Am I Going Through Bi-Polar?

Question

I am 18, and mentally 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. 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. My question is this: my friends have been telling me that each day I am showing different personalities, forgetting things, acting really mean one day, like a child the next day, like I hate them one day, like I like them the next. They've wondered if I'm drugs, which I'm not.

I have felt relatively normal lately, but now I feel like I'm going back into something which I can't explain. Where I'm becoming indecisive and just much more moody and back and forth. I also can't stop pacing the floors, which is a habit Why is this coming back? Is this bi-polar? Your help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

From what you've described it sounds to me like you are not bipolar, but suffer from a personality disorder... Borderline Personality Disorder.

While a person with depression or bipolar disorder typically endures the same mood for weeks, a person with Borderline Personality Disorder may experience intense bouts of anger, depression, and anxiety that may last only hours, or at most a day. These may be associated with episodes of impulsive aggression, self-injury, and drug or alcohol abuse. Distortions in cognition and sense of self can lead to frequent changes in long-term goals, career plans, jobs, friendships, gender identity, and values. Sometimes people with BPD view themselves as fundamentally bad, or unworthy. They may feel unfairly misunderstood or mistreated, bored, empty, and have little idea who they are. Such symptoms are most acute when people with BPD feel isolated and lacking in social support, and may result in frantic efforts to avoid being alone.

People with BPD often have highly unstable patterns of social relationships. While they can develop intense but stormy attachments, their attitudes towards family, friends, and loved ones may suddenly shift from idealization (great admiration and love) to devaluation (intense anger and dislike). Thus, they may form an immediate attachment and idealize the other person, but when a slight separation or conflict occurs, they switch unexpectedly to the other extreme and angrily accuse the other person of not caring for them at all. Even with family members, individuals with BPD are highly sensitive to rejection, reacting with anger and distress to such mild separations as a vacation, a business trip, or a sudden change in plans. These fears of abandonment seem to be related to difficulties feeling emotionally connected to important persons when they are physically absent, leaving the individual with BPD feeling lost and perhaps worthless. Suicide threats and attempts may occur along with anger at perceived abandonment and disappointments.

People with BPD exhibit other impulsive behaviors, such as excessive spending, binge eating and risky sex. BPD often occurs together with other psychiatric problems, particularly bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, and other personality disorders.

Answer 2

Oh yeah you can. Moods can change in the matter of a second. It took me years to talk to a shrink about this type of manic mood swings you would be surprised how many "normal" people are Bi polar and just learn to deal with these constant ups and downs. Find a Dr and talk is all ya need to do. I personally know that the anti convalescent "yup its used for bi polar is lamactil. its good to get the moods stable and not go up and down 500 times a day! Good luck if you have any questions feel free to e-mail me I would gladly answer any Q's ya got!

Answer 3

If at any time your feeling suicidal you need to see a psychiatrist right away. It sounds like you should anyway.You may very well have bi-polar, given your age and symptoms. Keep a diary of your moods throughout the day to give to the psychiatrist, you can also go to bipolar.com (for more info) to do a printable checklist and tell the psychiatrist everything you've been feeling. You might want to write it down first like you've done here. The important thing is to get medical help RIGHT AWAY.

Answer 4

You really need to go to a mental health service and ask for an 'evaluation' ... you may well be 'bi-polar' but there are many other 'diagnoses' that fit your 'explanation' here ... and you do NEED TO DO THIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE ...

If you don't know 'where' to find a 'mental health service' then go to your 'county hospital' emergency room and sign in there and simply 'tell the triage nurse' that you are 'afraid you are having extreme mental health issues' and that you 'need to see a professional who can set up an evaluation.'

Turn off your computer and GO. NOW!

Answer 5

First of all, I want to tell Reddie that manic/depressive IS bipolar, its just the old name for it.
I am bipolar and was diagnosed in my 40's. I think you should go to your medical doctor and explain all you've said here and let the doctor make a diagnosis. Don't worry. If you are, its better to find out now than to go thru all the trauma and sadness any longer.
And, if he/she suggests seeing a physcologist, go. If meds are prescribed, take them as recommended, not just when you feel like it. Too many people make the mistake of thinking they are 'all better' and stop taking their meds.

Answer 6

It cold be BiPolar disorder, or any number of other mental illness'. Alot of mental illness have many of the same symptoms. You need to see a doctor right away and get evaluated. Check out some mental illness websites and forums. There is alot of information out there.Check out two links I have listed below.......

Answer 7

You sound bi-polar, i have a sister who is bi-polar and she has all those symtoms and plus. She had to go see a doctor to comfirm that she was indeed bi-polar. They put her on medication. Her are some of the medication you can get: Lexapro, Seraquyl and there is more. They help curve the symtoms and they help with the bad days.

Answer 8

Sounds like your a manic depressant instead of bipolar, I am bipolar and my mood swings are in a rage of anger for no reason. Then I become nice then again angry.

Answer 9

you need to go to a mental hospital, it sounds mean to say but seriously, you may do things you will end up regretting, to me it seems you are in a depression and depression like anything else can deteriate your health.