How do you know if your bipolar?

Answer 1

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.

When four or more episodes of illness occur within a 12-month period, a person is said to have rapid-cycling bipolar disorder. Some people experience multiple episodes within a single week, or even within a single day. Rapid cycling tends to develop later in the course of illness and is more common among women than among men.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/bipolar.cfm#bp1

Answer 2

Depressive disorders like bipolar make one feel exhausted, worthless, helpless, and hopeless. These feelings become overwhelming and take up most of your life. You begin to isolate and withdraw from friends and family. Your hygiene may change as well as keeping your house clean.

Bipolar illness is when you feel highs and lows, some extreme and some normal. Some bipolar people are rapid cyclers which means they have extremem highs and lows and they happen fast. Others cycle a bit slower than that. The lows feel very low and the highs feel like you are on something.

Such negative thoughts and feelings make some people feel like giving up. It is important to realize that these negative views are part of the depression and typically do not accurately reflect the actual circumstances. Negative thinking fades as treatment begins to take effect.

If any of these signs and symptoms have taken over your life and is interfering with your quality of life then you need to see a doctor. Because all of this can go away with the right help. Whether that help is therapy or medication.

The patients that I work with that have bipolar are doing well because most take medication. Especialy for the highs and lows, there is a medication like lithium that helps make the highs and lows not so high and not so low. The then anti depressents are there to help with the depression. I have a friend who has been on both meds for fourteen years and has been stable this whole time.

Answer 3

Do you go through extreme mood swings? Everyone feels happy or sad/mad sometimes, but do your feelings vary violently from day to day, or even hour to hour?

There are a lot of people being treated for 'bipolar disorder' that are actually just whiny idiots. However, there are some people that due to chemical imbalances or other mental problems are not fully in control of their emotions, and require medication, combined with psychiatric care to help them cope.

If you think you (or someone you know) might be bipolar, refer them (or have someone refer you) to a good doctor that can diagnose what the problem is. A lot of people who go from happy to depressed easily just need to alter their lifestyle, get exercise, change their diet, or learn to focus on the things that are important in life.

Answer 4

they evaluate you the doctors but I'm not bipolar

Answer 5

My psychiatrist told me. Years of meds for depression and anxiety from family doc weren't cutting it so I finally went to see a pshrink.

Answer 6

Use the DSM IV criteria. Attached link.

Go to a psychiatrist regardless of what you find out. There is a lot of good help out there.

Answer 7

You go to a psychologist and they evaluate you.