A person with bipolar disorder swings between two "mood states": mania (highs) and depression (lows). Episodes of mania and depression can be either mild or severe. If your friend or family member is having a mood episode, one of the scenarios below may sound familiar to you:
Mania
1. "She seems irritable and scattered. She hasn't slept much lately. Her thoughts seem to be racing and she's talking faster than usual."
2. "She's elated and excited, and can't stop talking. She's been sleeping very little, but seems jumpy and agitated. She just ran up her credit card buying things she doesn't really need."
3. "The things she says don't make sense, and even seem delusional. She hasn't slept in a while, either. She's beginning to scare me."
Depression
1. "He's very down lately. He sleeps all the time and doesn't want to see his friends. And he's not taking care of himself anymore. He says he feels hopeless."
2. "He seems really out of it—he can't seem to concentrate on anything or make a decision. His eating habits haven't been healthy, and he has these aches and pains."
3. "He's been drinking a lot, so it's hard to tell how he feels."
The five signs of bipolar disorder
Bipolar depression looks a lot like clinical, or "unipolar," depression. It's important to know the difference, however, because these two illnesses have different treatments. The following experiences tend to point to bipolar disorder:
A depression that happens before age 25—People with bipolar disorder usually go through their first depression in adolescence or the college years, whereas people with unipolar depression usually don't have any symptoms until after age 25.
Symptoms that come on quickly—Bipolar mood shifts happen quickly, within days or weeks. Unipolar depression usually sets in slowly.
A manic episode—If your loved one has never shown manic symptoms, he or she may have unipolar depression, rather than bipolar disorder.
Antidepressant therapy that isn't working—When a person is bipolar, antidepressants often don't work well, work only for a short time, or make the person feel even worse.
A family history of mood disorders or substance abuse—Bipolar disorder is hereditary. People with this condition often have one or more close family members with bipolar disorder, another mood disorder like depression, or a drug or alcohol problem. (Many people with untreated bipolar disorder abuse drugs and alcohol.)
Talking with a doctor
If you believe that a loved one has bipolar disorder, urge them to make an appointment with a doctor. A primary care physician is a good place to start, although you may be referred to a psychiatrist.
If possible, accompany your loved one to this appointment so that you can bring up any symptoms you've noticed (your loved one may not recognize or think to mention them). And be sure to point out any of the five signs of bipolar disorder that apply. These signs can help the doctor make a correct diagnosis—which is essential for effective treatment.
2007-02-14 13:16:02
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answer #1
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answered by msjerge 7
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Hello sisfor. Bipolar disorder is caused by an unbalance in brain neurotrasmiters. The symptoms are characterized by having two stages, a really happy one and a very depressed one. If your mood swings between these two extremes you are bi-polar. However you should go to a psychiatrist for a diagnose and proper treatment. You are not alone there is millions of people in the world suffering from this disease. It is real. The spiritual explanation is that the person has a spirit attached to his aura which causes the depressed stage, when the person rules (not the spirit) he feels really happy. Argentox2@yahoo.com
2007-02-14 12:48:01
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answer #2
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answered by Lisa 4
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a sure sign of bi-polar disorder is extreme mood swings.
A person whom is bi-polar will feel moods to greater extremes than a normal person. For instance, when they are happy, their head is in the clouds, they are hyperactive, and can't stop being happy. When sad, they can be almost suicidal.
Only a psychologist can successfully diagnose bi-polar disorder, and this is after several tests and sessions. If you feel you fit the above description in some manner, seek professional help.
2007-02-14 12:36:09
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answer #3
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answered by royalpainshane 3
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there are medical sites on the net with quizes that help determine bi polar but see a specialist and get on some meds if needed
2007-02-14 12:35:11
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answer #4
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answered by oktobejustme 2
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you ought to have almost each and every of the indicators. meaning you would have the depressive part too (no longer only "mood swings" which someone might want to have); having idea about suicide, fatigue and shortage of skill, lack of vanity, etc, etc. The affliction differs from human being to human being, although that's particularly consistent concerning the important indicators of up's and down's. there is also Bipolar II affliction it is a lot less severe, in which affected human being reaches hypomania, which isn't as severe as an entire on manic area. Hallucinations might want to be led to by technique of a lot of issues, even basically pressure. also, a mixture of pressure and melancholy might want to also make you look to be manic-depressive (bipolar), because it may reason you to be impulsive, on part, and also unhappy. might want to also be schizophrenia, has a lot of similarities to bipolar affliction, yet a lot less of the depressive part, till that's schizo-affective bipolar. So, you may want to doubtlessly have something, I advise it does sound like bipolar, yet you would ought to work out a well being care provider who'd be a more desirable sensible choose. you may want to be over questioning it, or concerning elementary issues on your lifestyles to those severe indicators, case in point you suddenly offered more than a number of outfits sometime, might want to advise bipolar, or it might want to easily advise you're impulsive (or like to purchase.)
2016-11-03 11:42:21
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answer #5
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answered by ? 4
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if these are your symptoms:
• Feeling depressed
• Acting impulsively
• Feeling blocked and scattered
• Having a short attention span
• Feeling suicidal
• Craving sweets and simple carbohydrates
• Feeling tearful, isolated, depressed, and hopeless
• Having low self-esteem
• Having a low tolerance for pain (emotional and physical)
• Feeling emotionally overwhelmed
It's probably your diet. Don't be so quick to label yourself with a "disorder"-- talk to an endocrinologist and a nutritionist. Your brother probably has "it" because y'all eat the same crap!
2007-02-14 12:39:16
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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It can only be diagnosed by a doctor and needs to be treated by one. The manic and depresive episodes become so severe people forget who they are or stay awake for days on end. The only way to know for sure is to go to a doctor.
2007-02-14 12:36:02
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answer #7
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answered by me 4
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If you change your emotions alot and very quickly then you are bi-polar plus your family has it
2007-02-14 12:37:58
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answer #8
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answered by *Fabulous* 2
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I think most females are Bi-polar. (just the average male perspective)
2007-02-14 12:34:40
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answer #9
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answered by Scuba Steve 3
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Go to a psychologist and take the tests for it.
:O)
Jerry
2007-02-14 12:36:31
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answer #10
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answered by Anonymous
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