Am I bipolar or what the fuck is wrong with me?

[j e s s i e]

Speaking as someone who has been diagnosed and treated for it in past years, the highs and lows you describe can very well be symptomatic of a rapid-cycling form of bipolar disorder. If your moods are taking away from your quality of life (which it very much seems they are), it is not normal.

But only upon seeing a psychiatrist would you be able to get an official diagnosis. I urge you to see one, as well as stick with counseling. If you're still seeing your councilor regularly, perhaps they could tell you a few names of psychiatrists in your area, or your primary care physician could give you a referral if necessary.

If you were to be properly diagnosed, you could then explore your treatment options with your psychiatrist. Medication coupled with counseling is the most common path.

I hope things look up for you. Best wishes!

 

[bamf]

Speaking as someone who has been diagnosed and treated for it in past years, the highs and lows you describe can very well be symptomatic of a rapid-cycling form of bipolar disorder. If your moods are taking away from your quality of life (which it very much seems they are), it is not normal.

But only upon seeing a psychiatrist would you be able to get an official diagnosis. I urge you to see one, as well as stick with counseling. If you're still seeing your councilor regularly, perhaps they could tell you a few names of psychiatrists in your area, or your primary care physician could give you a referral if necessary.

If you were to be properly diagnosed, you could then explore your treatment options with your psychiatrist. Medication coupled with counseling is the most common path.

I hope things look up for you. Best wishes!

^^^This^^^
Only a mental health specialist will be able to diagnose you. Also, keep going to the counselor.

When you keep your journal, look for little things that appear again and again right before a mood swing. These could possibly be triggers. Also, write down the words or phrases that might 'set you off.' Learn to identify what words/lines of thought that might lead to some form of altered thinking. When ever you start to notice that feeling coming on, find something to distract yourself from the lines or phrases that might repeat, and make you feel down about yourself.

Most importantly, when ever start feeling a swing, try and remind yourself that what you're going through is normal, it's not you talking/acting, and that it's okay. If you have a friend you can confide in, tell them the things you need to hear. Ask them if you can contact them when you're feeling down, and ask them to reaffirm you. Have them say something along the lines of "You're not worthless" "What you're experiencing is okay. It isn't you talking" and the such. After a swing has happened, try not to beat yourself up over it, it could possibly just extend the low. Keep reminding yourself that it really is okay to be feeling the way you are.

Also, if you do get diagnosed and a treatment isn't feeling right for you, talk to your doctor and change it. Don't settle until you're comfortable.

 

[anica]

There's a "sticky" around here somewhere entitled "Got a Question about mood disorder?" that's got some pretty good information, including links, in it. A lot of it deals with bipolar.

 

[deadred]

I agree that a Psychiatrist, or at least a Psychologist is critical. With that being said, I have a few questions:

1. Do you ever go 2 or 3 days without sleep, and are so hyperactive
that you either clean, polish, or paint your entire domain in one
sitting?
2. You might ask your best friends this one...do you ever talk so much
that no one else can seem to get a word in edgewise?
3. Do you consider yourself overly promiscuous during the times
when your energy is extremely high, but less in your more "normal"
modes?
3. When your energies are very high, do you find yourself with an
explosive temper or extremely tempermental? Do you get upset
when others disagree with you?
4. Have you found yourself wanting to laugh and cry at the same time?

I've studied and learned a lot about mental illness after two hospitalizations for depression. Having a deep medical background
helps me a lot with the language. In the last year I've become a certified facilitator for NAMI (Nat'l Alliance on Mental Illness), and have dealt with MANY bi-polars. Tell your GP or Family Doc you have some concernes and get them to refer you to a Psychologist. They can't perscribe, but if they believe you have a problem they can refer you upstream to a Psychiatrist. It's not all bullshit!

 

[myself]

i'm kinda surprised at the level of trust you guys have for doctors and those offering 'professional help'

analyze the shit out of yourself

pick yourself apart and put yourself back together again

change your diet

be healthy in body, spirit and mind

you need all three

seek balance

find your focus

change it up

make a different movement

stop listening to music, stop watching movies

ride a bike, read a book

fly a kite

take a hike