change how it feels in your brain? Do you feel as though you could take on the world's problems and actually win? These are some of the ways you may think or feel when the manic side of bipolar is presenting itself. On the other hand, are there times when you just can't get out of bed, or cry for no particular reason? Have the things that normally interest you lost their meaning to you? Have you stopped calling your friends or feel as though the world would be a better place without you in it? These things may be a signal that the depressive side of bipolar has worked it's way into your life. It may appear that I have more questions than answers for you today, but in order for you to determine whether or not you have bipolar, these are some of the questions you must ask yourself. When you go to the doctor, he/she will ask you many of the same questions that I have. Above all else, you must be painfully honest with the doctor, so that a correct diagnosis can be made. Tell them everything, even though you may want to hold back. Having bipolar is not the end of the world, but if you do have this illness and choose to go untreated, you simply will never to be able to erase that fear and uncertainty you are feeling right now. Do yourself a favor and take that first step up into the rest of your life. I hope that I have helped you. Good luck and take care ..................

Answer 3

You don't want to go to a regular doctor to seek help with this question. You need to ask a Counselor or a Psychiatrist. I would not take your family's word on this...are they experts on this...do they have a Masters in Psychology? Just because they think this DOES NOT MEAN YOU HAVE THIS. I know this from personal experience. My mother is bipolar and she kept telling me I was too...So I went to a Psychiatrist because it really upset me when she would tell me this..Turns out I am NOT Bipolar..But I do have hard to treat depression. I take three different kinds of anti-depressants. So before you let this upset you any further..ignore their unqualified diagnosis, and for your peace of mind ask someone who is qualified. If it turns out you are bipolar..there are meds to treat it. It does not make you a crazy person if you are bipolar. I was told when I was first diagnosed with depression 12 years ago that it's no different than being a diabetic..it's just an illness that needs to be treated....I kept stopping my meds back then because I didn't want to be "different" , to have to take meds to live a normal life. But you don't even know if you really have bipolar disorder...If you have any more questions feel free to e-mail me. Take care and don't worry, there is nothing to be afraid of..except maybe your family.
Here's a link with some info.

Answer 4

i understand that it is scary. i went through the same thing and am still debating on taking my lithium. but i do know that just going and talking to my shrink and therapist has helped SO much. if you think you have bipolar just go and see your doctor. you can read about it online to help you learn more about it and my doctor explained everything to me because i was so scared. i feel alot better knowing what i know now. and thats that it can be treated, like everyone else has said, and you can live a happy life with it if you take your meds, exercise and write in a journal. thats really helped me..and also this site..www.dailystrength.org is a WONDERFUL place to go be a part of. the people there are so supportive. i'm on there under the name bianca in the bipolar community..check it out if you're scared, it has become a great place for comfort.

Answer 5

From what I understand bipolar people are really up in life and the next minute really down and depressed. Is this you? Also you can do a google search and take the quizes on line to see if you match the symptoms. If so get to a Psycholoist for help. Thats what their there for.

Answer 6

Can you say why they believe this? That would seem to be a sensible start. Bi-polar disease used to be called Manic Depression. My uncle suffered from this and basically it means that someone who suffers from this has extreme swings of mood. They can appear and be 'normal' for a while then slowly their behaviour slowly changes and becomes either intensely depressed and withdrawn unable to even to get out of bed or wildly euphoric during which time they talk incessantly, have wild plans and schemes which they start to implement but fail to complete and so on.Does this sound like you? Only a qualified medical practitioner can give an informed opinion so you really need to be brave and seek competent advice.I wish you well.

Answer 7

I am bipolar and there is nothing to be afraid of . . .it is a mood disorder (mood swings) between depression and mania. Go to the dr and tell them your symptoms so you can be properly diagnosed. If they do determine you're bipolar they will put you on a medicine to stabilize your moods and you'll feel so much better. Try reading up on it so you understand it and yourself better. Knowledge is your best weapon.

Answer 8

There are medications that can help reduce your symptoms significantly. You may want to just "get it over with" so you can know either way. Here is what I found on Wikipedia:

Bipolar Disorder, formerly known as manic-depression, is a diagnosis in psychiatry referring to mania (or hypomania or mixed states) alternating with clinical depression (or depressed or euthymic mood) over a significant period of time. Unlike highs and lows a normal person might experience, one with bipolar disorder experiences extreme mood swings that can last for minutes to months. Mood changes of this nature are associated with distress and disruption, and a relatively high risk of suicide. There have also been links to high functioning, notably regarding hypomania ('below mania') and creativity. More often than not, people with bipolar disorder are above average in creativity, perseverance, and sometimes intelligence. Countless writers, musicians, artists, scientists, performers, poets, and other creative talents have been diagnosed with some form of bipolar disorder, and some even attribute it to their creativity. Both the natural drive for success and flight of ideas in the state of mania and hypomania are linked directly to many creative motives. Some people who suffer from bipolar disorder have mixed states often, where they feel depressed and 'blue', but unlike clinical depression one in a mixed state may still feel 'always high'. It is one of the signature characterists of bipolar disorder. They may have creative energy, racing thoughts, but a constant negative feeling. These two extremes combined can often lead to anxiety. This is one of the reasons that many people with bipolar disorder also suffer from panic disorder.

Bipolar Disorder is commonly categorised as either Type I, where an individual experiences full-blown mania, or Type II, in which the "highs" don't go beyond hypomania (unless triggered in to mania by medication). The latter is much more difficult to diagnose, since the hypomanic episodes may simply appear as a period of successful high productivity. Psychosis can occur, particularly in manic periods. There are also 'rapid cycling' subtypes. Because there is so much variation in the severity and nature of mood-related problems, the concept of a bipolar spectrum is often employed, which includes cyclothymia. There is an ongoing dispute as to how many 'types' of bipolar disorder there really are. Many with bipolar disorder in the manic state are prone to severe anxiety and panic, while others are completely euphoric. Some do not get manic, and rather stay in a less intense state (hypomania).Depression medications often do not work well with bipolar people since it may induce mania and worsen the disorder. In addition, many with bipolar disorder are originally diagnosed with unipolar depression (clinical depression), further complicating diagnosis and definition


go to the link and check it out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipolar_Disorder

Answer 9

my mom and my boyfriend have bpd. my mom is insane and doesnt acknowledge that she has it, not on any meds or anything, and she really needs it. it's a huge problem and my parents are divorcing now, partially bc of her friggin insanity. my bf on the other hand recognizes that he has it, isnt on meds cuz he said they made him moodless. like an emotionless freak u know. some mood stabilizers will do that (i used to be on meds for depression). so when he's in a bad mood he just needs to be alone, and if i dont try n be with him he'll get over it sooner. if i were u i'd try meds, bc it really does work for most ppl. oh mental illnesses. im used to 'em. no biggie!

Answer 10

Bipolar disorder is treatable by medication. MANY people have it, are treated and lead normal lives. See a doctor. It can't hurt.