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Are you bi polar? Think you might be? Look here !
- Jan 13, 2010 at 9:43 PM
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Do you think you may be bi polar?? read this and check out some of the symptoms...
What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?
People with bipolar disorder experience unusually intense emotional states that occur in distinct periods called "mood episodes." An overly joyful or overexcited state is called a manic episode, and an extremely sad or hopeless state is called a depressive episode. Sometimes, a mood episode includes symptoms of both mania and depression. This is called a mixed state. People with bipolar disorder also may be explosive and irritable during a mood episode.
Extreme changes in energy, activity, sleep, and behavior go along with these changes in mood. It is possible for someone with bipolar disorder to experience a long-lasting period of unstable moods rather than discrete episodes of depression or mania.
A person may be having an episode of bipolar disorder if he or she has a number of manic or depressive symptoms for most of the day, nearly every day, for at least one or two weeks. Sometimes symptoms are so severe that the person cannot function normally at work, school, or home.
Symptoms of bipolar disorder are described below.
| Symptoms of mania or a manic episode include: | Symptoms of depression or a depressive episode include: |
|---|---|
Mood Changes
| Mood Changes
|
In addition to mania and depression, bipolar disorder can cause a range of moods, as shown on the scale.
One side of the scale includes severe depression, moderate depression, and mild low mood. Moderate depression may cause less extreme symptoms, and mild low mood is called dysthymia when it is chronic or long-term. In the middle of the scale is normal or balanced mood.
At the other end of the scale are hypomania and severe mania. Some people with bipolar disorder experience hypomania. During hypomanic episodes, a person may have increased energy and activity levels that are not as severe as typical mania, or he or she may have episodes that last less than a week and do not require emergency care. A person having a hypomanic episode may feel very good, be highly productive, and function well. This person may not feel that anything is wrong even as family and friends recognize the mood swings as possible bipolar disorder. Without proper treatment, however, people with hypomania may develop severe mania or depression.
During a mixed state, symptoms often include agitation, trouble sleeping, major changes in appetite, and suicidal thinking. People in a mixed state may feel very sad or hopeless while feeling extremely energized.
Sometimes, a person with severe episodes of mania or depression has psychotic symptoms too, such as hallucinations or delusions. The psychotic symptoms tend to reflect the person's extreme mood. For example, psychotic symptoms for a person having a manic episode may include believing he or she is famous, has a lot of money, or has special powers. In the same way, a person having a depressive episode may believe he or she is ruined and penniless, or has committed a crime. As a result, people with bipolar disorder who have psychotic symptoms are sometimes wrongly diagnosed as having schizophrenia, another severe mental illness that is linked with hallucinations and delusions.
People with bipolar disorder may also have behavioral problems. They may abuse alcohol or substances, have relationship problems, or perform poorly in school or at work. At first, it's not easy to recognize these problems as signs of a major mental illness.
How does bipolar disorder affect someone over time?
Bipolar disorder usually lasts a lifetime. Episodes of mania and depression typically come back over time. Between episodes, many people with bipolar disorder are free of symptoms, but some people may have lingering symptoms.
Doctors usually diagnose mental disorders using guidelines from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM. According to the DSM, there are four basic types of bipolar disorder:
- Bipolar I Disorder is mainly defined by manic or mixed episodes that last at least seven days, or by manic symptoms that are so severe that the person needs immediate hospital care. Usually, the person also has depressive episodes, typically lasting at least two weeks. The symptoms of mania or depression must be a major change from the person's normal behavior.
- Bipolar II Disorder is defined by a pattern of depressive episodes shifting back and forth with hypomanic episodes, but no full-blown manic or mixed episodes.
- Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (BP-NOS) is diagnosed when a person has symptoms of the illness that do not meet diagnostic criteria for either bipolar I or II. The symptoms may not last long enough, or the person may have too few symptoms, to be diagnosed with bipolar I or II. However, the symptoms are clearly out of the person's normal range of behavior.
- Cyclothymic Disorder, or Cyclothymia, is a mild form of bipolar disorder. People who have cyclothymia have episodes of hypomania that shift back and forth with mild depression for at least two years. However, the symptoms do not meet the diagnostic requirements for any other type of bipolar disorder.
