How many symptons of bipolar do you have to have to have it?!

I think Mario is being given information that matches HIS experience by his social worker. The truth is, most people with bipolar KNOW they have depression problems, and about half (I think it was about half, but it has been a long time) who get full blown mania realize there is something wrong. In bipolar II, the one where you get milder mania problems, hypomania is not so disabling, and the person may actually be performing better than average when they get hypomania.

anyhow, what is really definitive - when you are hyper, and you think that is maybe mania, are you going for weeks to months without needing hardly any sleep? I mean you truly don't need much sleep, not that you are pushing yourself to burn the candle on both ends, but you are tired, or else insomnia. When I had mania full blown (under the effect of an antidepressants) I truly only needed an hour or two of sleep a night, for MONTHS. Normally, i need about 9 hours. In hypomania, which I have had several times not on antidepressants, I need only 3 or 4 hours of sleep for MONTHS. If you don't get this type of change, it isn't bipolar, probably. Bipolar is way overdiagnosed now, because there is big money in handing out these pills that are mostly still brand name, but these newer drugs are much more harmful to the body than the old lithium ever was, or even depakote (for young women especially, depakote is a big risk).

To be considered bipolar you have to switch from extremes in both the manic phase and the depression phase. The chance of you having this disorder is very low, only 1% of the worlds population have this disorder. If you are concerned talk to your doctor and get him/her to refer you to a phycologist. Or try to increase your lithium intake (More tomatoes).

What I've come to know about bipolar disorder is that if you have it you most likely wont know it or even believe you have it. My previous social worker stated even if someone had all the symptoms that does not mean they have it. Everyone has a little sadness, hyperness, and anxiety but that does not mean they have it either. If you had bipolar disorder it is the others that notice it like family and friends. Trying to convince someone they are bipolar is like trying to convince them butter is sharper than a knife. It just wont happen. If you have it let a doctor tell you, not some of those stupid online "Quizzes"

Diagnosed bipolar 3 years ago, still not sure if I accept it and know if i was off meds I'd cycle and not listen to a word of it.

Two

Ok, that was a joke. I meant it in a kind way.

:)