What is bio-polar?

Question

I been having problems and they been telling me that i am depressed and any med. i am on just don't seem to work! And one day i was really ***** and someone said something i just lost it and my aunt turns around and said are you sure that you don't have bio-polar. I not for sure what bio-polar mean! please explain or how do i know that i have it.

Answer 1

Depression:
Feeling sad or blue, or “down in the dumps”
Loss of interest in things the person used to enjoy, including sex
Feeling worthless, hopeless, or guilty
Sleeping too little or too much
Changes in weight or appetite
Feeling tired or having little or no energy
Feeling restless
Problems concentrating or making decisions
Thoughts of death or suicide

Mania:
Increased energy level
Less need for sleep
Racing thoughts or mind jumps around
Easily distracted
More talkative than usual or feeling pressure to keep talking
More self-confident than usual
Focused on getting things done, but often completing little
Risky or unusual activities to the extreme, even if it’s likely bad things will happen

A person with bipolar disorder tends to experience more extreme states of mood than others, which can change quickly or last for months. Mood patterns 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 above-average creativity, high productivity, and self-expression.

Answer 2

For the people who say bio polar is a depression they are wrong! It runs in my family. It is a chemical imbalance. It deepens on how bad you have it. If you have it badly you may show the signs of depression but it is not the same. Depression you are depressed most of the time. The best way to describe Bio polar is horrible mood swings. It can be treated with meds as you said. If you are worried about it the best thing to do is to go the the Dr. and have it checked out. The longer you waite it could get worse.

Answer 3

Bi-polar Disorder (formerly called Manic Depression) is a psychiatric disorder (mood) characterized by EXTREME mood swings cycling (over time) from depression to mania (Depression is one "pole" or extreme end, and Mania the other, hence: Bi-Polar or "two poles")

Having mood swings, or being quick to anger does NOT make you bi-polar. When people with Bi-Polar get depressed, they usually cannot function and often contemplate suicide. When they get manic, they're not merely in a good mood. They lose touch with reality so much that they think they are invincible, they hatch crazy schemes, spend thousands of dollars, even wind up endangering their own lives at times.

What you are describing sounds to me as if you are depressed and have some anger issues... it may be that there is a deeper cause for your depression and that is also giving rise to your angry outbursts. If your meds were prescribed by a "shrink" you should talk to him or her. If they were prescribed by your family doctor, you may want to get a shrink.

I have close family member who is bi-polar and have worked in psychiatric hospital, so I've seen it firsthand. No offense to your Aunt, but if she made that comment lightly it disrespects the many people who must deal with bi-polar disorder... and you.

Answer 4

Bi-polar disorder is a mental health issue which is controlled by medication. You have extreme feelings of high or low moods. You would need to see a psychiatrist to assess you and control any medication you require. Bi-polar is also the new terminology for Manic depressive.
Having said that, you may not have Bi-polar disorder at all, it may be the result of some other problem. Other medical conditions have anxiety as a symptom. eg Grave's disease (hyperthyroidism)

Answer 5

Bi-polar is a illness, when you are happy, you are EXTREMELY happy. Then you are sad you are REALLY sad. When you feel your emotions, you feel the extreme versions of them. Like sadness, nothing could be worse, i want to die, and it all could be over a flat tire! And when your happy, there's no stopping you, your in a state of Ecstasy. When something sets you off, you can snap into a blind rage and not even know what your doing, or who your hurting. Medicine, will help, it will take time to find the right kinds. Always keep your Friends and family around you, they will help you the most. And don't bottle up those emotions, that's when little things Will make you snap. Oh and you have to go to a therapist to be diagnosed with it officially.

Answer 6

I do not know what Bio-polar is. However, I did check out what Bipolar is.

Bipolar disorder, formerly and now less commonly 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. A person with bipolar disorder tends to experience more extreme states of mood than others, which can change quickly or last for months. Mood patterns 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 above-average creativity, high productivity, and self-expression.

(Oh. Not to mention my sister has this as well.)

Answer 7

I believe the term is bi-polar, meaning mood swings from deep depression to extreme agitation and irritability. I'm not an expert on this so don't take it too much to heart, but my understanding is that bipolar disorder represents two different manifestations of what is essentially the same problem; while manic depression represents the alternation of two distinctly different mood states. A psychologist can probably explain it better, as well as being able to give a much better evaluation of your specific situation.

Answer 8

There is SO much to learn on this disorder (it is bipolar, not bio-polar by the way) that there is no way I could write it all here. Also, be careful to listen to people opinions on here on what they say. You need to learn the facts of the disorder....dont trust what everyone on here says....but look at the link I have attached. The American Psychiatric Association is the best way to learn about it because it is trained professionals that know what they are talking about....unlike some people on here.

http://www.healthyminds.org/multimedia/bipolardisorder.pdf

Answer 9

Bio-polar is this problem that some people have its a change of mud's. For example you could be happy then one second later your flipping out on people, mad, stress, and annoyed. For this kind of problem you need to go to the hospital so that they could proscribe you some medicine that will help you be more calm and wont let you flip out on people for Any reason.

Answer 10

How you find out if you are bi-polar is.... you see a therapist and tell that person how you feel. They can tell you if you are truly bi-polar or not, and can help you if you are. It basically means that you are either always very happy, or very unhappy (or mad), but never just ok. If you have lots of days where you are not excited about something, or upset about something, but are just mild mannered and cool, then you are probably not bi-polar.