What are the symptoms of Bipolar disorder?

Question

I think I may be bipolar but I'm to embarrassed to go see a doctor.

Answer 1

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/print/ency/article/001528.htm
This link gives the symptoms. Unfortunately, the majority of the same symptoms apply to a lot of things.
I personally would avoid psychotherapists and psychotropic drugs. I think it is something that is over-rated and merely a "label" to put on folks who have normal emotions when going through grief, difficulties, relationship crisis, spiritual problems, or a possible chemical hormone imbalance which is a nutritional deficiency.
It is similar and as vague in description just as schizophrenia is. Some of these problems are merely spiritual. Who can tell you what you should think or feel or when and what is normal when they aren't in your body?? You probably know that best and you are feeling that you aren't your normal self. Pay attention to what your body is telling you but then again, they say that you can imagine things if you have it. That alone would be enough to unsettle someone and make them doubt their sanity to be told that what is real to you isn't real to them. Living with an abuser can make one suicidal or have manic depressive symptoms. An abuser will tell you things to mess with your head.
A lady had a nervous breakdown some months after being beaten on honeymoon and finding her husband a few short days later in bed with someone else in their home. I think the human mind and body has ways of coping with stress. I can't say I blame her for breaking down. A body needs time off to grieve losses sometimes and to heal.
The main thing is to have lots of friends around you, exercise, stay healthy, talk to someone about how you feel if you are having suicical thoughts, take supplements to elevate your mood and go to church and try to settle all your relationship differences if possible and let go what you cannot change. Ask your family or closest friends to tell you if you are your normal self or not in their opinion. They know you best. Doctors aren't gods and medicine isn't the cure all. Many people became worse using psychotrophic drugs and either committed suicide or murdered others. So, again, drug companies and psychiatrists are out to sell lots of drugs including to our youth. Be careful and prayerful.
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." Isaiah 26:3
"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." Romans 8:26 Holy Bible KJV

Answer 2

I found this on a web site off of www.ask.com I hope this can be of help to your answer. If you want more info go to:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000926.htm

Then just scrole down a little bit.

The manic phase may last from days to months and include the following symptoms:

Elevated mood
Racing thoughts
Hyperactivity
Increased energy
Lack of self-control
Inflated self-esteem (delusions of grandeur, false beliefs in special abilities)
Over-involvement in activities
Reckless behavior
Spending sprees
Binge eating, drinking, and/or drug use
Sexual promiscuity
Impaired judgment
Tendency to be easily distracted
Little need for sleep
Easily agitated or irritated
Poor temper control
These symptoms of mania are seen with bipolar disorder I. In people with bipolar disorder II, hypomanic episodes involve similar symptoms that are less intense.

The depressed phase of both types of bipolar disorder involves very serious symptoms of major depression:

Persistent sadness
Fatigue or listlessness
Sleep disturbances
Excessive sleepiness
Inability to sleep
Eating disturbances
Loss of appetite and weight loss
Overeating and weight gain
Loss of self-esteem
Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness and/or guilt
Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
Withdrawal from friends
Withdrawal from activities that were once enjoyed
Persistent thoughts of death
There is a high risk of suicide with bipolar disorder. While in either phase, patients may abuse alcohol or other substances, which can worsen the symptoms.

Sometimes there is an overlap between the two phases. Manic and depressive symptoms may occur simultaneously or in quick succession in what is called a mixed state.

Answer 3

first off don't be embarrassed. i am bipolar and the worst thing you can do is not get treated. here are some systoms.
1. racing thoughts
2. uncontrolable and uneccesary spending
3. mood swings(unexpected ups and downs)
4. insomnia
5. chanhe in eating habits
6. depression
7. drug and alcohol use
8. irritability
those are some of the most common symptoms and you need to get a pyschiatric evaluation to be sure that is what 's wrong w/ you and get the proper medications. don't wait until you have an emotional breakdown before you seek help. hope this helped. take care.

Answer 4

People with bipolar disorder often switch from feeling overly happy and joyful (or irritable) to feeling very sad. Between these mood extremes, they may have normal moods. Because of the extreme highs and lows, this condition is sometimes referred to as bipolar depression.

Answer 5

Bipolar disorder is when you cycle between extreme moods. Like being very depressed for a period of weeks or months and then being VERY manic, like behaving irrationally - spending too much money, drinking to excess, sleeping very little. This happens in cycles. Can be cycles of months, days or even hours.

Answer 6

Most people think that it is always about mood swings over a month or longer.
In teenagers and children, this can be over days or even hours.
Do you have family history?
That is a big factor.
There are on line quizes you can take as well as a list of symptoms.
I posted a question about being possibly bi-polar my self. Look at the questions I have asked, and it will under there.
Good luck.