What are the signs of bipolar disorder?!
Question: What are the symptoms, cause, treatment...etc.
Answers: What are the symptoms, cause, treatment...etc.
You know, people like the first person who said something are the reason why I get very discouraged with having bipolar disorder. I have done EXTENSIVE research and never have I read its 70% overdiagnosed, that person needs to get their head out of their ***.
Its misdiagnosed SOMETIMES for things like schizophrenia, hypothyroidism, and borderline personality disorder.
And sometmes, its misdiagnosed as depression with adhd.
There isn't a cause for this.
Its just genetics. Your parents carry either a recessive or dominant gene that carries mental disorders.
If you get super pissed FAST, don't wanna sleep so much (can go days without sleep or food), over-motivated to a point where you think you can conquer the world...pressured speech, out of control behavior. Those would be some symptoms of the "highs" the lows would be depression and anxiety issues...
There are diff types of BP. There's type I and II, hypomania, cyclothimia, etc.
With type II you experience more manic episodes than depressive cycles...also, you can have delusions or hallucinations....
But if a mental disorder runs in your family (doesn't matter what it is. My mom takes antidepressants for depression...she doesn't have bipolar disorder...but one of her uncles was a schizo and another was bipolar. So its just a recessive gene.) Then I'd definitely say its not hormones...itd be bipolar disorder. BUT if you've had past drug addictions...then it can bring on BP. Just please...I can't stress this enough when talking about drugs, smoking, and alcohol. Its dangerous and stupid. But its very very dangerous when you have a mental disorder. So stay away from it.
Schedule an appt. with your reg. doctor for ablood test and make sure your blood pressure is okay(polar bears normally have high blood pressure issues) ask he doc to see if you have a thyroid problem. Maybe see if he/she can test for a mental disorder...I've heard that many docs can test that now and itd be accurate.
But aftr you make an appt for that, make one to see a psych a week afterwards just to make sure its hormonal or not first. (Hypothyroidism mimics bipolar disorder sometimes)
If you need anything, feel free to email me. Comebackkiddxxx@yahoo.com
If you're young, don't worry...I feel your pain. My bipolar disorder developed when I was 15...I'm 18 now andddd I've been stable for a year, so I got some pointers if you'd like. I sure would love to help out someone in need....cause I remember how bad it was....so yeah..make sure you see the doctor soon. Wellbutrin is an antidepressant...antidepressants make mania WORSE. I went through ******** psychosis because I was on lexapro (an antidepressant) for a month last feb cause my idiot mom didn't think I was bipolar so she told the pysch I was just depressed. So take it from me, you shjouldnt trust antidepressants.
Lamictal is what I take...its AMAZING, if you are bipolar, talk to the pysch about lamictal. Its very safe, it doesn't make you sick or zombie like just like lithium does.
What are your symptoms? Like...what ahs made you think you may be bipolar? Just hurry up and get adoc soon...it WILL get a lot worse if its not treated.
Good luck! Email me if you'd like!
being diagnosed from a qualified pyschologist is a pretty good sign (about %70 bipolar is overdiagnosed)
my mum has it.. u get high mood swings like u can be really happy then really sad the next and u get so depressed..
the treatment is anit depressants
the cause may be if u were abused as a child or it runs in the family
From personal experience (I am bipolar) I would include:
Severe and sudden swings of mood. They are not related to events around me. At any time, I can go from normal to feeling like I can see how the universe works to wishing for death, all in the space of 10-15 minutes.
They will include 'racing thoughts' as a a symptom. I honestly don't know what that means, but when I'm in a swing, full up usually, I feel like there are a thousand parallel thoughts and ideas happening at once. They don't race, they're just all there.
Normal thought can include changes in mood. The key is sudden, extreme change unrelated to whatever is happening, outside your head or in. See a trained shrink for a true diagnosis. Some untrained 'counselor' will just poo-poo it as hormones or such.
If you feel there is a problem, seek help now. I went thru 25 years on "Hell's Roller Coaster" before I gave in and sought help. Now, I still have swings, but they and easier to manage since I know what's going on.
They use several drugs to control it. I finally had to forgo the drugs and deal with it, as most can cause depression. DO NOT let them give you wellbutrin. This medicine causes seizures and suicidal thoughts.
I truly hope that you don't have this condition. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.
I will live with it until I can't take it anymore. You don't want to.
Like he said you really need a pro to diagnose because it's often misdiagnosed and has varying degrees of severity. Thus the treatment would depend upon that. With most men the hyper stage usually involves uncontrollable or barely controllable rage. With women it tends to be weeping and hurting themselves. But both these symptoms can be found in other types of mental disorders.
One friend with it has it controlled with meds and bi monthly therapy. Another's is only under control for various lengths of time then he goes off & the meds have to be readjusted.
Then another's is really extreme. He has to have shock therapy ever so often just to get it under enough control to medicate him. On one 3 week hyper cycle he spent several hundred THOUSAND dollars. By God's grace most of the items he was able to return.
Self diagnosis is ok but only to the point where it makes you realize you need help. It's not like a cold, flu or even normal depression. Hormones can also play a role in mood swings, especially if under 21, going through menopause or even your period. That's why it's so important to be diagnosed by a pro.