Bipolar disorder?

Question

I was talking the other day, and I said that one minute i'm ok, but then the next im really down and depressive. But when im ok, im,like, weird, making jokes - and pretty much putting on a show for eveyone. And someone said i could have biplolar disorder, but im not sure. And somehting that worries me is that when im ok, i miss feeling down? Can anyone think of what could be wrong with me, becuase i know its not normal, and i know i need help. What do you reccomend, and if i went to the doctors what would i say?

Answer 1

I would consider it a definite possiblility. Go to a psychiatrist and tell him or her what you've told us, and he or she will be able to help a lot better than we can.

http://groups.myspace.com/Bipolar

You might like to check out that link, it helps me.

BTW, if you get an answer from one of the "acredited psychiatrists" on this site, please ignore them. They are pulling a Tom Cruise and you shouldn't listen to them.

Good luck. Email me if you want to. I want to know how things go for you.

Answer 2

Hello..I am diagnosed with Bi=polar manic depression. I take Carbamazapine to control it. I was in my 30's before it was diagnosed after several periods in hospital.
It not always straight forward for Doctors to diagnose as there are many other things that can cause these symptoms. Be wary of self diagnosis. Its becoming a "trendy" illness perhaps because of the association with high achievers.

it seems clear that so far you have not had a severe manic episode. These are very much more dramatic than feeling weird and making jokes. This does not mean that you may not eventually suffer one of these "unpleasant" episodes.
I use " " because although dramatic and extremely disturbing to those around you, possibly resulting in hospitalisation and physical restraint the high is so very high that it is not possible to describe here.

If you feel you need help then you must go to see your doctor. He might prescribe some tranquilisers but beware that anti-depressants are definately not good for bi-polar...

Try to establish whether there is a distinct pattern of up/down.
It can cycle slowly or rapidly but there are distinct periods. You may be able to plot these.
Take care not to be confused by stress, alcohol, drugs. You dont sat whether you are M/F so periods might be a factor...

There is a growing awareness that there is a link between Bi-polar and Autism. Has anyone ever suggested you might be on the Autistic Spectrum?

Do you have itchy or oversensitive skin?

There are a lot of resources for bi-polars on the web.
To finish..Feeling weird, making jokes, putting on a show is at the very lowest of the range of mania..
Try not to confuse feeling down with depression....

Bi-polars can be straight jacket MAD and so depressed that dont want to live...sometimes on the same day...
Thats not to say you are not bi-polar but from what you describe it would be a very mild form...It might be more appropriate to look for other causes.

In any event Good Luck.

Answer 3

Well, bipolar disorder is just too widespread for me these days. I personally don't think that "normal" is the right classification, cause I pride myself on not being normal to everyone else.
Anyway, if you are putting on a show, then I don't really see what is wrong. Are you happy when you are putting on a show? If so, then nothing is wrong with that. If you miss feeling down, then maybe it is because you like feeling down just because.
However, I feel you should be informed that a doctor will not hesitate to give you bipolar disorder, because it is a very profitable disease.
Maybe the only problem is that you do not trust your own feelings, and another person suggested a problem that you could possibly relate to. Just try to be yourself, and see what happens.

Answer 4

If you're feeling this way I urge you to get psychiatric help. Only a psychologist or psychotherapist can diagnose you. Tell him exactly what you posted, and that should help. Other factors that might help you think of what to say are if you relate to any of the symptoms of bipolar, then you can tell the doctor that as well. I hope this helps and I hope you get the help you need - it can be treated!

Here are the symptoms:

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

Answer 5

Everyone at some time likes to put on a show,being with people who you like and are very out going can bring out the best in us, However for someone to say they miss the lows well i am sorry but there are lows and there are LOW'S and i for one do not want to be there. Now the HIGHS how long have you got!. Really have a good think about the road you are going down, you sound ok to me but, i am not a Doc speak to one first to put your mind at rest. Hope it all works out for you, Take care...

Answer 6

It sounds like you are a very sensitive person. When you are in these good moods is it something someone says or does to make the immediate change to a down mood? If so, to me it sounds like you may need to work on your self esteem. If you try to love yourself these mood swigs will go away. What ever you do, do NOT BELIEVE you have bipolar. If you believe that you have this then you will create it in your life. Dig deep and really listen to your subconscious thoughts. A few questions to ask yourself... What triggers this mood swing? Whose around when you feel this way? Could the mood swing possibly be because you are a very sensitive person? Think about this and DON"T worry about this. YOU can fix this. You just have to believe that you are a good person, you are sane, you deserve the best in life... Just start by telling yourself that you love yourself. If you cannot do this, then there is your answer... You don't love yourself. Read some books on this or when you start feeling down try to turn it around by telling yourself... I deserve to be happy!!! Good Luck!!!

Answer 7

Just tell the doc what you've said on here. But bi-polar isn't just feeling down and then feeling okay. If your bi-polar you feel an irrational happiness too. Your judgement is impaired, kinda like your high on something, usually lasts a coupla days, but can last for more. And usually people suffering from bi-polar miss the highs (mania) not the depression, as it is such an elated feeling.

Answer 8

Do you feel like it's a problem? Bipolar disorder is a severe mood disorder, with extreme highs and lows. I mean REALLY extreme. it would be a shame to get labelled unnecessarily, if you are just an extrovert who gets down sometimes...
HOWE VER, If you do feel like you are not in control of your moods, and that it is a problem, do see your GP (dr) - you can say that you get really bad mood swings and that you don't feel in control of them. Maybe your friends have noticed that it's a problem? Or your spending is out of control? You indulge in highly risky behaviour and have impulse control issues? When you're down you don't look after yourself properly? Have sleep problems? All these are symptoms of Bipolar that, if you had them would be worth mentioning.
Good luck

Answer 9

I have Bipolar disorder and one minute I can be quite high and the next very low but I wouldn't do anything to hurt myself. Sometimes I can't think clearly because it gets in the way of me making good decisions. But talk to your doc as they can help you.

Answer 10

See http://www.mdf.org.uk/? Try Tai Chi, yoga & meditation. Exercise vigorously for 30 - 60 mins daily, eat healthily, & keep occupied. Everyone has times when they are down, but if it goes longer than 2 weeks, it's time to see a doctor, and if your moods change a lot, for no apparent reason (eg: the monthly female cycle would be a reason).