How do you know if you have Bipolar Disorder?

Question

My boyfriend thinks I am bipolar. I sometimes wonder this myself. He said some of the symptoms for it I have. When I get mad I get violent, and he thinks thats a major sign of the disorder, Im also depressed, and very sensitive.
Can someone tell me how I can find out without going to a doctor?

Answer 1

You need the presence of at least one manic episode.

-Distinct period of abnormally and persisitently elevated, expansive or irritable mood lasting at least 1 week.

-During this period, there a three or more of the following symptoms present to a significant degree
---inflated self-esteem or grandiosity
---decreased need for sleep
---more talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking
---flight of ideas or racing thoughts
---distractibility
---increase in goal-directed activity (often unrealistic, like inventing something crazy)
---excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have high potential for painful consequences (buying sprees, sex, drugs)

-Causes marked impairment in occupational or academic functioning or in unusual social activities with others

Just so you know... these episodes are pretty extreme things. Sometimes people think they can channel the Word of God or that they're Jesus Christ reincarnated. These people talk and talk and talk and talk a mile a minute. They don't slow down, and they feel invincible. Most people who suggest this diagnosis have no friggin clue what they're talking about.

Answer 2

Those are actually not symptoms of Bipolar Disorder at all. Bipolar Disorder is a very serious psychological disorder and people tend to overuse the term Bipolar Disorder. People often accuse others of being Bipolar whenever they have issues, but they don't know what they are. Just because some uneducated person claims you may be Bipolar, doesn't mean you are, and it doesn't mean you should listen to them. Bipolar Disorder is when a person swings back and forth between Mania and Depression, whether over minutes, months, or years. Violent behavior and sensitivity are NOT major signs of Bipolar Disorder, although they could be components. I have never diagnosed someone with BD because they were both violent and sensitive. These are the signs of both Mania and Depression, and keep in mind that you have to have BOTH Mania and Depression. If you have only one, then that is a different diagnosis in itself. DSM-IV criteria states that you must have these symptoms for a week or more, but no reputable psychologist will diagnose you with BD unless you've been having Manic and Depressive episodes for more than six months, at least.

Bipolar Disorder Symptoms

Signs of Mania or a Manic Episode

Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity
Inflated self-importance; in some, delusions or hallucinations.
Euphoric mood
Feeling “high”, excessively optimistic, better than ever before.
Extreme irritability
Feeling irritable or angry; Behavior that is provocative, or intrusive.
Decreased need for sleep
Feeling rested after just a few hours of sleep.
More talkative than usual
Extremely talkative and sociable; pressure to keep talking.
Racing thoughts
Flight of ideas; can't keep up with your own ideas and thoughts.
Distractibility
Inability to concentrate, distracted, restless.
Increase in goal-directed activity or psychomotor agitation
Extremely energetic; increased productivity; a feeling of high intelligence and creativity.
Risky behavior
Excessive involvement in pleasurable or high risk activities, such as sex, drug or alcohol use, gambling, or spending sprees.
Impaired judgment
Reckless, impulsive, unpredictable; No perception that the mood and behaviors are abnormal.

Signs of Depression or a Depressive Episode

Depressed mood
Feeling hopeless, sad, discouraged, or empty.
Loss of interest or pleasure
Inability to experience pleasure. Nothing seems to interest you anymore, including former hobbies, social activities, and sex.
Appetite or weight changes
Significant weight loss or weight gain—a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month.
Sleep changes
Insomnia or oversleeping (also known as hypersomnia).
Psychomotor agitation or retardation
“Keyed up,” unable to sit still, anxious, restless or sluggish, slow speech and body movements, lack of responsiveness.
Fatigue or loss of energy
Physically drained. Even small tasks are exhausting. Can't do things as quickly as you used to.
Self-loathing
Strong feelings of worthlessness or guilt. Harsh criticism of perceived faults and mistakes.
Concentration problems
Inability to focus. Difficulty making decisions. Can’t “think straight.” Memory problems.
As a psychologist, I can say that aggressive or violent behavior doesn't mean you have BIpolar Disorder. If you have these symptoms, however, then you may have BIpolar Disorder, and you need to see a psychologist immediately. If you don't, you still need to recognize that you have a problem with aggression and violence. This behavior is not normal, and it is your psyche's way of telling you that something is wrong. You may have anger management issues, and it is definitely a good idea to see a psychologist in order to sort out these issues yourself. You cannot diagnose and treat yourself, you can just look at the symptoms and see what you may or may not have. Only a psychologist can diagnose you, NOT a general practitioner doctor. GPs are not trained in psychological disorders, and they will often misdiagnose or mistreat you. It's like going to a dentist for a broken ankle. GPs simply haven't been taught the way psychologists have. If you can't afford a psychologist at the moment, seek out local colleges and universities. They offer psychological services for a flat fee of $5 per session. You often see a professor at the college or university, so they're very well-educated and well-experienced.

