Is this all connected to my disorder? Or is it something else?

Question

I'm bipolar (cyclothymic) and lately I've felt stranger than normal.
The past 3 days I've been HIGHLY manic. As in, random insane laughter. I haven't felt truly blissful, it seems, all month. I thirst for time locked inside my own head, secluded from the rest of the world. Adolescents make me sick. Even some of my friends are beginning to make me sick. I feel very short-tempered, like everyone's just... frustrates me. Nobody else really notices, but I feel it building up inside, like a balloon that just can't stretch any larger. I'm finding it hard to differentiate between dream and reality. Oh, and I've developed an odd twitch right below the right side of my collarbone (most likely unrelated, just thought I'd toss it in).

I've never quite experienced these sorts of feelings. I've always been mellow, optimistic, outgoing, and level-headed. What's going on?

I don't take medication, so please don't recommend it. My mother doesn't believe in western medication; please don't judge her methods and principles. I use natural chinese herbs.

Answer 1

Steve,

I have been bi-polar my entire life, as well as my father. You CANNOT live a normal life without medication. It is not possible, if you are having symptoms like this.

Bi-Polar disorder is a disease. Would you take a pill for Cancer? Then why not for a mental disease.

People like you and me are wired differently. We need the medication to supplement what our body doesn't and should produce on its own. Which is usually seratonin.

The symptoms you are describing could push you towards hurting yourself or someone else. Please contact a local mental health care facility and get their advice. I would hate for you to become another statistic.

Answer 2

Have you ever seen a doctor? If not, how do you know if you are bipolar?

If you refuse to take medication, then you refuse to get better. It's your choice.

I would love not have to take my medication. But since I want to be able to work and pay my bills, that's what I do.

I took St. John's Wort for a month, it just gave me a stomach ache. It's back to conventional medication for me.

My brother has Bipolar Disorder, he didn't like taking medication either. Then his wife said "tell the a doctor how you're acting or I'm outta here." Now he takes Lithium and his behavior has improved.

Answer 3

Steve,

You may not want to take meds , but sometimes that is the only course left for us to do,being bipolar myself ,you sound allot like I use to.I felt like a time bomb, any time I could explode.Now with the help of medication,and prayer,I have more of a normal life.I wish you the best of luck.

Answer 4

I would suggest that you consult with a dr.
I have never heard of ANYONE controlling bi-polar with herbs, but even if you are refusing meds, a dr. is the only way that I know of to deal with your symptoms. Perhaps you can find a dr. that leans in the direction that your mom and you are.

Answer 5

you're saying you're cyclothymic which shows you're bipolar II and not bipolar I. people who're bipolar II have hypomanic states. they are much less intense. What you're describing is an entire blown manic episode. whilst i'm comprehensive on manic i'm very irritable, and as time strikes on it gets further and extra intense. confident, i'm 'up' even nonetheless that's infrequently any relaxing. oftentimes it ends badly for me and those around me. to no longer say that's what occurs to anybody. you're able to desire to talk on your Dr. ASAP! that's substantial your Dr. is conscious relating to the twitch besides. If she/he has a manner which you will gain them now (or as quickly to now as you may get) make the main of it. This qualifies as an emergency seeing as you have under no circumstances had an episode like this. Please touch me if i can help.