Ok I think I have bipolar disorder. My friends (One of them has bipolar disorder) have been sending me links to information about the disorder. I have been unable to sleep without a sleeping pill or forcing myself since Christmas Day. I do not want to become dependent on sleeping pills. I have every sign and symptom of Bipolar disorder except suicidal thoughts. I also have family history of the disorder. I'm scared to tell my mom because she lashed out at me last time I tried and my dad isn't around. I also have no health insurance to see a doctor. Is there any way I can visit a doctor?
2007-12-29 14:04:47 · 3 answers · asked by Cecilia 2 in Health ➔ Mental Health
sounds like it.
go to a free clinic and express your concerns, they can help you from there.
2007-12-29 16:49:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
S-l-o-w down there.
Something you may not realize is that 1st year medical students, reading the signs and symptoms of diseases, commonly believe they have each one of the diseases they study!
Just because you read it doesn't mean you have it.
Even fully healthy people have some of the symptoms some of the time. Lets say there were 15 symptoms on the list. Of those 15 symptoms you would need to have , say 12 of the symptoms to qualify for that diagnosis. Do yourself a BIG FAVOR -- don't self-diagnose. You'll only lose sleep over it.
Even if you do have some of the symptoms, wait until they are "hanging out" and causing big problems in your life. Then see a Dr. Call Mental Health for your area. See what's available to you. There may be help available through the counseling department on your campus, or at a free clinic.
Lay off the sleeping pills now. Go out and get enough exercise to wear yourself out, then lay down under a blanket and read (about some other subject) until you fall asleep.
2007-12-29 14:46:50 · answer #2 · answered by Hope 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you are in college check to see if there's a health clinic. If you are over 18 but low income check your county health services. They have programs.
The thing about not sleeping is not *needing* sleep and not being tired running on only a few hours of sleep for days. Difficulty falling asleep and insomnia aren't really it. Periods of significant depression obviously go with the illness, too. Hope your wrong, but if you're not, getting treatment early is your best bet.
~bipolar
2007-12-29 14:19:59 · answer #3 · answered by Alex62 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