I dont understand really what bipolar disorder is can you please explain is lt like mood changes constantly?

Question

and also if someones on a high what makes them crash back down to lows again? And can this reall ruin your quality of life? Because of the mood swings?

Answer 1

Crashing is inevitable. If we could stay manic all the time and not get locked up we would. Imagine how you felt on the best day you ever had - multiply it by 4 or 8, and you'll have a slight idea of what it feels like to be manic.

As far as ruining life because of mood swings, I used to drive my Mom crazy. Luckily I moved out. She could not stand it - one minute I'm bouncing off a wall, and the next minute I can barely move.

I actually demoted myself in my last job because of bipolar . I was in a position where I had to schedule lots of meetings and talk to a lot of people. I was also well respected and very looked up to. My image mattered a lot - which meant my mood had to be enthusiastic and positive. I finally had to stop because I never knew how I was going to feel 'next week' or in an hour or in 5 minutes. Yep, it's a life ruiner - especially if you don't get help over the years - generally, leads to drugs/alcohol/and/or/suicide...........Yay!

Answer 2

In a bipolar person, their mood isn't changing constantly, but when it happens it's extreme. There are cases where people go from euphoric to depressed and back again within a few hours, but it's not common. Most bipolar people cycle within months or years. Nothing necessarily triggers the lows, or the highs for that matter, it's just a chemical imbalance in the brain. If a bipolar person is not medicated their lives can be highly affected. In a high state they can become very irrational and impulsive and ruin relationships, spend far more money than they have, start a bunch of projects they never finish, never sleep and many other things. The depressions can be just a debilitating.

Answer 3

Bipolar is actually a pretty vague disorder when it comes to putting straight defined terms to it. I'll tell you what I do know, and hopefully it helps you some.

My mother is what her doctor calls one of the most serverly bipolar. She can't work because of it, and because it tends to be hereditary, I've been kept under watch since I was very young. It is hard to see the beginning signs of this disorder because the doctors don't really seem to know what the early signs are. (Especially adding in you figure the beginning stages are in the teenage years, and teenagers are moody anyway.) I finally am considered bipolar, and the reasonings are based on:
Mainly, my emotions are over-powering. This causes me to swap moods constantly and strongly. Mood swings aren't as spontanious as people think. You irritate someone, they get snappy. Same thing happens to me, but I'm not just snappy, I'm completely enraged.
Basicly, it's extreme emotions and being overly emotional.
As for ruining the quality of life, I can't say that it has. I'm a bit of an artist, I write, paint, and draw. All of that is inspired from my emotions.
Anyway, I hope that rambling helps some.

Answer 4

Ok, things are different with the person that you are dealing with. It seems crazy at times. They are very frustrating and unaware of what they are doing to the person that they are taking it out on emotionally. I live with one. It runs in his family, but he denies it simply because he can't be wrong. They are always right when they are in their "mode". Just keep your mouth shut and learn. LISTEN!!!! Many things can be learned. They are the best people to be around when they are not manic. There are 3 different kinds of cycles that take place with bipolar.

#1: Happy beyond redemption.
#2: Normal (quirks, and the such) You know what I mean when I say this.
#3: VERY tempermental!!. Like a light swich, Turn ON, turn OFF.

It's horrible for about 2 weeks of the month. It may not last that long, but it sure stinks while you are going through it.

What you see, is the good, not the negative. They are good people with good hearts and a WHOLE lot of baggage from what they always attribute to their childhood.

It can and will ruin people's quality of life. Just about ruined my mmarriage, except I recognized it, since I am an ex-RN. They can be the most horrible person you know when they cycle. Cycles take place 3x's a month from what I listed about. Been around it clinically and in my marriage.

More advise, relist a question, no doubt I will probably answer. Work the next 2 days. Sometimes on, sometimes off.

Best wishes from one who knows

Answer 5

Bipolar Disorder is a Mood disorder. It is characterized by periods of mania (very elated, overly happy, excitable, loves everyone) and periods of depression. The periods of depression will usually last 3 times as long as the mania. Crashing back to the depressive state can occur because of a stimulus or just because of altering chemical amounts in the brain (simply put: it can happen by itself or something can make it happen) Many people still lead full lives with this disorder, there are also mood-regulating drugs on the market available.

Answer 6

"Bipolar disorder, once known as manic-depression, is a psychiatric diagnosis referring to a mental health condition defined by periods of extreme, often inappropriate, and sometimes unpredictable mood states"

"Signs and symptoms of the depressive phase of bipolar disorder include (but in no way are limited to): persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, guilt, anger, isolation and/or hopelessness, disturbances in sleep and appetite, fatigue and loss of interest in usually enjoyed activities, problems concentrating, loneliness, self-loathing, apathy or indifference, depersonalization, loss of interest in sexual activity, shyness or social anxiety, irritability, chronic pain (with or without a known cause), lack of motivation, and morbid/suicidal ideation"

If these paragraphs describe your experience your family doctor should be able to help you. The oldest and one of the best (not to mention the cheapest) medication for bipolar is Elavil. Discuss this with your doctor. Elavil (Amitriptyline) is on the Wallmart $5 list.

Answer 7

There is a great website called WebMD and it gives you a wealth of knowledge. I would suggest that you go to it and read about bipolar disorders. Being bipolar and not being treated properly can certainly ruin your quality of life and those of everyone around you.

Answer 8

it's defined by periods of extreme often inappropriate and somtimes unpredictable mood states genarally however a person with bipolar disorder tends to experience more extreme states of mood than other people. I hope this explained some of it.

Answer 9

Not necessarily constantly, you could be manic or depressed for months, and change overnight, or it could be hours. There is no specific reason, and many suicides result. See: http://www.mentalhealth.com/book/p40-ma01.html