Is there a way to find out if someone is "bipolar" without going to the doctor?

Question

I know if someone has extreme moodswings from 1 sec to another that this could be bipolar. I talked with a few people who are on medication for it. Our kids believe that my husband is bipolar and when I suggested, to get him checked out by a Doctor he became angry for just believing that he might be.

Answer 1

Actually, someone that has extreme mood swings from one second to the next is probably *not* Bipolar, unless they are rapid cycling. It is more likely that your husband is irritable because he's unhappy, depressed, anxious, or something else.

Anyway, no... only a psychiatrist and/or psychologist can diagnose a mental disorder.

You might just try talking to your husband (a few days from now) and saying that you've noticed that he doesn't seem happy and asking him if he has any ideas about what is bothering him.

Good luck.

In response to TAT, it's fairly obvious that when you say that your husband's moods swing from "one second to the next," that you don't mean that literally. Furthermore, although some rapid cyclers "cycle" over a course of a few months, some people do experience ultradian cycling which means several cycles within a day. Either way, it's hopefully clear that all along, I was suggesting to you that something other than Bipolar Disorder is probably going on here.

Answer 2

He would need to see a doctor for an official diagnosis. Bipolar isn't characterized by someone with very quick mood swings. More than likely he's either depressed or suffering from anxiety which causes him to sometimes be nice one moment and then snip at someone the next. Bi-polar people cycle where they'll spend a period in mania - non-stop activity that can go on 24 hours a day for days, weeks or months at a time and then go through a period of depression which can also go on for days, weeks or months at a time then pick back up. He could be really stressed out about something - usually money and lack of family time is what most people are stressed about. Perhaps that's the place to start.

Answer 3

This is a tricky one. Extreme mood swings could be a sign of several disorders; it doesn't necessarily mean your husband is bi polar.

The only person who can make this diagnosis is a psychiatrist. And if your husband is refusing to go, then you need to find a way around this. One thing you could do is to speak to your family doctor and ask for advice. You could also find a support group for the partners of manic depressives(bi polars) but again, your husband might not have this!

Other signs of bi polar disease are:

alternating patches of terrible depression, and extreme happiness/excitability.

During the 'high' phase, the person will believe they are invincible, and often they will make elaborate plans. They may speak more quickly, and become agitated and angry very easily.

During the 'low' phase, severe depression will hit.

You really need some good medical advice; speak to your doctor and keep a close eye on your husband.

Answer 4

Even if you could...why would you?

Bipolar is a serious illness that requires lifelong treatments and medicines. Only a psychiatrist who has examined your husband should be giving him these medicines.

A person close in my life, not a doctor of any sort, "diagnosed" me with depression and took me to a doctor and explained that. I was given the wrong medicines, took them, and the results were diasterous. I ended up hurting myself really badly during that time period.

However...in relation as well to your story, I also could not bring myself to go to a doctor right away. Citing "stress and anxiety" I began seeing a therapist. She talked me through my problems, and though it took a while, she convinced me to go see a doctor, and also taught me some very helpful coping strategies for dealing with mood swings.

If you can't get him to see a doctor, ask him to talk to someone. Tell him its for the sake of your family and your children. If he becomes dangerous in anyway (to himself, to you, to your children), call 911 and tell them. This is obviously a worst case scenario - your husband would probably never be dangerous in anyway, but people can be very hurtful and very dangerous in the midst of a psychiatric illness.

Just try and get him somewhere where he can at least start getting help. Be patient, and supportive. Things will take a while to change, things may take years to be completly normal again.

Answer 5

Bipolar is a cycle of highs and lows. The highs will last for a certain period of time, usually weeks or even months, followed by a period of lows that can last the same time as the highs. If your husband is "high" one minute and "low" the next, he doesn't necessarily have bipolar disorder. He may be stressed out or depressed, or even just plain moody. It's up to him to discuss it with his doctor.

Answer 6

my husband has it - when first suggested he got angry - true
symptom - i went to doc as when husband in normal mood
got him to do bi polar tests on line - took three days to persuade - the results were what i thought. if you get him to doctor go with him as doc says they often lie and come over normal - i kept a diary. also get the children to do it. he will
feel he is being picked on -back off a bit until he is in normal
state - contact doctor immediately if suicidal or showing other
dangerous symptom. there is no test - but therapy and drugs.
we have another appt this friday to see how he has been without any help - we are living apart because he just kept running off - yesterday he was fine spent day with him - for the last 6 hours he has texted and called me and said on way
but not arrived - so we need more help.

Answer 7

Bi-polar people do not tend to have mood swings that change that quickly. Teenagers do but not bi-polar people. He may have anger problems or stress problems and maybe even depression but flying off the handle on a whim is not the criteria for bi-polar. There is a screening at psychcentral.com he can take but again the mood changes are too sudden.

The psychologist who has already answered needs to consult her DSM-IV. Rapidly cycling does not refer to sudden changes like the ones being described.

Answer 8

No. Only doctors can make a correct diagnosis.

If you believe he is a danger to himself---OR to you and your children, then you can make him get help. He would be placed into a mental health facility for 72 hours. If at that time they believe he is still a danger, they can hold him longer. But a doctor MUST make the diagnosis.

Answer 9

Sorry, Tony. Mexican medical doctors charge people for treatment. DWoB would not. at the same time as Mexican NGOs commence providing charity and overseas help no longer observing for pay in go back, _then_ we will communicate about genuine comparisons. Why would you even post something like that? that's a blatantly faux evaluation.

Answer 10

Nope, it's NEVER good to self diagnose. Besides, what good would that do? You still need to see a doc to get meds. Just make him go, it's for the best.