Am I Bipolar? I think I could be?!
Question: Am I Bipolar? I think I could be?
So, to start. I go through long periods of either depression or "highs", during Summer 2010, I would go weeks at a time when it came to depression, and for no reason too. The longest I went was about 2 weeks of depression where I didn't want to do anything except cry and feel sorry for myself for being such a screw up. Then I have extended periods of "high's", for example; When I found out what career I wanted to pursue, I felt on top of the world, I was very happy compared to how I had felt during Summer.
There is times where I am talking on "Skype" with my friends, and I start getting really happy for no reason and start talking really fast and saying the randomest stuff ever. Nothing can ever take me down when I am in this type of mood. Someone could say something random and it'll completely tear me out of my "high", and I could feel depressed about it for a few days if it's that serious or rude. Which allows me to add onto that, anytime in real life, if someone says something that upsets me, I could be upset about it for a few days to even a week or two.
Example, I've been having a great week, until 2 days ago, my dad started stressing over things, and I've been in a low ever since, and am not sure when I will come out of it really.
I show a lot of the bipolar symptoms, such as more thoughts of sex etc.
All answers are appreciated.
Answers:
Best Answer - Chosen by Voters
You might have the so called "mild" bipolar II or cyclothymia (bipolar III) as you don't sound like you get truely manic.
To be manic you have to be out of control and you would probabaly be better off in hospital to avoid the trail of destruction afterwards. I'm guessing that you haven't had hallucinations, delluded thoughts about your abilities, going for days on almost no sleep, sleeping round with strangers, and going on drink or drug binges for days on end, spending all your money, and endangering your own life for the sheer thrill of it.
Mind you, some doctors are full of **** and don't realise that you don't have to be this extreme and loose your judgement, to be bipolar, but the highs are still full on. I'm only diagnosed with type II but I still, get pretty wild and end up doing some dangerous things, going on big binges, sleeping about 2-3 hours per night, and couldn't feel better. The sex is wicked and I feel a need to seek out anything that makes me feel good, I'll go out partying til 4 or 5 in the morning and wake up as fresh as a daisy and help out more than most with family or whatever, and nothing seems to be able to bring me down or get to me, even though life has a deeper meaning like this, and I feel stronger connections to people too. Work goes real well too, as I become very charasmatic, and double my output, as does everything else.
Depression is just crap and nothing feels worthwhile, and even good friends and family seem distant, the energy, inspiration, joy, just goes into a deep dark hole, until you feel dead inside.
Mixed episodes are torture, and like depression x10, you cannot escape, or even rest from the pain and the shame is intollerable, as is the anxiety, and you have the impulsiveness and energy to carry out anything, and this is a seriously dangerous condition to find yourself in. You can't even trust yourself.
If this sounds like you then you probably do have it, and I'd suggest to see a doctor that knows what he or she's on about. Because bipolar varies a lot the best medicine is probably what works on your dad. Lithium is best for me. There's a lot you can do about it by the way you deal with life by the way.
I know you don't want to hear this, but you're 15. That's the cause of your ups and downs. And the symptoms you describe don't sound like bipolar at all.
I don't think you are. You need to meet numerous characteristics for both manic and depressive phases to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and it's a pretty easy checklist to cover so I don't think your doctor could have messed it up. Everyone gets really happy/ hyper and sad at times. Don't feel like you have to have the disorder just because your dad does.
Nope far from it..My hubby has bipolar and has suffered for years. I know everything you need to know about the illness because i had to know. I never knew him when he was in phych for hearing voices telling him to do weird things. He had to quit universary and his life changed badly. He was always seriously depressed not really manic. But when i met him he was a gentle good looking guy easy to talk to because at that time lithium was working for him. Up to date i watch him like a hawk to be sure he is ok.I love him he would do the same for me:)
You aren't bipolar just going through teenage stuff, my 14 yr. old goes through what you do and as you get older it just goes away.Normally we were told between 20 and 25 is when the illness can come on but that doesn't mean you will get it remember that ok..