How do you know if you have Bi-Polar?

Question

I seriously need to know some of the symptoms of Bi-Polar, because my friends and I assume that a good friend of ours might have it. He's really young (almost 18), but we still might think he has it because of his rapid mood swings, he switches his words around, and just this past summer he's been getting into the stupidest fights/arguments with us for no reason, and I don't know.....he's just really changed in the past few months. But he's really changed in weird ways and I just want to know if he might have something wrong with him. I think his childhood probably has something to do with it, I don't know. I know I'm not a doctor...but I should diagnose him myself. I'm kind of worried, and I just want to be there for him whenever he needs it.

Answer 1

Try your best to talk him into seeing a doctor. Without a proper diagnosis and medication, the problem will continue to worsen. Help him to get help before he does something physically violent. If you can't appeal to him, try going to someone close to him...a brother, sister, parent, girlfriend or best friend. Talk to your own parents for guidance. He is lucky to have such a caring friend. Good luck!

Answer 2

Sounds like your friend might be feeling his "testostrone" oats, dear. Guys of this age have those exact mood swings because of raging hormones. However, you can look on a site for symptoms of bi-polar disorder and check it out. If this is the problem, he will need professional help and possibly medication. Bipolar people are their own worst enemies and tend to really piss everyone else who loves them off one way or another...and they think there is NOTHING wrong with them. Then have no feelings or empathy for other's. The are flighty...for instance, cannot finish a project completely; maybe have been ADD as a kid. They have major ups and downs and trouble concentrating staying on task. You might want to just be there when he needs you and not try to get involved too much here because if he is bipolar, he will think you're trying to control him. Best thing to do in this case is be there to listen, and give him lots of space. Godlove ya for being a good friend.

Answer 3

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorders




Common symptoms of mania include:

Increased energy, activity, restlessness, racing thoughts and rapid speech.
Excessive euphoria
Extreme irritability and distractibility
Decreased sleep requirement
Uncharacteristically poor judgment
Increased sexual drive
Denial that anything is wrong
Overspending
Risky-behaviors
In contrast of the manias, the times of depression can bring great, lasting despair and thoughts of suicide. These depressions can make their victims lose all hope in life, and claim lives through suicide. The depression causes the person to lose interest in things that were once enjoyable, and even makes it impossible to get out of bed some days. Compared to the outgoing personality that is usually seen from the person with bipolar disorder, the times of depression make the individual withdraw. While they are in a depressive state, most bipolars wish they could get back to "normal" which they identify with their more productive manic self.

Answer 4

Hello................I'm glad that you care about your friend. People who have this disorder really need a network of friends, family and doctors to see them through. The young man you speak of will exhibit a wide range of symptoms. While in the manic phase of bipolar disorder, he will seem positively "high" as if he has done some type of psychotropic drug. His brain will be racing so fast that he will be unable to focus on any one thing for longer than a few minutes, and when he speaks, he will blurt out ideas which seem to make no sense, rarely forming full sentences. He may want to do things like save the planet single-handedly or help an underprivileged village in Africa. Not bad ideas, but unrealistic at best, especially for someone who can't focus for more than a few minutes. He may also develop a fascination with God, where none had existed before. His sexual drive may be in high gear and he will take on[or want to] as many partners as time will allow. He will stay awake, often for days on end, taking on projects which he may have never been interested in before,like cleaning his room or drawing. He may feel as if his ideas are the only ones worth listening to and is not afraid to say it. These periods of mania are usually followed by severe depression where he is unable to even get out of bed. What was important to him at one time no longer matters, like sports or school and even his friendships. His personal hygiene may go unchecked, and he will appear listless. Nothing anyone says to him will cheer him up and he may even believe that the world would be a better place without him. The danger that he may commit suicide is very real, so if you have ever seen him in this deep depression, be the first to step forward and talk to his family about it. Family members are usually the last to realize that what they are seeing is something other than a "phase" Explain to them that you think your friend may be going through something that you are trying to understand but just can't make sense of it. Talk to them about what you have seen and that you are worried. Your friend may deny that anything is wrong at all, because he really doesn't understand it himself. He may even enjoy the mania, most bipolar people do. They are "on top of the world" But the "crash" is inevitable and the depression may cause your friend to end his life. Don't remain silent. I can see that you really do care about him . I am mother to a child with bipolar and know what it means to have people who care enough to tell me what is happening. I thank you just as I thanked my daughter's friends when they stepped forward to help. Good luck to you and take care..........

Answer 5

good. if he punches himself then there could definitly be anything there. I battle with BiPolar. it's unique for everybody like my uncle (who died two weeks in the past from a success and run) he could get suicidal, delusional, and simply simple horrifying my cousin sounds plenty like your brother. besides he will get delusions. like god despatched him to do stuff. now it has gotten to the factor that if he does no longer take his meds-he is going instantly to prison. BiPolar is an overly severe problem. the earlier you seize it-the higher could he be open to seeing a psychiatrist simply as soon as. to look what he thinks. additionally he might take anger managment categories. treatment for anger disorders- I understand temper stablizers support a high-quality deal. and there are a couple of unique excersises he can do if he can consider himself attending to a breaking factor I could try to speak him in to seeing a reputable-even supposing its simply as soon as so that you men will have an concept what you're doing ADD: whoever mentioned BiPolar swings arent that rapid is unsuitable. the faster they're-the extra volatile he'll be. I have visible persons who best have a most important swing a couple of instances a yr. however I additionally understand many persons that have compatibility the identical description as your brother

Answer 6

hello,
you are a good friend to be so concerned about him.
well, i have bipolarism and nothing you described indicates he is too. but he definitely has an issue(s) going on...turning his words around.. silly arguments.. a questionable childhood.
the only suggestion i have is... if you find him in a good mood and can chat with him alone.. ask him what's been up with him lately? what's bothering him? maybe, hopefully, he will open up to you, if not, tell him he may not see it, but that he needs to talk to someone, a good friend, a religious person, school counselor, a sibling, his parents... but someone.
i wish your friend good luck, and you, if you get to chat with him.

Answer 7

i doubt you or any of your friends are qualified to diagnose your friend's condition, if he has any. i also doubt that anyone on yahoo! answers will be able to either. any professional who may answer this question would tell you to encourage your friend to seek professional counseling from a psychiatrist. keep in mind that there may be other major factors contributing to his behavior, such as problems at home. its best to leave this kind of diagnosis to the professionals, as gossiping and speculating may cause his behavior to worsen if he discovers that you and his other friends are talking about him behind his back.

Answer 8

I have a friend who is bi-polar...and it sounds kind of like what is going on with your friend. I really don't know, I'd have to know more...sorry. But it is very cool of you to care, you're a good friend.

Answer 9

OR, and this is really creepy, he might already be taking SSRIs and be manifesting some of their side effects... Go here to read more about these wondrous pills:
http://www.drugawareness.org/Ribbon/SSRIMeds.html