Could I be bipolar or am I just being a drama queen?

Question

Since my mid-teens I've suffered from several lengthy periods of depression (twice cumulating in suicide attempts) interspersed with shorter (usually a few weeks to a couple of months) of really over the top behaviour (particularly sexual). I've been diagnosed and treated for depression in the past, but recently I've been reading about bipolar disorder and started to wonder. I'm aware that bipolar is a "trendy" self-diagnosis these days, and it's seen as somehow much more romantic than just being plain difficult - I can't help feeling like maybe I'm subconciously jumping on the bandwagon and really I just need to pull myself together and stop being such a drama queen. I worry if I go see a doctor they'll tell me to just grow up. How do you tell the difference between a mental disorder and normal mood swings? How should I decide whether it's worth seeking help or not?

Answer 1

What Are the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder?
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/bipolar.cfm#bp1


Signs and symptoms of mania (or a manic episode) include:

* Increased energy, activity, and restlessness
* Excessively "high," overly good, euphoric mood
* Extreme irritability
* Racing thoughts and talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another
* Distractibility, can't concentrate well
* Little sleep needed
* Unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities and powers
* Poor judgment
* Spending sprees
* A lasting period of behavior that is different from usual
* Increased sexual drive
* Abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol, and sleeping medications
* Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behavior
* Denial that anything is wrong

A manic episode is diagnosed if elevated mood occurs with three or more of the other symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for 1 week or longer. If the mood is irritable, four additional symptoms must be present.


Signs and symptoms of depression (or a depressive episode) include:

* Lasting sad, anxious, or empty mood
* Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
* Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
* Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, including sex
* Decreased energy, a feeling of fatigue or of being "slowed down"
* Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
* Restlessness or irritability
* Sleeping too much, or can't sleep
* Change in appetite and/or unintended weight loss or gain
* Chronic pain or other persistent bodily symptoms that are not caused by physical illness or injury
* Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts

A depressive episode is diagnosed if five or more of these symptoms last most of the day, nearly every day, for a period of 2 weeks or longer.

Only a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist can diagnose you with bipolar. If you think that you have it, I urge you to seek professional help and get on the medications you need immediately.

Answer 2

There are different types of bipolar, such as cyclothymia where the mood swings are less severe or a type that has hypomania instead of mania. Basically hypomania is a reduced version of mania - a significant high that isnt bad enough to get hospitalised or start suffering from psychosis.
Its interesting about the person above talking about borderline, thats always a possibility. I think you should go and talk to your Dr. If you geniunely feel that there is something happening inside of yourself you can't control the chances are your not a drama queen.

Answer 3

If you've been treated for depression and you've had no adverse behavioral side effects from the antidepressants, you are not bipolar. Antidepressants alone in bipolars make them go to an upswing. Go to a doctor anyway. They know what to do and they are the only ones who can truly diagnose this.
It's often hard to tell the difference between "normal" mood swings and those related to a mental disorder. There is another disorder in the same family called cyclothymic disorder. In short, it is a mild form of bipolar. Look it up.

Answer 4

The line drawn between "normal" and "abnormal" is arbitrary.

There is no set point when you are all of a sudden Bipolar, except you must have experienced mania at least once. Here are the criteria http://www.fortunecity.com/campus/psychology/781/dsm.htm
Still, as I have said the line is arbitrary (what does marked impairment mean exactly? Losing your job or showing up late to work a few times?). The ultimate diagnosis is a matter of discretion based on an interview and your history.

The key factors are impared functioning/disability. If these moods
swings are severe enough that they are affecting your ability to function, they are putting you at risk, interfering with one or more important areas of your life (such as work or social life), then perhaps you should get some help. Just the fact that you are asking this question implies to me that you are quite affected by this.

There are different degrees of severity of bipolar, ranging from cyclothymia's relatively mild up and downs http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclothymia (depressed for a while, then tons of energy and really happy) to Bipolar 1's psychotic depression and psychotic mania (hallucinations, delusions and all).

I doubt that a doctor would ever tell you to grow up, but If a doctor does then get another doctor who isn't dismissive, and IS constructive.

If you're worried then get it checked out. If you're on anti-depressants and you are Bipolar they may actually be making you worse, and mood stabilizers may be great for you.

If you're just curious, then keep tabs on yourself, and tell your close friends/family, and get them to keep an eye on you too. Ask them to let you know if you are becoming out of control (you may lose sight of it yourself if you are hypomanic/manic) and get them to agree to getting you help if you are.

Answer 5

whilst i'm decrease than no circumstances qualified to even wager at naming your indications, I do propose chatting with somebody. initiate with your time-honored kin scientific expert. He/she would be waiting to refer you to somebody else in the event that they suspect this is referred to as for. so some distance as bipolar illness (I studied this in intensity in psychology)... this is a uncommon case to experience terrible for a week and then happy for a week. many times, the sessions of manic melancholy accompanied via elation tend to final longer... months, no longer weeks. So somebody suffering with a bipolar illness would be depressed for some months and then on cloud 9 for some months. additionally, remember that all of us cope in a different way and all of us show different indications. whilst this guy or woman looks truthfully depressed, the subsequent guy or woman would seem frequent or perhaps happy, while in fact they're much extra depressed. besides, you're no longer being a drama queen, you're no longer dramatic. You do would desire to speak with somebody which could furnish you expert suggestion and education. Please communicate on your well being care expert. it would desire to take a whilst to parent issues out and you may would desire to do somewhat trial and mistake... yet existence would be much less annoying in case you may get your thoughts in verify. stable success! save smiling, pretend it once you will desire to. be valuable to make time to quit... and easily breathe. you will make it with the aid of this.

Answer 6

You don't seem manic so I think you just have depression. In my opinion every one is different and they are trying to find a pill for every one to make us all mentally the same so we all think the same. But there are some situations where you need meds to better function in life. You should see a doc to find out how bad you are and if you need pills. Since you tried to kill your self I'm guessing you might need some pills.

Answer 7

See your GP and tell him/her all that you've told us. A GP will never tell you to 'pull yourself together'. Modern medication for bipolar conditions are very successful. You'll most likely be referred to a psychiatrist for a proper diagnosis. Good luck.

Answer 8

If it bothers you then it is worth seeking help. A doc will not tell you to grow up, he will test you and find out what's going on. good luck.

Answer 9

go to the docs and ask about borderline personality disorder (BPD).
Ive just been diagnosed with it and u sound a lot like me.

Take care xx

Answer 10

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