i started my menses at age 9, i have three chidren, i have endometriosis STAGE III, i have rages at times, no times in particular, i lose my train of thought quite often, i have depression at times but never had it before my fiance got killed, and i am on one antidepressant.
2007-06-15 19:45:16 · 6 answers · asked by tracy 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Only a Dr. could answer this. You can go to your OB/GYN and they can check your hormone levels to see if they are at "normal" levels. S/he will be able to tell by ALL of your symptoms (physical and mental) and get a good idea if this is having to do anything with your moods. Speak with your current Dr. and ask questions in regards to how you are feeling. If you do not feel comfortable with your diagnosis there is nothing wrong with getting a second opinion from another Psychiatrist. I am terribly sorry about your fiance'. I do hope you are feeling better soon~
2007-06-15 20:00:43 · answer #1 · answered by Hopeful 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well age would be a starting point. You don't say how old you are. The average age that women start menopause is 45.
Several years before your monthly cycle stops completely and you actually enter the stage of menopause, you'll have irregular periods (perimenopausal stage).
Contrary to popular belief, psychiatrists and therapists don't just pull disorders out of hat. There is a complex guideline used to make a diagnosis. You are free to question it of course, but if you meet a certain number of criteria for the disorder, then you have it.
Absolutely no offense, but you kind of sound "all over the place" and really unsure of what's going on in your life. I recommend you ask your doctor for the MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality test). Not everyone agrees with it but I've found it to be a more useful tool at making a diagnosis.
Just talking to someone isn't usually enough. Testing asks more questions and asks repeated questions to make sure there's an understanding of how you truly feel.
For more information about mental illness:
http://www.nami.org
2007-06-15 23:52:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the doctor said it is bipolar then it most likely is or some similar mental condition. If you had someone dear killed in a bad way then maybe you could have PTSD. So, tell your doctor if you have not already. That could account for anger and thought problems. Some people with bipolar spend alot of money but not always. I am starting menopause and I am doing better with my depression. Everyone is different. If you think your doctor is wrong, see a second doctor.
2007-06-15 20:21:56 · answer #3 · answered by Heart of man 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was misdiagnosed with bipolar. The doctors or therapist really have so little to go on because they are not with you in your normal course of life. Bipolar is characterized as extreme highs and lows in personality. Most people have the highs and lows, but what is considered "extreme"? I actually went to a mental health center and talked to about 3 different people that actually had bipolar. They explained what their life was like. It was really an eye opener for me. I knew then I did not have bipolar.
2007-06-15 21:33:47 · answer #4 · answered by 3344hunt 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get the blood work done for ruling out menopause. You can also visit www.about.com and look for the online tests for bipolar.
In any case, sorry for what you are going through. There are alternative (holistic) treatment options in addition to mainstream medical management. If you need advice in that area, you are welcome to mail me.
2007-06-15 20:10:58 · answer #5 · answered by Swamy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you will know by the conversations you have with your doctor.
2007-06-15 19:54:53 · answer #6 · answered by KitKat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