Could i be bipolar?

Question

For the past few months since January, i have been have mood swings. Ill be extremely happy and then ill get really sad in one day. Usually someone snaps me out of the depression. It might be the stress, but im not sure. When im staying home with nothing to do, i get really depressed. Ill cry like crazy and have a tantrum like a little kid. An hour later ill be completely fine. The littlest things that don't go as planned can set me off. My parent think it could be a hormone inbalance, but Could i be bipolar?

Ive usually do get depressed sometimes. There was a time when i got irratited at my parents easily. And in 4th grade, i had a serious depression period-mostly cause of my teacher, who stressed me out.

But id been fine pretty much for a while, until my cat died. I cried for a few days, and it seemed like i got better. Before i first got my cat, i was pretty depressed. ANd now that my cat left, my inner demons came out again.

Answer 1

In truth, it sounds more like Major Depression to me as I don't really see anything here that warrants a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder, but I qualify that by saying there is no reasonable diagnosis that can be made without a diagnostic interview. I would suggest that if there is any reason to suspect there could be a medical issue that you first see your medical doc to rule that out, but I don't have enough info to even ascertain whether that may be a factor.
I will say this: many folks who are predisposed to depression can be triggered into a more severe episode by major losses, like the loss of your cat who clearly meant the world to you, and you indicate some history of previous episodes. People rush to assume Bipolar because there are "mood swings", but the disorder has a lot of other symptoms associated with it and mood swings alone are common to many things. Irritability is also correlated with depression. Please consider seeing a therapist for a more thorough evaluation and recommendations, but for your reference I will post a description of Bipolar Disorder and it's forms which also includes criteria for a Major Depressive Episode which characterizes depression alone. I also want to add that the fact that you do not feel continuously depressed and that your symptoms improve at times when you are occupied or in the company of others does not preclude diagnosis of depression, and in fact is actually a very good prognostic sign suggesting that you would respond very well to treatment.

Bipolar Disorder comes in 2 forms, Bipolar I and Bipolar II. Bipolar I is the type most people think of where someone experiences shifts between depression, mania and/or mixed episodes. Bipola II is most like recurrent major depressive episodes interspersed with hypomanic episodes (which do not reach the level of a mania). The following is a general description of some of the criteria for depression and mania, but you should not attempt diagnosis yourself. You can check the exact criteria in a DSM IV and a thorough history needs to be taken for accurate diagnosis and assessment.
Criteria for Depression are five of the following during a 2 week period:
1) depressed mood more days than not, can be just irritable in adolescents and children and frequently men show more irritability
2) decreased or increased appetite accompanied by weight gain or loss
3) hypersomnia or insomnia
4) recurrent thoughts of death or dying, suicidal ideation
5) observable psychomotor retardation or agitation
5) anhedonia (loss of interest in previous pleasurable activities)
6) subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down
7) Difficulty concentrating and/or making decisions
Criteria for a Mania:
1) Decreased need for sleep without feeling tired despite only several hours per night or no sleep
2) Pressured speech that is difficult to interrupt(talking very rapidly and loudly with pressure to keep talking)
3) Flight of Ideas or "racing thoughts"
4) Increased energy
5) Engaging in a flurry of goal-directed activity-either impulsive behavior that has a high potential for damaging consequences-spending money, reckless driving, sexual promiscuity, etc. or excessively overproductive with respect to work
6) a consistently elevated or "high" mood or a consistently irritable mood
7) grandiose delusions-seeing oneself as more important or powerful than they truly are but in delusional proportions, not simply inflated self-esteem

Bipolar II is similar but the manic symtoms are less severe and rarely warrant hospitalization as they do not reach psychotic levels.

Additionally there is a condition called cyclothymia where a person cycles between hypomania and dysthymia (milder depression).

The condition most often has a genetic component and often there are first degree relatives with the disorder. there is also a higher prevalence of other mood disorders and eating disorders and alcoholism among relatives.

Answer 2

I wish people wouldn't lump all the unpleasant feelings that teenagers have under hormone imbalances. Yes, it's difficult for everybody to grow up, but it shouldn't be causing you this much misery. See if you can get your mom to make you an appointment with a psychiatrist. I say that because only psychiatrists can order psycho-pharmaceuticals and monitor them correctly. They will then usually refer you to a psychologist for counseling. It helps to have a professional to talk to.

My daughter was depressed and our family doctor prescribed Lexapro. After two doses she became extremely manic, complete with auditory hallucinations, delusions, paranoia and a five day stretch without any sleep. She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and spent a month in the hospital getting the right medications to get her straightened out.

Your feelings are not something to be taken lightly, and you need answers before the problem gets further out of hand. More and more teenagers are being diagnosed with bipolar disorder now, and it's a serious disease. Get help and good luck.

Answer 3

bi-polar is usually periods of ups and downs that are irregular. Like it could be 3 days you are down in the dumps, won't get out of bed or just sit around the house all day and don't wanna go no where, socialize with anyone, and so forth. then it might be 3 days you're up and wanna do everything, go everywhere, talk to everybody. It's actually pretty irratic. It's possible that your mood swings are very short, but it could be something else, like maybe just depression, or normal mood changes, your best bet is to see a psychologist who can give you an MMPI and speak to you about your condition to give you a proper diagnosis.

Answer 4

There are a number of possibilities. If you are a guy, it is possible that you are suffering too much stress or are manic depressive (that's the PC term for bipolar). If you are a gal, on top of the above, you could have Premenstral Dysphoric Disorder (my cousin suffers with it). Either way, you have to go to see your GP. He will be able to make a proper diagnosis and help with treatment or referal.

Answer 5

Try WebMD or go to a Mental Health Professional They can help either way

Answer 6

It could be a lot of different things. You need to see a therapist. A therapist will help you to sort through everything and will be able to determine what your diagnosis is.

Answer 7

Are you male /female how old are u ? These are a few things one has to know before one can seriously answer your question. If you worried about this go speak to you dr.

Answer 8

Sounds Bipolar to me, but you really need to see a doctor to help you with these issues

Answer 9

http://bipolar.about.com/cs/bpbasics/a/0210_whatisbp.htm

you should check out that link, it gives alot of information about the disorder and typical characteristics. it would probably be a good idea to go see a psychologist.

Answer 10

Sounds like you need someone to put you in your place. Perhaps you are lonely