bipolar/some other psychosis?

Question

Lately I've been really worried that something is wrong with me. Some nights I get 3 or 4 hours sleep and am fine, and some I seriously can't drag myself out of bed after 9 or 10. Then I'll have these weird times where I seriously can't stop laughing and everything is amusing. Like, for example, I'll start cracking up if someone says 'sock'. Then about an hour or two later, I'll be so sober and serious and mature. In the serious moods, it is literally impossible to make me laugh. During my happy half of the day, I love everyone that walks this planet, but during my serious half, I don't want to be within a mile of anyone. And these mood swings happen so suddenly... it's starting to worry me. Could it be bipolar or some other mental thing?

PS: my dad is manic depressive... if that makes a difference.

I sort of act out, I guess. I don't go burning things down, but I usually completely disregard how you're supposed to act to persons of authority. I'll be completely sarcastic and blatantly disrespect people. And in my down moods, sometimes I'm just mellow and spacing out (when I space out I'm seriously not even aware of where I am) and sometimes I'm depressed. I'll start comtemplating death (NOT suicide, just what it's like, how that's the end etc.) or think how pointless my life is etc.

Answer 1

Usually there would be some other behaviors, like when you are oversleeping, you would feel really sad. If it goes on for a few days, you would have trouble getting your work/schoolwork done, or even have to stay home. It sounds awfully bipolar to me, rapid-cycling bipolar. You may have a milder form of it, called cyclothymia. Rapid cycling is usually pretty debilitating, at least it was for my brother and myself. Usually, when I am manic I start on big, ambitious projects, or take up a new hobby, or do a lot of shopping or spend huge amounts of time on the internet. sounds like you would be cycling too much for that.

You really need to check with a psychiatrist about it. Are you sure you aren't getting all ramped up and having fun, getting too little sleep, then having to sleep more to make up for it later?

Hope you get checked out. Don't PUSH for a diagnosis of bipolar, it is now getting overdiagnosed, and the drugs are really awful. But if you really do have it, then you will need the drugs. Untreated bipolar is a really bad thing.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Just a little info on the genetic factor...this if from a very in depth research paper I recently wrote on the topic (I am a psych student with strong interest in neurobiology and I have BP)

Bipolar disorder is known to have a strong genetic link, as demonstrated consistently through twin/adoption/familial studies. According to The Mental Health Research Association, if one identical twin has BPD, there is up to a 70% chance that the other will as well. This holds true whether they were raised together or apart. Fraternal twins share the same amount of genetic material as regular siblings do, and their odds are around 20% (well above the 1-2% for the general population). Children of one BP parent have a 15-30% risk of inheriting it; two BP parents raise the risk to 50-75%. The American Psychiatric Association reports up to 90% of people diagnosed with BPD have a biological relative with a mood disorder.

Answer 3

What you briefly described does not meet the criteria for bipolar disorder, however, you are at a higher risk than the general population. That in mind, talk to your dad and mom. Your father can be a wealth of info if you want to know and he wants to open up. Talk about how your moods are working and tell him that you are concerned. Ask if you can see a psychologist who specializes in BD. Explain that aside from some current concerns, you want to know what symptoms to watch for in the future. Btw, I mentioned the pscyhologist over a psychiatrist because pdocs are usually med docs, and it is the psychologists or therapists that actually talk to people. The thing is, if you want this illness identified early (not saying you have BD), it only has real meaning if you also are willing to be med-compliant.

~bipolar, was a moody kid, but BD didn't really present until over 30. I have bipolar relatives, too.

Answer 4

Bipolar always ran in my family and its only recently seem to of gone away completely, well does not effect me any more. This is because I found out I have Aspergers, lots of people with aspergers have bipolar because they grow up not understanding them selves. ',m not saying you have, but usually its a un diagnosed condition thats leads on to getting bipolar. Now I understand and know my true self it has totally changed my life around.

You really do need to find out whats wrong, otherwise things will only get worse, can not deal with what you do not understand. Write down everything you can before visiting a professional, because every little thing can help so much when being diagnosed. You know yourself better than anyone else, so if you want to read up on aspergers go to www.AsPlanet.info web site.. but if you do have no big deal just a different way of seeing and thinking and most people who have it are gifted in some way. Good luck with your search, but really get help because things will not improve on there own.

Answer 5

Generally in bipolar disorder the mood changes happen over weeks or months, not within the period of a day. If you're concerned, though, you should get an appointment with a psychologist to talk this out and determine the most beneficial course of action.

Answer 6

Bipolar and manic depressive are the same...and there is strong evidence that there is a genetic component. I recommend doing some searches on Yahoo. There are a lot of good bipolar websites out there. I also recommend seeing your family doc as soon as possible. He can help to get you pointed in the right direction to help with whatever problem you are having, and it is always possible you have more than one problem. I have FOUR!

Answer 7

Yes, you most definitely could be bipolar.

And mood swings can happen in the course of a day. It's called rapid cycling. (Flip flopping from different moods)

I suggest you see a psychiatrist for a definitve answer and diagnosis. If you are bipolar, don't freak out, you can be treated successfully and live a happy, stable life, without mood swings.

Answer 8

everyone has it all backwards - you are having symptoms because you aren't getting regular sleep. - increase your exercise, you'll sleep better.

it probably has to do with simple things - are you sleeping, how is your nutrition, are you exercising, do you relax before bed?

you probably are not bipolar. If you are aware of when you are doing these thigns then most likely you are not bipolar, if people are telling you that you are doing all these things and you have no idea you've done them. - then yes you are bipolar and get help right away.
that's what makes the difference whether you are aware of what you are doing or not.

Answer 9

Being bi-polar does not mean that you suffer from a psychosis! Being psychotic means that you have lost touch with reality as the rest of us know it. When my sister became psychotic she started to talk to my brother the problem was that my brother had been dead for about 4 years at the time. She insisted that my brother was sitting on her bed and that he was having a conversation with her. She also was talking to the Pope who had also died at the time and even if he hadn't died Rome Italy is a long way from Queens NY. She couldn't have been talking to him. But my sister insisted that both of those people were in her room and that they were sharing lunch and having a great conversation.

Answer 10

manic depressive is the same thing as bipolar disorder. my question is do you act out when your hyped up and when your down are depressed or just in a mellow mood?