Some people may be diagnosed with rapid-cycling bipolar disorder. This is when a person has four or more episodes of major depression, mania, hypomania, or mixed symptoms within a year.2 Some people experience more than one episode in a week, or even within one day. Rapid cycling seems to be more common in people who have severe bipolar disorder and may be more common in people who have their first episode at a younger age. One study found that people with rapid cycling had their first episode about four years earlier, during mid to late teen years, than people without rapid cycling bipolar disorder.3 Rapid cycling affects more women than men.4
Bipolar disorder tends to worsen if it is not treated. Over time, a person may suffer more frequent and more severe episodes than when the illness first appeared.5 Also, delays in getting the correct diagnosis and treatment make a person more likely to experience personal, social, and work-related problems.6
Proper diagnosis and treatment helps people with bipolar disorder lead healthy and productive lives. In most cases, treatment can help reduce the frequency and severity of episodes.
What illnesses often co-exist with bipolar disorder?
Substance abuse is very common among people with bipolar disorder, but the reasons for this link are unclear.7 Some people with bipolar disorder may try to treat their symptoms with alcohol or drugs. However, substance abuse may trigger or prolong bipolar symptoms, and the behavioral control problems associated with mania can result in a person drinking too much.
Anxiety disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and social phobia, also co-occur often among people with bipolar disorder.8-10 Bipolar disorder also co-occurs with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which has some symptoms that overlap with bipolar disorder, such as restlessness and being easily distracted.
People with bipolar disorder are also at higher risk for thyroid disease, migraine headaches, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and other physical illnesses.10, 11 These illnesses may cause symptoms of mania or depression. They may also result from treatment for bipolar disorder.
Other illnesses can make it hard to diagnose and treat bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder should monitor their physical and mental health. If a symptom does not get better with treatment, they should tell their doctor.
If any of these symptoms apply to you .... please check out our group for support ... we have a NO DRAMA no BASHING group where women come to vent and talk about their feelings with other moms who have the same or similar illnesses.....We also have a forum full of definitions and symptoms on lots of different mental illnesses.... from depression to bi polar to anxiety.... the list goes on .....so click the picture below to to go our group ...
Comments:
I am not bi polar but i am depressed with panic attacks. But this group have help me alot get through everything.
I LOVE YOU GUYS VERY MUCH!!!
I am manic depressive and Bi-polar! I hate the way that I feel, sometimes I just don't want to get up or be around anyone at all! Being in this group has helped me alot, I get all the support, advice and hugs I need and I have made some great friends! It feels good to be able to talk to other women who r like me! My family and friends do not understand at all! They just try and tell me to get over it! Ok, if it was that easy, I would have done that a long time ago!!!
If u have any bi-polar or any kind of mental illness, please, come by and check this group out!!!
My oldest dd is bipolar & I joined this group to get help understanding her. I found that & so much more. I love this group & all of the wonderful ladies who make it so great!
How do you know if you have bi-polar vs depression?
My mom died 9 months ago and i have been going through a lot of what is listed above. My sister is bi-polar and i have reason to believe that my mom was bi-polar as well.
I have the greatest dr in the world who treats my bi-polar. I am a rapid cycling bi-polar. I have been in a maniac episode for 6 weeks now. driving me nut so. but we upped my meds and i am coming out of it but there are days when i am maniac again. i haven't experienced the depressive state in about 2 months which is nice cause i hate feeling that. i am doing good on managing it though. i am proud of myself lately. i am happy to have found a group that i can relate with now.
My son is bipolar and was diagnosised when he was in 2nd grade. He is now 14yrs old. How I wished this board would have been here all these years for me. I never have had the resources that are on the board. And, the support that this family gives me now. It was like walking through a jungle with my eyes closed. No one knew too much about bipolar, and so I winged it. If you are bipolar this group is like a safe haven for you. Or, if you know someone, or a family member. Then here you will find a place that you can come to for answers, encouragement, to vent, or just cry through the hard times. But, we will be here for you, and pray for you if you wish. We know where your coming from, and will always hold you up. We don't do down!! May you have a great day. God bless you all!
thank you for posting this... i have been thinking i might be some form of bi-polar... and from reading this, i think i am going have to talk to my dr. about this.
hello im new here and i have a son who is bipolar and i have depression and aniexity and u guys helped me understand ty 
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Sorry didn't read it.
I know I am. I have been told by two different doctors and I had a mental exam last week for Social Security. He said you definitely are LOL.
I take meds daily.
I HATE being bipolar.
- shell81
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