Do you think I have bi-polar disorder /manic depression?

Question

Sometimes I feel sooooo good It's like I'm living the dream and hot as f%^& and nothing matters and I can't stop laughing for at least an hour. Other time (mostly when I'm alone but more frequently now when I'm in public or at school ) I want to cry and cry (so much that sometimes I have to have a cold shower just to calm down) I feel so useless, I feel like I'm a perfectionist who fails at everything and I will never get ne where but fat old ugly and lonely I should just give up now and get what I deserve. I do a lot of other things in my life by extremes but I don't know if it's really bad enough to be manic depression.

Answer 1

Mood Disorders / Affective Disorders
-- Depression, Mania, Bipolar Disorder

The fundamental abnormality of an affective disorder is a disturbance of mood, either depression or mania. Depression is by far the commoner; most patients who have manic symptoms are also prone to depressive episodes but the reverse does not apply. In a few cases depressive and manic symptoms occur simultaneously or in rapid succession (mixed affective state/ bipolar disorder)

CAUSE of Mood Disorders / Affective Disorders -- Depression, Mania, Bipolar Disorder
- Genetic Factors have some role in bipolar disorder.

- Environmental factors like

Loss of mother before age 11
3 or more children under 14 living at home
Lack of confiding relationship
Lack of employment etc
are known to play a significant role in mood disorders.

- Physical Illness - A physical illness can be followed by depression, esp. those like cancer, AIDS, and heart diseases etc which carry serious implications. Also mood changes can occur after infectious mononucleosis or influenza and other viral illness.

Depression or mania could be the presenting feature of cerbrovascular disease, neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinsonism and endocrine diseases such as Cushing's syndrome, Addison's Disease, and hypothyroidism.

Mood changes can also be associated with drug therapy, for eg. corticosteroids, beta-adrenoceptor antagonists and other anti-hypertensive drugs. When mood disorder results directly from physical causes they are known as organc affective disorders.

- Personality - Some depressives have personality characteristics which are thought to predispose to the illness. this involves a negative attitude to oneself, the outside world and the future; the term 'cognitive triad' ha been applied to these attitudes.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION
Depression of mood is the primary symptom. There may be a diurnal variation of mood, depression being most distressing early in the morning or at the end of the day.
Loss of pleasure in life (anhedonia)
Loss of interest in oneself and others
Low self esteem
Self blame
Hopelessness
Suicidal thinking
Feeling of guilt and worthlessness
Sleep disturbance (initial insomnia, early morning wakening or hypersomnia)
Poor concentration
Fatigue
Headache and other pains
Anorexia (loss of appetite)
Weight changes
Constipation
Reduced libido
All these symptoms may not be present in any single person and the level of intensity of symptoms vary from person to person.

Mood Disorders / Affective Disorders -- Depression, Mania, Bipolar Disorder - HOW DIAGNOSIS IS MADE?

The diagnosis is usually done clinically based on the signs and symptoms.

HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT for Depression
Homeopathy offers very good treatment possibilities for depression with good results. There are large number of medicines which can be used and the selection of medicine depends not just on the symptoms but also on the cause. Depression is a manifestation of the disorder and to treat the manifestation it is necessary to find the cause. The success of treatment in such cases often depends on the ability of a homeopath to find the cause. The selection of medicine depends a lot on it. Like all psychological disorders, depressive illness also requires good case study and continuous monitoring by a competent homeopath. One should not try any form of self-medication. In qualified and experienced hands homeopathy offers good prognosis in this condition.

Some of the commonly indicated medicines are anacardium, arsenic-alb, aurum-met, ignatia, acid-phos, pulsatilla, natrum-mur, sepia, antim-crud, naja, nux-vom, stann, psorinum etc. The selection of medicine varies from case to case.

CONVENTIONAL TREATMENT for Depression

Antidepressant drugs, cognitive therapy, and electro convulsive therapy are used.

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO? - ACCESSORY MANAGEMENT

Visit a psychotherapist or join a support group where you can talk about your emotions freely.
Be more open with your family and friends - do not hide your feelings, share them.
Try to remain actively involved in some work/job.
Exercise daily - it not only is good for your body, but also for your mind. Exercise is known to increase the level of many neuro-hormones, which bring a feeling of well-being and happiness.
Eat a well balanced and nutritious diet with ample fluids.
Learn some meditation, yoga, or stress relieving exercises. These help a lot in regaining your control over your emotions.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MANIA
Sense of well being evident as elation or ecstasy
Confidence and self-esteem are high
Grandiose ideas without any substance.
Thoughtless and risky behavior
Delusion of being especially gifted or of being well-connected.
Thoughts come rapidly
Speech is fast
Physical activity is increased
Appetite is initially increased but may be decreased later.
Sleep hours are reduced, but this does not cause fatigue.
Promiscuity may occur.



HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT Mania
Homeopathy offers many medicines which work in such cases. In experienced hands the long term prognosis is good. Some of the medicines commonly used are belladona, stramonium, varatum-alb, hyoscamus, cuprum-met, nux-vomica, tarentula, syphilinum, lachesis, arsenic, cocaine, coffea, platina etc. There are many more medicines and the selection of medicine varies from case to case. The cause and past history of a person play a significant role in the selection of medicine. All such cases require continuous monitoring by an experienced physician.

CONVENTIONAL TREATMENT for Mania

Neuroleptic drugs like haloperidol or a phenothiazine or lithium carb are some of the drugs that are commonly used.

Electro convulsive therapy is given to resistant cases.

BIPOLAR DISORDER
It is a mood disorder in which depression and manic symptoms occur simultaneously or in quick succession. It was previously known as 'Manic Depressive Psychosis'. Each phase of mania and depression may lat for many months.

BIPOLAR DISORDER - SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Read those of depression and mania above:-

HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT for BIPOLAR DISORDER
Homeopathy can help cases with bipolar disorder. Albeit the treatment is more prolonged and difficult than that of unipolar disorder. Most of the medicines used are similar to those used for depression and mania. The treatment usually continues for extended periods as each phase can last for many months. Also there is a tendency of relapse in such patients. But homeopathy does offer a better long term prognosis.
______________________________...

My best advice is you should go and consult a good Homeopathic Practitioner.

Take Care and God Bless you.

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Answer 2

If when you're feeling so hot you don't *need* much sleep (different than not able to sleep) you might have bipolar disorder or cyclothymia (milder version of BD). There are a few other mental disorders that could be it, or you might need to work on coping skills.

Regardless of the might be's, since bipolar disorder is a progressive illness if left unmedicated - meaning it will only get worse - you should see a psychologist or a psychiatrist for evaluation. Seriously, if that is the problem, delaying will only hurt you, and you'll end up seeing a psych later anyway. If it's not bipolar, it could be depression, another thing that would benefit from a psych visit. If it's neither, you still could use some improvement in coping skills, so a therapist would be a good investment.

Take care of yourself. No one else is can do it for you.

Answer 3

Ok, I can totally relate. I have been in your shoes for years. I can go into a cycle where I could clean the house for 2 days straight, staying up all night. Then turn around and not give a crap what the house looks like. I could also talk and talk with friends and interact with people like crazy. Then the next day not want to talk to anyone.
I also had severe panic attacks, and (not knowing) bits of depression. I thought it was normal..it was not. I would be on a natural high..and then crash.
I was treated over 10 years ago for anxiety/depression and OCD. I have been on medication ever since..and I feel GREAT! It takes time obviously to find what will work best for you. It could be meds, therapy, meditation, an activity that releases energy..etc. But I assure you, you can get better!
I would suggest you talk with your family Dr. or find a mental health clinic in your area. Just don't assume you are "crazy"...your not. You just may need to adjust chemicals in your brain...

Good Luck to you!

Answer 4

Over the last five years I had begun to have increasingly withdraw into a downward spiral of depression..

But now with the method I can fully focus my energy and thoughts into a decisive line on how to make my life better constantly. And it works like magic! I'm beginning to attract people to me once again and things have just been looking up since then.

Helping you eliminate depression?

Answer 5

Be careful not to label yourself with bipolar, for depression has many mental and emotional ups and downs.


*Recommended Reading:

"The Mindful Way through Depression"
by: Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn PhD. This Book also comes with a 50 min. CD teaching all the skills and techniques needed.
This Book is Highly recommended by Cognitive Therapists, Psychologists and most Psychiatrists as an excellent means of dealing with depression, stress, worry, and anxiety.

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Answer 6

The doctor will be able to tell you if you have any mental health problems .

Answer 7

I think you're normal. Like me! Deal with it.

Answer 8

yeah i think you have a bi-polar disorder.