How do you know if you are bipolar or not?
89231
With the utmost respect, I want to let you know that it sounds important for you to see a professional. It need not be a medical "doctor." It could be a professional counselor or psychologist. These individuals are trained to make diagnoses, and it would be inappropriate for anyone to make such a diagnosis of bipolar or any other without enough information. Overall, it sounds as if you are going through a very difficult time. It concerns me greatly that you mention suicide attempts...please ask for help if you feel the need to hurt yourself or someone else. I urge you to seek a professional to answer your question in person...I think you will be glad you did. Find someone you can be comfortable talking to and enjoy the healing process.
711564
Yeah you should check with your doctor.  Bipolar is a very severe illness and you shouldn't ingest anything without knowing what affect it will have on your mood
897426
It sounds like bipolar to me. One KEY factor is staying awake without the need of drugs or medications. If this friend of yours stays awake on his own for long periods of time then I would check it out for sure. I am bipolar and I know that when I stay awake on these manic days, I tend to make planners, lists of things to do, lists of things to buy, goals that are completely unrealistic, I clean the house, I go shopping at 4am. Does any of that sound familiar? Another thing is that when the manic episode fades and I realize that I can't achieve the goals that I just set then I get depressed about it. www.crazymeds.org has lots of information so you might want to check that site, there should be a link to the forum site with even more information there.
57053
Please see a psychologist immediately.  You may be suffering from Bi-polar disorder.
674085
I have depression but not bipolar.
945433
this may just be a hormonal imbalance are you bi polar by any chance
1132280
No, a person does not have to be suicidal to be bipolar.  Also there are many different types of bipolar.  Type 1s generally is what most people think of when the hear the word bipolar...it has the manic highs and depressed lows.  Type 2s are the more docile of the types...more low lows and low to medium highs.  Generally speaking people with type 2 bipolar are often misdiagnosed as having depression or even cyclothymic disorder.  Ask you doctor to screen you for Type 2 Bipolar and check out www.nami.org.
292265
I've done a lot of research about exactly what you're asking because I'm bipolar too. From what I've found out, people are born with bipolar but it often takes a traumatic experience to trigger it. Once bipoar is triggered it's very important to find the right medication because bipolar is with you for life and without treatment will only get worse. There are many different medications that help with the symptoms so it's equally as important to find a doctor you can discuss all your options with. Finding a proper diet helps too as well as staying away from street drugs and alcohol.
895473
Bipolar disorder always has the mania component, but it doesn't always mean bouncing off the walls, not sleeping, being extremely creative, etc. That's Bipolar I. With Bipolar II, you tend to have more depressive episodes than manic ones, and your manic episodes may just look like what would be a good mood for a "normal" person. This would be what you're describing as cycling from depressed to normal and back again. Manic episodes with Bipolar II can also manifest as extreme irritability and/or anger, even rage. If you suspect you may have Bipolar Disorder (or any other psychological problem), please seek help. It doesn't make you weak to get help or to take medication. BD is a real illness and is even considered potentially fatal because of the number of those afflicted who commit suicide. Please talk to a professional as soon as possible.
437743
You could have mood swings that are entirely mormal if you live with a man or someone else that is abusive.\nOn the other hand if some days you are really depressed and other days you are hyper and don't need more than a few hours of sleep and your thoughts race and you talk nonstop and you are super confident and on top of the world then you could be manic.\nThe only way to tell is to go to a psychiatrist who treats bipolar patients and let him evaluate you.\nJust having your husband say you have bipolar if he is not a psychiatrist is a way for him to verbally abuse you.\n\nI suggest you read "The Verbally Abusive Relationship" which is available on http://www.amazon.com .\nIt will explain exactly how statements like this are abusive and tell you how to handle it.
305412
Hey, I am bipolar and your symptoms fit for bipolar but could be other problems as well. Without more info it's hard to tell. I'm not a doctor so I would never attempt a diagnosis anyway. But check the symptoms on the page link below.  If those symptoms don't fit then go to the sites home page and search for other mental conditions. The site is the National Institute of Mental Health and is 100% free and run by the government. Hope it helps and Good luck!
