Does someone with bipolar know s/he is bipolar?

Question

This is strange: I left my husband b/c I saw him as emotionally abusive. He tried for custody of our newborn son. I got an eval. which said I had characteristics of bipolar. My husband says I've always been the abusive one and we will stay separated until I'm treated. He believes the abuse was all me and he was just reacting. I don't think I'm bipolar b/c I don't think I've experienced mania...the result on axis I of the MMPI said bipolar-moderate, but the report only said "characteristics of". Is it possible I was manic without ever knowing? Can you have a manic episode and not know? Any advice will help, and please don't be mean...I've been through enough.

Answer 1

My friend had been through the same type situation in her past relationships and ex jokingly told her that he thought she was really bipolar to diagnos it properly they told her she had to be through an evaluation. I found out that there are many different types of bipolar disorder. Her's actually just turned out to be depression. So it's best to really talk to a professional to find out for sure. I do have two other friends that have been diagnosed as being bipolar and they have both had manic episodes and they knew that they did.

Answer 2

Yes, not only can you have a form of bipolar disorder (BPD) without being aware of it, but psychiatrists often misdiagnose BPD as depression. I was first diagnosed with major chronic depression when I was in high school. I am now 45. It wasn't until earlier this year that my diagnosis changed to Bipolar II. Bipolar II is sometimes hard to differentiate from depression since someone with Bipolar II spends much more time in depressive rather than manic states. Also, by definition, someone with BiPolar II doesn't have esisodes of full-fledged mania. They experience hypomania (the symptoms are the same as mania but less severe). The way my doctor realized I actually had Bipolar II, not depression, was that I experienced a week where I slept very little but still had lots of energy, was happy (very unusual - I'm generally depressed), people who know me kept telling me I was talking fast and more than usual, I was more impulsive than usual (I bought a pair of shoes for $500 - I'm not a big shopper and never would have done this in my normal state.)

People generally don't develop BPD in their forties. Usually it shows up when people are in their 20s. I started doing research on BPD and realized that I had always had it, but just never recognized it. The major reason why I didn't recognize it was that I never knew that hypomania could be experienced as an irritable mood rather than a euphoric one. Other things also confirmed that I had always been bipolar: (e.g., antidepressants frequently worked for a while and then stopped, my first episode of major depression occurred when I was very young (junior high school), there had been other periods where I felt like I had a lot of energy even though I wasn's sleeping much.

There's nothing to be embarassed about if you are Bipolar. I would recommend talking to a psychiatrist and/or therapist and seeing whether they agree that you have BPD. And, if it is making you unhappy they can describe your treatment options.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

People with bipolar often do not know or choose not to acknowledge it, You can experience Manic without knowing it yes as the manic phase is when you are a totally different person, you re behavior has devastating effects on others but you love it up there and do not want to come down, but inevitably what goes up must come down.
There are Bipolar 1 , 2, and 3. and also other issues associated with mild Bipolar. Stephen Fry has the milder version but he chooses not to medicate as he likes the highs so much that he can deal with the lows. It is a very varied mental health issue very different for each person.
Wether you think youre Bipolar or not go get a second opinion to be sure, this is youre future happiness and with meds it can be controlled very well..This is also the life of your new born son we are talking about.
One point to note that if your ex is fighting for custody he may be just trying to use this to get custody so its very very important you get a correct diagnosis and a good quality report with all the facts.

Answer 4

Yes it is possible you were without realizing it because these characteristics would be normal to you but totally off to someone on the outside observing. But whether you knew or didn't is besides the point. Right now you need to get the counseling and medication that can pull you through this. Don't let all the blame fall on you just because you have been diagnosed it doesn't mean he was the picture perfect husband.If he was emotionally abusive no matter that he was reacting he needs help with that too. He has no right to be pointing the finger at you like that. In treatment I would discuss this with your counselor for the sake of your baby.

Answer 5

Yes it is possible, a manic episode by an unknowing bipolar person can be construed as anything from 'giddy' to a sugar high. It is typically symptomatic when you have uncontrollable mischievous or funny mood when the scenario/environment is not appreciative of it, or you feel as if you're 'running hot'; this is a feeling where you feel as if you can't sit still and are still running a million miles a minute even when forcing yourself to sit still. Another symptom of bipolar is those who enjoy their moods. A bipolar person will revel in their depression and love their manic moments.
These are not concrete cases of bipolar, as everyone is different, but examples of situations that have been.

It is also possible that you are not full bipolar, but cyclothymic, which as described here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclothymia
is a milder form of bipolar where you have more gradual, but still noticeable mood swings.
Psychologists vary in belief systems, so it is not uncommon that if you do not agree, to get a second opinion.

Answer 6

Well many people go through the same thing when dealing with a problem, Denial is the first of these. Could you have it and not realize it, Absolutely. Start writing down in a journal anytime your mood changes (write down the time and how bad your mood changes and what its affects are) if you go back a day or so later and read it and you realize that one minute your happy and the next you are angry and throwing things (just an example) then you might just need to go get checked at a doctor.

Answer 7

it is not uncommon dear, often people go thru their entire lives without knowing they have a bipolar disorder because it doesn't interfere with their life. And as long as it hasn't interfered with yours, it isn't an issue. Now, however, obviously it has. Suggest that you consult a psychiatrist on your own, or you will have nothing to counter your hubby's accusations, and get treatment.

Answer 8

I'm guessing it could be a part of your personality, and it makes it difficult for you to look at yourself and your actions from someone elses point of view. If you do some thinking, some hard serious look at yourself from someone elses point of view and judge the things you do as if you're watching someone else, I think you should be able to see it- should it be there.