Showing Signs Of Bi-Polar?

Question

I am 18, and mentally, for years, I have felt lost in my head, lethargic, sometimes moody, insecure, and my moods go back and forth throughout the day, talk to myself, socially isolated from the world, pretend I am other people for self-confidence, etc. One minute my mood's pretty good, next minute, something might trigger me and I might be suicidal or feel so worthless and want to die, etc. It seems I wake up so often fatigued throughout most of the day, lethargic, and then late at night, I gain ton of energy, pace the floors, feeling creative and I can't sleep and am up all night, full of ideas... then suddenly I get exhausted and feel mentally drained. Lately, for some months, my moods were more further apart where I went periods of being relatively normal - where at least they were much farther apart - but now it's been coming back more and more frequently and where the moods change daily. Just today I was feeling down and suicidal and wanting to die after some incidents happened.

then once things got better, suddenly, I'm fine and calm. Then when things get slightly bad again, I'm sad, I want to die again, then back and forth. Generally, I am very sensitive to things, but, finally, after going back and forth mentally, I'm just so exhausted, I crash. Sometimes I can feel both fatigued and energized at the same time, if it makes sense. I'm a musician, self-taught, and it's about the only thing I can do well. Sometimes I just feel I have no control of my mind. Do I show signs of bi-polar? Any help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

You need to talk to a licensed psychologist to answer all your questions, but here are the basics, as given by the National Institute Of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/nimhhome/index.cfm

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

Bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood swings—from overly "high" and/or irritable to sad and hopeless, and then back again, often with periods of normal mood in between. Severe changes in energy and behavior go along with these changes in mood. The periods of highs and lows are called episodes of mania and depression.


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.

How Is Bipolar Disorder Treated?
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/bipolar.cfm#bp6

A strategy that combines medication and psychosocial treatment is optimal for managing the disorder over time.

Medications known as "mood stabilizers" usually are prescribed to help control bipolar disorder. Several different types of mood stabilizers are available. In general, people with bipolar disorder continue treatment with mood stabilizers for extended periods of time (years). Other medications are added when necessary, typically for shorter periods, to treat episodes of mania or depression that break through despite the mood stabilizer.

* Lithium, the first mood-stabilizing medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of mania, is often very effective in controlling mania and preventing the recurrence of both manic and depressive episodes.
* Anticonvulsant medications, such as valproate (Depakote®) or carbamazepine (Tegretol®), also can have mood-stabilizing effects and may be especially useful for difficult-to-treat bipolar episodes. Valproate was FDA-approved in 1995 for treatment of mania.
* Newer anticonvulsant medications, including lamotrigine (Lamictal®), gabapentin (Neurontin®), and topiramate (Topamax®), are being studied to determine how well they work in stabilizing mood cycles.
* Anticonvulsant medications may be combined with lithium, or with each other, for maximum effect.
* Atypical antipsychotic medications, including clozapine (Clozaril®), olanzapine (Zyprexa®), risperidone (Risperdal®), quetiapine (Seroquel®), and ziprasidone (Geodon®), are being studied as possible treatments for bipolar disorder. Evidence suggests clozapine may be helpful as a mood stabilizer for people who do not respond to lithium or anticonvulsants.16 Other research has supported the efficacy of olanzapine for acute mania, an indication that has recently received FDA approval.17 Olanzapine may also help relieve psychotic depression.18
* If insomnia is a problem, a high-potency benzodiazepine medication such as clonazepam (Klonopin®) or lorazepam (Ativan®) may be helpful to promote better sleep. However, since these medications may be habit-forming, they are best prescribed on a short-term basis. Other types of sedative medications, such as zolpidem (Ambien®), are sometimes used instead.
* Changes to the treatment plan may be needed at various times during the course of bipolar disorder to manage the illness most effectively. A psychiatrist should guide any changes in type or dose of medication.
* Be sure to tell the psychiatrist about all other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, or natural supplements you may be taking. This is important because certain medications and supplements taken together may cause adverse reactions.
* To reduce the chance of relapse or of developing a new episode, it is important to stick to the treatment plan. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about the medications.

Answer 2

The symptoms you describe can definitely be bipolar, as a matter of fact if you are having ups and downs everyday for awhile and then depressed or manic (up all night) you could be what they now call is rapid cycling bipolar. You also describe paranoia/phobia of being around people-do not allow that to continue or you'll end up agoraphobic (home all the time) Also your behavior fits the diagnosis of agitated depression. You need to seriously see a Psychiatrist, check at a mental health center, if you don't have money they may let you in for free. Tell them you have suicidal thoughts. You can, after getting the diagnosis call Social Security and fill out forms to get disability. You will probably be denied the first time but get a lawyer that does disability claims, they will get it for you and they take a portion of your back pay. Get online and check this out, now.

Answer 3

I know it is painful for you and don,t like for you to suffer in this way. Please take all these kind caring people,s suggestion .I know you will get relief because the right medication will level you out a lot, Mood meds are great and antidepressiants help too. Go to a good mental health doctor and councelor.

Answer 4

yes you do show signs of bi-polar....i am bi-polar and i know...but you need to go to a doctor and have them put you on some medicine to stabalize you...there is no shame in this even though some people think there is...a bi-polar person has there high times and then their low times...it is really a good idea to see a doctor for this...get help while you can....and suicide is no answer...there is nothing really that bad that you need to kill yourself over...i have done this too....you just need some medicine and some counseling to adjust to your mental problems..

Answer 5

Please go see a doctor ! You don't have to suffer needlessly !
Don't wait until you are so down that suicide seems like the only way out. Go get help now !
My nephew had the same problems, and he is soooooo much better since he is on medication.
Good Luck.

Answer 6

my best friend has bi-polar depression, and he is sometimes hard to deal with... the best advice i can give u is talk to ur doctor... they have places that do studies on bi-polar, u should look into doing that... if u are feeling suicidal, i would go talk to a doctor about being put on anti-depressants... this is something u should not ignore...

Answer 7

Yeah, you're a teenager, get over yourself attention whore. Every teen at some point or another feels that way, almost to a tee. Hell I know grown *** people that feel that way. You're fine, hell I guess the good news is, you're normal.

Answer 8

you sound like a classic case...see a doctor because it's so treatable.