1127360
Bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood swings—from overly "high" and/or irritable to sad and hopeless, and then back again, often with periods of normal mood in between. Severe changes in energy and behavior go along with these changes in mood. The periods of highs and lows are called episodes of mania and depression.\nSigns and symptoms of mania (or a manic episode) include:\n\n    * Increased energy, activity, and restlessness\n    * Excessively "high," overly good, euphoric mood\n    * Extreme irritability\n    * Racing thoughts and talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another\n    * Distractibility, can't concentrate well\n    * Little sleep needed\n    * Unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities and powers\n    * Poor judgment\n    * Spending sprees\n    * A lasting period of behavior that is different from usual\n    * Increased sexual drive\n    * Abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol, and sleeping medications\n    * Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behavior\n    * Denial that anything is wrong\n\nA manic episode is diagnosed if elevated mood occurs with three or more of the other symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for 1 week or longer. If the mood is irritable, four additional symptoms must be present.\nSigns and symptoms of depression (or a depressive episode) include:\n\n    * Lasting sad, anxious, or empty mood\n    * Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism\n    * Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness\n    * Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, including sex\n    * Decreased energy, a feeling of fatigue or of being "slowed down"\n    * Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions\n    * Restlessness or irritability\n    * Sleeping too much, or can't sleep\n    * Change in appetite and/or unintended weight loss or gain\n    * Chronic pain or other persistent bodily symptoms that are not caused by physical illness or injury\n    * Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts\n\nA depressive episode is diagnosed if five or more of these symptoms last most of the day, nearly every day, for a period of 2 weeks or longer.
922206
Well, first you need to look at your family history.  Has anyone in your family ever been bipolar or had bipolar tendencies?  If so, then here's the second question:  Are you ADD or ADHD?\n\nHere's my personal story:\n\nI started my period at 11.  By 13 I hit "teenager" years and by 14 I was into puberty.  You know, boobs, hair, voice, the works.  Except something happened.  I turned into Frankenstein's Mood monster.  I was always either really excited and upbeat, or so depressed that I would stay in my room for days and bite off anyone's head who tried to talk to me.\n\nMy family became so distraut that they finally talked about sending me to a boarding school.  the house was always tense, but I thought it was everyone else.  I was kicked out several times, moved back home, and just barely made it through my teen years without going crazy.  When I was 21, I married, and my husband saw the same thing in me - we were always fighting, and I knew it was always my fault.  I felt crazy because my moodswings were so bad.\n\nAfter lots of research and lots of crazy doctors trying to prescribe me medicines, I learned the most facinating thing:  Kids who are ADD or ADHD and go through puberty actually experience bipolar tendencies.  It's a natural, hormone-imbalance.  And since I was ADHD my whole life, it was normal.  Man I wish someone had know that back then!!!!!!\n\nHere's what you need to do:  Find out if you're ADD or ADHD.  Change your diet from sugars and white flours to lots of grains, good dark green vegetables, and unprocessed sugars and eat healthy.  Exercise and work out regularly.  Talk to your doctor about natural ways to balance out your hormones through this period.  It's possible.\n\nIt's okay, you're going to be alright.  You'll make it through this, even though now it doesn't seem like it. \n\nIf it is bipolar, you would have known at an early age, before this time.  Since you're 14 and starting to experience these symptoms, I would say most likely it's that your hormones are turning you into a woman.  Hang in there, girl!
1174967
Bipolar diagnosis is this decade's equivalent to co-dependence in the 80s and ADD in the 90s. It's something that everyone has that becomes a bigger problem the more you fear it.\n\nThere are evolutionary reasons for bipolar symptoms. Your best bet is to get some professional help dealing with the underlying causes from someone who is willing to look beyond covering up the problem with medication. Even alternative medicines are a sign that you've given up hope trying to deal with the cause. Chemical imbalances are founded in a deeper problem. The underlying issue can be rooted out when it isn't covered up.
526176
Some people who are bipolar are like that when they are in the manic phase.And some people are just naturally CHATTY!
399050
God still heals.\n\nOften in cases that appear to be bipolar, simply doing what's right. . .living for God will take care of it.  I've seen it happen.
989086
It could be a sign of depression.  I disagree with the possible diagnosis of bipolar because it sounds like you are angry, not manic.  There is a difference.  (The actual prevalence of Bipolar is only about 1-2% anyway) However, do not go by my rudimentary assessment alone because I have never met you.  \n\nAnger is a sign of depression.  Its very common with young children, although I understand you are 20.  Everyone deals with depression in their own ways.  Some people internalize it.  They brood and cry and sleep all day.  They tend to dwell on themselves and their lives.  Other people externalize it.  Rather than look inside themselves, for these people, it's so much easier to blame others or lash out at other people. \n\nOne of the problem with depression is that some people don't know how to cope with it.  The internalizers may bottle it all up, but they will release it by crying.  The externalizers may bottle it all up, and like a bottle of soda, all it takes is just a little bit of shaking to make them explode.  \n\nThere could be many reasons for your anger and the fact that you recognize it as a problem is a good sign.  The only way for you to know is to seek the help of a professional.