Good luck, and message me for more information if you'd like!

Answer 3

The answers that you've received based on the DSMIV diagnostic manual on BiPolar Disorder are accurate as far as describing the flags to look for. They are also correct in describing that this is a serious disorder involving extremes of behavior such as grandiose ideations, promiscuity, over spending, to extreme depression and withdrawal. This disorder is treatable with the proper diagnosis and medication to achieve balance of mood.

You don't indicate your age or if your episodes of violence occur with others or only with regards to your boyfriend. If your episodes of anger, depression, and sensitivity only occur in the relationship that you have with your boyfriend, I suggest that you step back and look at the relationship and the triggers for the outbursts. If the relationship doesn't enhance you and bring out the best in you both, then it may be time to move on. If this is a common theme in other relationships with friends or family, then this needs further investigation.

I noticed that your ID is "New Mom" so if you are indeed a 'new mom" the possibility of post-partum depression should also be considered which would affect mood swings and require a professional/medical evaluation.

Violent outbursts are not appropriate or acceptable for any reason and definitely not a way to express your emotion, win friends, influence people or function in society... in fact it can land you in difficulties that can affect the future course of your life. Violence is an unthinking, impulsive, mindless reaction to a situation and you need to learn the skills needed to respond to given situations and a response involves thinking.

However, you need to learn to understand how situations make you feel and learn how to deal with them in a more acceptable way. Find other outlets to channel these emotions.This learning can be helped with the aid of a counselor or therapist who is versed in Anger Management, or Assertiveness.

Answer 4

Anyone who thinks they can diagnose you is lying. This is a very serious condition, and diagnosis is complex. You need to see a doctor.
If you can't afford a doctor, contact your community mental health or crisis center. You can even call your hospital and ask them what mental health resources are out there.
Your boyfriend, by the way, probably doesn't have any idea what he's talking about (unless he's a medical professional). The most common accusation men make about women is that they're crazy (and the most common that women make about men is that they're abusive).
If you think you need to be evaluated, do it right.

Good luck.

Answer 5

See a medical and phyciatric doctor about that. The opinion of someone who can not even be considered a layman in the field is not something to pay heed to.
Go see a professional for that diagnosis.

Answer 6

my moms friend is bipolar. its when you have such severe mood swings for absolutely no reason at all. she locks herself in her room for days on end, and cant even pick her child up from school. but i would suggest seeing a doctor anyway, because you might have depression which normally does not get better on its own.

Answer 7

Here's a simple questionnaire to evaluate for bipolar disorder : http://www.coulditbebipolar.com/mini_c/CouldItBeBipolar/mdq/takeMood.asp

Answer 8

Ihave Pannic atacks anxiety and I used to take medication for depresion .And I diagnostic = bipolar.If you have these symtoms contact you doctor. I am atendding to a center Texas Tropical and if you don't have medicaid doesn't matter find one close to you.

Answer 9

If you vacillate wildly between emotional highs and lows, then you are bi polar. Used to be called manic depressive.
Just getting very mad, doesn't define it. And your violence, work on controlling it!

Answer 10

Ups Ups, downs, down, down.......... You get upset and irritable easily, often expect a lot more, never feel loss of energy and usually avoid sleeping. Too many ideas, too much impulsive behavior, some hyper sexual.

That would be you.