What are the symptoms of bipolarism?

Question

I think I may be bipolar. I take medication for stress but have noticed when I come off of it I get paranoid, emotional, feel like no one likes me and get severely depressed. I've never been diagnosed as bipolar but wonder if I may be? A list of symptoms would be very helpful.

Answer 1

I have a friend who is bipolar.She gets very, very talkative and will call me on the phone time and time again! She go's with very little sleep and she thinks of the same thing over and over. She says things like "I cant walk to Church people will laugh at me for walking!" Her church is one block away!
When she is felling good some times she will go on shopping sprees and cleaning sprees. Again she is very talkative, and can stay awake and not sleeping more than two or three hours a night. When she is depressed she is shut off and won't call. I have asked her if she takes her meds and she says that she is but if this is the case she needs to be on another medication.Or else bipolar may be very hard to treat.

Answer 2

You got some very good answers so I'm not going to go into that but what I will say is that people with bipolar are NOT crazy. Many uneducated people will say and think that, which is a crying shame. Which make me really ticked off. Yes, bipolar is technically a mental illness and when a bipolar is off their meds they do tend to go for lack of a better term a bit mental, however they are not "crazy, crazy". With meds they can lead normal and very successful lives. In fact most bipolars do which is great! Not only that most bipolars have been found to be either very creative, artistic or very smart. Given the right help and the lack of prejudice that mental illness comes who knows just what their contribution can be in the world.

Answer 3

The above info is pretty good. Keep in mind there are two forms of Bipolar disorder- Bipolar I, and Bipolar II. Both forms are noted by fluctuations between mania and depression, However, Bipolar II has much more severe cycles, and lows tend to be much much much lower than in a Bipolar I sufferer. Serrotonin and dopamine levels are actually much lower studied relevent to Bipolar II.
Both forms may develop into what is known as rapid cycle. A rapid cycler is described as a patient who goes through the full manic. depressive stage three or more times a year. It has been my experience, as a counselor, that it happens much ore frequently than that. Some may say there's a complete cycle every day, which may be true, however the considered pattern is sually a few weeks of noted mania followed by a few weeks of being down.
Symptoms of mania include hyepractivity, restlessness, increased verbal activity, insomnia, impulsive behavior (which also includes binge eating, excessive monetary spending, excessive exercising). Depressive states often include loss of appetite, extreme fatigue, which may also include inability to sleep, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activity, weepyness. etc.

There are quite a few pharmeceutical therapies for treatment in Bipolar, the key is to remember that most mental health conditions are TREATABLE not curable. Its about getting back to the business of living. Some sort of cognitive therapy is also advisable in congunction with drug therapy. You mentioned these symptoms arising when yu stop your meds. This also suggests a withdrawal of sorts from the meds you're taking. I would suggest speaking with your PMD about the med you're on and if tis advisable to sporatically discontinue its use.

Hope this helps, and its great that you're looking into your well-being. Good luck!

Answer 4

Bipolar is defined by a manic and depressive state.

The manic state is often accompanied by irratic behavior, minimal sleep. Some people become violent, some people spend all there money, but whatever it is, it is done in excess. I actually knew 2 people with bipolar and oddly enough they both took off all of their clothes and walked down the street. People are usually unaware they are in a manic state, until they stabalize, which usually leaves them in a depressive state.

The depressive state is like any other depressive state.

If you haven't had a manic state, then you are most likely not bipolar. It sounds to me like you have some sort of anxiety or phopia about mental illness, but that is just a geuss. Talk to therapist, they will be able to ease your worries.

Answer 5

Increased energy
Decreased sleep
Little fatigue
An increase in activities
Restlessness
Speech Disruptions
Rapid, pressured speech
Impaired Judgment
Lack of insight
Inappropriate humor
Inappropriate behaviors
Impulsive behaviors
Financial extravagance
Grandiose thinking
Increased or Decreased Sexuality
May include inappropriate or sexual behavior
Changes in Thought Patterns
Distractibility
Creative thinking
Flight of ideas
Disorientation
Disjointed thinking
Racing thoughts
Changes in Mood
Irritability
Excitability
Hostility
Feelings of exhilaration
Changes in Perceptions
Inflated self-esteem
Hallucinations
Delusions
Paranoia
Increased religious activities
These are just some of the symptoms associated with bipolar disorder. If you have any questions please feel free to email me.

Answer 6

Bipolar means Up and Down..usually a type of depression with mood swings, manic-like behavior, difficulty concentrating, poor social skills, periods of feeling very sad, afraid. Bipolar Disorder, depression, Thought Disorders can be diagnosed by a psychiatrist (medical doctor) and are ofter well controlled with medication and/or therapy. Your concern indicates a willingness to obtain knowlege and help. If you cannot afford to see a psychiatrist please call your local mental health agencies for info. You would be very surprised to find out that your problems are shared by many.

Answer 7

multipul personalities. for example one minute ur happy then the next minute ur raging mad