bipolar disorder?

Question

people think i have bipolar disorder, but im not exactly sure what it is. dont call me crazy, im just afraid of the doctors office, and im not sure if i believe them, i just want to know what this disorder is.

Answer 1

bipolar d/o has nothing to do with sudden mood shifts. depressed moods can last as many as three months or longer followed by periods of extremely active and excited moods. someone with bipolar d/o often feels like nothing can stop them during a manic phase. sleeplessness is also common w/o the physical need for sleep. bipolar d/o is also associated with a high rate of illegal drug use.

oh, it is also very treatable though not curable....yet

Answer 2

Bipolar disorder, often referred to as manic-depression in the general literature, is a psychiatric condition defined by periods of extreme mood. These moods can occur on a spectrum ranging from debilitating depression to unbridled mania. Individuals suffering a bipolar disorder generally experience fluid states of mania, hypomania or what is referred to as a mixed states in concert with clinical depression.

If youre a young woman, hormones can often be mistaken for bipolar disorder. It is normal with hormone flucation to feel normal and another minute feel depressed, or want to cry.

However, if you have periods of depression, alternating with periods where you have very elevated mood, have less need for sleep, or dont sleep at all, have racing thoughts, low attention span, etc., you could have bipolar disorder.

If youre unsure at all, or if the symptoms youre having are disrupting your daily life, see a doctor for a formal diagnosis and possible treatment.

See my source below for more information.

-Registered Nurse

Answer 3

Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder. A bipolar person will have episodes of mania (full of energy, spontaneous, feeling like you are on top of the world), episodes of depression (sad, no energy, loneliness, etc..). Everyone experiences both of these but a bipolar person can jump from mania to depression in a matter of hours, minutes, seconds. It is almost like having a spit personality. Only a qualified mental health physician, or medical doctor can diagnose you with this disorder.

Answer 4

Bipolar disorder(also known as manic depression) is a treatable illness and can affect a person's ability to experience a normal range of mood. It is marked by extreme changes in mood, thought, energy and behavior. It is not a character flaw or a sign of personal weakness.

Bipolar disorder is also known as manic depression because a person’s mood can alternate between the "poles" - mania (highs) and depression (lows). This change in mood or "mood swing" can last for hours, days, weeks or months. Every time you experience symptoms at one pole for at least 1 week, it is called an episode. Experiencing 4 or more episodes of mania and/or depression in a year is called rapid-cycling bipolar disorder.

Types of Bipolar Disorder:
*Bipolar I disorder is characterized by one or more manic episodes or mixed episodes (symptoms of both a mania and a depression occurring nearly every day for at least 1 week) and one or more major depressive episodes. Bipolar I disorder is the most severe form of the illness marked by extreme manic episodes.

*Bipolar II disorder is characterized by one or more depressive episodes accompanied by at least one hypomanic episode. Hypomanic episodes have symptoms similar to manic episodes but are less severe, but must be clearly different from a person’s non-depressed mood. For some, hypomanic episodes are not severe enough to cause notable problems in social activities or work. However, for others, they can be troublesome.

*Cyclothymic disorder is characterized by chronic fluctuating moods involving periods of hypomania and depression. The periods of both depressive and hypomanic symptoms are shorter, less severe, and do not occur with regularity as experienced with bipolar II or I. However, these mood swings can impair social interactions and work. Many, but not all, people with cyclothymia develop a more severe form of bipolar illness.

*Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified
When the bipolar disorder is not characterized by any of the above mentioned types of bipolar disorder.1 The experiences of bipolar disorder vary from person to person. Occasionally someone will experience the symptoms of a manic episode and a major depressive episode, but not fit into the above mentioned types of bipolar disorder. This is known as Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. Just like the other types of bipolar disorder, Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified is a treatable disorder.

Hope this helps! The site I found this information from is really really good. Good luck!

Answer 5

i deal with a lot of people with bi- poler disorder, there is nothing to be afraid of. the statistic shows that a person with bi-poler disorder are not in the category of mental retardation. just the opposite they are very smart, there are a lot of young and old people with \bi-poler if you want you could give an example on what makes you feel that you have this disorder, maybe i will be able to tell you if i saw it in my experience. But for now: i advice you, dont listen what people say, they are not the professionals. don't be scared go to a doctor, he will be able to diagnose if you have bi-poler or not. , and if you do have bi-poler, he will prescribe you the right medication and you will feel alot better. don't forget, taking meds for this, does not put you in the category of mental retardation. there is a saying that the state could put meds in the water which we all drink, for the so many people who are taking the meds. be strong and i hope you will get trough it.

Answer 6

both of my kids have bipolar disorder. it is a disorder where you have anger and rage outbreaks, and also can be very depressed at times. it is not bad when controlled. you can see a doctor and get meds or you can find activities to help calm yourself down. you are not crazy just have a little embalance. good luck!

Answer 7

bipolar disorder is a disorder where you have sudden and extreme mood swings for example you are suddenly very happy then you become very sad all of a sudden. if you think you have it go to a doctor he can prescribe medicine to control these mood swings.

Answer 8

you are happy and then you are sad ==and both of them are to the extremes=so go get the pills from the Dr and you will feel a lot better

Answer 9

Bi polar- depression, different kinds of mood.

Answer 10

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipolar_disorder