What is Bipolar disorder?

Question

My mother, and my uncle on my mothers side and his daughter have bipolar disorder, now I'm hearing that I may have it too, but what is bipolar disorder really? I just thought I was depressed.

My mother, and my uncle on my mothers side and his daughter have bipolar disorder, now I'm hearing that I may have it too, but what is bipolar disorder really? I just thought I was depressed.

Also, the doctor has put me on Prozac, is that a safe drug?

Answer 1

If you think that you are bipolar, I urge you to go seek psychiatric evaluation so that you can best be treated.

The description and symptoms of bipolar are as follows:

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. Different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. Bipolar disorder can be treated, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/bipolar.cfm#intro

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

Answer 2

Eh... That is a complicated one. I was once truthfully misdiagnosed Bipolar, however then rediagnosed as BPD. Borderline Personality Disorder is a character ailment, that develops inside your adolescence, relying to your emotional progress- it includes immoderate temper swings, and lots of persona role problems that's largely impacted, and brought on through the humans you engage with. BPD may be a debatable situation- many suppose that Borderline isn't truly. Because this is a moderate, or no longer totally built ailment of MPD- or Multiple Personality Disorder, due to the fact you should not have modify egos.. Many medical professionals suppose those stipulations don't exist. Biploar Disorder is a chemical imbalance, that many suppose develops at beginning- it includes 3 levels- adding a degree level, depressive level, and manic level.. BPD, and Bipolar each have the stigma of getting temper swings- however Bipolar mania is available in levels, as BPD mania is unpredictable, and is found through the legislation, or disorder of your emotional state. However, neither ailments are curable- handiest treatable through cure, and cure. I might suppose BPD signs, in conjunction with Bipolar Disorder- akin to Black, and white pondering. Splitting/ disassociation comes at levels- and lots of immoderate, and impulsive urges, and behaviors are brought on through the way you react emotionally with others. But it is extremely complicated, and intricate to pinpoint 2 intellectual issues that coexist with each and every different, once they each incorporate identical signs. They practically compromise each and every different.. from the opinion of my psychologist, Biploar/ BPD cannot on the whole coexist in combination- and being that Bipolar Disorder is essentially the most regularly misdiagnosed intellectual ailment within the psychiatric subject, it might be incorrectly identified.. Many of the ones with BPD, have a moment intellectual ailment that coexists with being Borderline. Anxiety, and Depression are essentially the most traditional. But Bipolar Disorder is simply as volatile, and unpredictable as BPD. It might even be Depression/ BPD- even be definite to become aware of that Bipolar Disorder involves plenty of signs that mimic, or are very similar to many different intellectual issues, or visa versa. I might get the opinion of a 3rd surgeon. It can take years to effectively diagnose a individual. I am no longer pronouncing it's truly, it might simply be a false impression, or difficult to monitor down, and fully grasp. Good good fortune..