Bipolar disorder?

Question

I suspect I could be Bipolar, but it seems like a lot of people say they have the disorder quite casually. Like they don't really mean it or they're just looking for something to call themselves. It also seems like I could just be moody. I'm a 15 year old girl. Even so, I'm always either ecstatic or depressed. There's never an inbetween. Never a state of simple being. Though I'm rarely angry, which I believe is a symptom of being Bipolar. Also, I believe my father has it. I'm pretty sure it can be hereditary.

Answer 1

A lot of people experience the phenomenon of always feeling themselves to be either 'ecstatic or depressed', as you describe. Usually, this is a function of normal psychology that just causes a person to notice what is exceptional and not what is mundane. In other words, some of these people actually experience a lot of different moods, but only pay attention to their mood when it happens to be extreme.

An important distinction that is often missed when talking about people with bipolar disorder is that the phases are not usually short term in the way most of us would think about it. In fact, a bipolar person is described a 'rapid cycling' if their mood changes as much as four times PER YEAR. So even rapidly changing bipolar people usually are in one state or another for months at a time.

Likewise, when talking about mania and depression, most people don't grasp what it's like to be REALLY manic and depressed. A manic person is usually convinced that absolutely nothing can possibly go wrong... their biggest problem is having TOO many ideas and too much energy. Conversely, a really depressed person often lacks the energy or interest to be concerned with much of anything. Which is what makes being bipolar somewhat insidious - either you're convinced that you're just fine or else you don't care if you're not and don't believe that anyone can help anyway.

The fact that you're worried about being bipolar at all, therefore, is a suggestion that you're not. You are also a teenager and (no offense) therefore prone to a bit of moodiness (particularly depression) in any case. I'm not saying that you're absolutely not bipolar, now, but as you yourself point out, it's nowhere near as common as people who believe they are.

It is unfortunately difficult to diagnose this disorder even among professionals. My advice to you would be to get in the habit of taking a journal. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. Just write down how you feel each day. With that kind of a log as evidence, it may be easier to get a better look at how you're doing overall, both for yourself and for any experts who you may get involved with in the future.

Hope that helps! ( :

Answer 2

I have to say that this sounds like the typical feelings that most 15 year old girls have. (not to belittle your problems but this is just what it comes off as, I don't really know you I'm saying this based only upon what you've written)
There are a lot of physiological changes that you go through during teen years. This in one of the reasons that most psychiatrists will not diagnose teens as bipolar. But there have been a few circumstances where such is the case. So if you truly believe you fall into this category you should see an MD who will refer you to the mental health department. Also,read up on it thoroughly from reputable sources. It sounds like you are diagnosing yourself with something that you don't really know too much about.

Answer 3

First tell your parents your concerns. Then go to your family doctor and they can refer you to the proper health care worker. A lot of doctors shy away from diagnosing and medicating teenagers (as they should) without extensive testing. Much of what you describe also comes with being a teenager, but it can be passed on genetically. Biggest thing, talk to you parents about it!

Answer 4

Many women consider themselves to have it because women are just women... and we're crazy and we PMS a lot. Wait until your older and see what happens... just keep yourself occupied with a good enviroment and things you enjoy. Also.. your right many people say their bipolar but very few of them are... at a young age like yourself its difficult for doctors to detect the disorder anyways.

Answer 5

it could be hereditary but at the same time you could just be a normal 15 year old girl. you could also just be manic depressive which from my understanding is that you high highs or low lows either way you should see a psychiatrist and get it taken care of. good luck and i hope you feel better, dont be a victim of yourself trust me i was that way im now working on bettering myself too its harder when you live thinking as a victim be positive and push yourself to feel better. HOPE YOU FEEL BETTER!!! ;-)

Answer 6

It sounds like you might be. Ask your doctor to refer you to someone to be examined. There are qualities that they check for when they're interviewing you. By the way, it IS hereditary.

Answer 7

If you are concerned, go to your family doctor and tell them your symptoms.They can refer to a mental health professional.

Answer 8

well...
ive heard of a set of questions you can answere in front of the docter to detemrin if you bipolar.

Answer 9

the best way to tell if you are coffee will make go to sleep or slow you way down
there a saying i us
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---THERE IS ...ME
-------..I
-------MY SELF
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---AND THE GUY WHO LOOK LIKE ME
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and the that look like me he is the biggest asshole you have ever seen i dont like him and no one like him at all thank god i have a good wife that understand it going off for no reason just getting mad no reason over little thing