I have mood problems. Help!?

Question

I acted like I was happy for years, but in the past year I've gotten really screwed up. I get randomly sad or frustrated, and little things set me off (when I'm not PMSing). It got a lot worse last week when one of my friends said he "can't deal with me" and that I "act bipolar when I'm not PMSing." Since then, I can't eat, I avoid my friends, I constantly feel bad, I don't want to do anything, and I just hate everything and most everyone. I have frequent urges to punch random strangers (or friends) and to kick things. People try to comfort me, but I just run away or tell them I don't want to talk about it.

Some of my friends aren't taking my feelings seriously, because I have a reputation for being moody. It seems that, for people who call themselves my friends, they don't like me very much (they complain about things I do a lot).

Something that really disturbs me is that I'm alienating my friends and I barely even care.

(My family has a history of depression.)

I go to a therapist because I have issues with my Dad, and the next time I see her is a week from now... I tried my school counselor, who's great, but she had already left. I'm just not sure I can last a week.

Answer 1

One thing I've learned from years of struggling with depression is that I alienate those I love when I am at my lowest. Why? Well, depression as Oprah says is hurt, anger, sadness turned inward instead of outward. When we hold onto these things, it affects us emotionally to the point it can cause chemical imbalances in the brain. Once you are in this state you need medication to turn it around. Medication alone will not help you though, you need to get to a good therapist that you can talk to about how you feel. Journaling helps to. Just get the negative emotions out and take care of yourself well. Eating health, getting enough sleep, and excercise is important to get yourself balanced. Life is tough, no doubt about it, and it just sounds as if maybe you were not taught effective coping skills when you were younger, so you are internalizing your pain inward instead of dealing with it and letting it go. I wish you the best of luck. True friends will stand by your side if you are honest and explain to them that you are having a very hard time right now. You have the right to feel disappointed if they don't support you, but dont hang onto that disappointment because you can't control and change anyone but yourself. Focus on you. Do whats best for you. You may be bi-polar and are used to living with chaos and drama which follow bi polar people, don't be ashamed of this, it is a chemical imbalance and you can't fix it by yourself. so, go see a doctor, get a therapist appointment, let your friends know how tough times are for you right now and eat healthy, rest and excercise and try to keep a normal routine for doing all these things. Good luck and God bless.

Answer 2

Try taking St. John's Wort,... it's herbal. (causes no side effects)
I guess you are not taking anything right now, because your moodiness seems to be ongoing. You can get St. John's Wort at regular stores over-the-counter. (read and follow instructions... and notice that it has to be taken with every meal like a vitamin supplement and starts working after about two weeks) You can get it in three different strengths... start with the lowest.... but do go for the stronger one, if you notice no difference.... I think this is a good alternative to prescription ones, if you haven't been on any, yet. If this doesn't help you at all, definitely consider seeing a professional soon, because alienating people is a symptom of depression.... among others that you have mentioned.

Answer 3

Everything you described sound consistent with a major Depressive Episode. Being "moody" alone does not warrant a Bipolar diagnosis, but you really need to see a therapist and get a face to face assessment and evaluation. Both conditions are extremely treatable. The following is an excerpt from a previous post of mine which describes Bipolar and the criteria for a Major Depressive Episode which occurs in a Bipolar Disorder, however it is also the criteria for Major Depression (duration needing to be 2 weeks). There needs to be both depressive episodes and manic episodes in order to conclude a Bipolar Disorder is present and your post seems to indicate that what you described has been on-going for a long time which may simply indicate Major Depression. There is a tendency to assume that "moodiness" and irritability suggests a Bipolar Disorder, however both are correlated with other illnesses. The following is for your information only and is not meant to suggest either diagnosis (Major Depression or Bipolar Disorder), as a thorough evaluation and history of the symptoms is needed and warranted to establish a diagnosis and treatment. Please seek an evaluation with a counselor first.

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.

If you suspect someone is Bipolar take them to a psychiatrist for evaluation. Primary MD's are not qualified to diagnose or treat the condition and it is often misdiagnosed, especially in children as the symptoms look different and the cycling tends to be more rapid.

Answer 4

I would talk to a therapist. I act like that and I am bipolar. Someone suggest taking St.Johns wort. If you are bipolar, St. Johns wort will just make it worse , so go see someone.

Answer 5

my story starts at 10 before (PMS) then i was happy or thought i was for a few years. by 18 i crashed and started going to DR. self help groups trying medication ... so turn out good and i am still here at 54 tell you parents you need to see a DR. even if it is your general practishner. if you can't talk to your parents talk to your school nurse good luck but please talk with somone Other than so called friends.