Being Bipolar..

You might find this article blog interesting:

Bipolarity

You should focus on the characteristics of your very high, lifted swings (e.g. manic or hypomanic episodes). Bipolar disorder is easily confused with unipolar depression (depression). Remember unless you are cyclothyhmic (a rarer, quicker fluctuating form, see bottom for more info.)

Those two voices...are they comprised of thoughts saying, "I shouldn't be this way," as if it is a thought of reason and then another emotionally dramatic voice?

I have a friend her who is Bipolar, and it is apparent in their behavior.
(even though they have been taking meds).

I had considered this as well as I had gone through the above description at least twice, I remember those times I could work on art or any of my goals for endless hours, and had been irritable (though after much thinking I have decided that I may have just been very inspiried). Also, I had outside influences affecting my mood to some extent. Usually, your mood fluctuates independently of outside stimuli.

Keep in mind Adolesence is a very tough time , and you have been going through oceans of stress recently. I hope this helps.

Keep those spirits up!


Manic-Depressive Disorder- extra info

 

Well gee when my dad was high he'd be able to stay up for three days straight, like I'd walk into the other room at all hrs of the morning and he'd be there obsessively collaging. He'd also have hyper sex drive like he'd sleep with all these models and take pictures of it, he was a bit of a whore, I didn't figure that one out till I was an adult though. I'd also find books of his highlighted because he thought there was some sort of meaning in them. He'd also spend a lot of money on stuff we didn't really need like one time he got the car painted for $400 the problem was we were broke. He seemed to think that the money would take care of itself.

He said that he first noticed something wrong with him when he was fourteen or maybe it was later :/ he was definitely in his teens. He had asked this girl this girl he liked out
and she said yes, and he got all skippy and said she was gonna have a great time. Well when he got up to her house he got so depressed he couldn't talk to her all evening. Not scared depressed.

When he was low well he didn't do much, when he was low, it was hard to get a word out of him. And sometimes he he'd get these diseases and not notice. Like before I was born he had this horrible skin rash that my mom said made him look like an inflated alien. But when they took him to the hospital all he could talk about was his depression. I mean other than that well he'd get so beyond depressed that he couldn't do ANYTHING like not anything what so ever.



I mean he had bipolar one of course and the only way you are going to know if you see a phsycologist. I strongly suggest that you do but you know a proper diagnosis might take awhile.

And uh no I don't have bipolar. As far as Mbti types goes I have know idea but I would think that most people with it are intuitive.

good luck

 

I know my older ENFJ has bipolar and boderline personality disorder. Life for her is though, I am very happy though that she has a loving partner (INTP) who understands her and cares for her and that my older INTJ sister is also taking care of her. Unfortunately though her having Bipolar makes it hard for her to do things such as working and move forward in her singing carrer. She feels extremely insecure about herself and is constantly hurting herself.
I feel sad when I see the scars on her body.
She is none the less a very caring person whom I love very much and wish all the best for.

As far as I go;
I was also at war with myself hearing the two voices at the back of my head, not sleeping for days at a time, my emotions would switch often, I was obsessed with future goals, constanly beating myself up (punching brick walls till my knuckles bleed, eventually leading to wrist problems)felling worthless, not eatting, very obsessive over future goals and plans, could not relax at all, feeling faint and fainting from lack of energy (I was fainting when I was with my psychologist and at school) and having panic attacks at work.

I have now left my job, and on tricyclic antidepressants. I don't know exactly what I might of been dealing with but I suspect it was unipolar. In my book, just another side effect of being intelligent. However I will need to check with my doc as he never told me when handed me over my prescription.

 

I can identify a bit with the descriptions of bipolar I've read. But, I'm functional as far as keeping a job, getting through school, etc, so I don't worry about whether the diagnosis fits me. I do think the bipolar people I've met seem really cool though.

 

There is certainly a difference between being an emotional basketcase and being bipolar.

 

Being Bipolar

True, but sometimes they look and feel very similar.

 

What does bipolar look and feel like? Maybe I'm just cynical because I'm used to people self-diagnosing because they are having a rough patch in life.

 

Being Bipolar

As long as the voices remain inside your head, they're thoughts. I's when they're outside your head that they're more likely auditory hallucinations. My definition; take it for what it's worth. Outside gave you lots of good info, btw.

 

My bio mom has bipolar disorder. She's been suffering from highs and lows since before I was even born. She's in deep denial about it, so she isn't getting any treatment. It has made me unable to live in the same house with her. My advice is if you're showing some of the symptoms, get help now. See a psychiatrist and tell them everything you've been experiencing.

I've always been an introvert, ever since I was a small child. When I was about eight years old, I started feeling depressed. It got worse and worse until I finally almost lost my mind and tried to end my life. That's when I started getting help. I've also been diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It is possible that I'm depressed because I'm an INFJ and thus very observant and sensitive, but it's also possible that I'm depressed because of what I've been through and the fact that mental illness runs in my family. It's definitely something to consider, though.

 

Being Bipolar

I can't speak for others, but before I was diagnosed and started treatment at age 30 (16 years after its onset), life was pretty confusing. The ups were especially self-destructive, though the depressions weren't better; I just had less energy to with which I could wreck my like. I'd be up not sleeping, not eating, overspending, having sex with strangers, etc., feeling generally invincible. Then I'd crash into a depression made worse by all the wreckage I'd created during the mania. Will continue in a minute. I'm gonna time out here...

 

Being Bipolar

Double post...mea culpa. But to continue to answer your question: I wrecked a lot of friendships with my behaviors and was usually baffled because time in manias goes by in a blur and the events are often blurred as well. Attempted suicide too many times. Never succeeded (I am a survivor). I was a complete drama queen, but the attempts were serious and I had some pretty bad times in hospitals getting my stomach pumped (I always did pills). When I was finally diagnosed, it was a relief to know there was something definite wrong and something I could do bout it. Lithium takes about four weeks to take effect and I really didn't believe it would make a difference--I mean, I thought I was just the way I was--but in a month or so after I started taking it, I slowly gained a sense of peace I couldn't remember feeling since childhood. I didn't feel dopey or anything; I just had more control over my emotions and my actions. I had choices for the first time in years.

That about covers it for me, I think. If you have any other questions, I'm glad to answer them.

 

I have a few 'voices' in my head. I consider them my 'advisors'. Really though, they're just thoughts like anyone else has. I've never sought out psychological help, though I'm sure I could use it at times, even just to have someone to talk to about my past or anything that I can't talk about with anyone else.
To cope with my feelings, I try to become aware of them if they are coming out too much, or at inappropriate times, and simply try to think logically first, then I deal with my emotions after I've taken into account the logical facts of the situation. It does help, though it's taken my whole life to get this far, and I still need to improve on it.

 

Being Bipolar

Addendum: I have had a few episodes of auditory hallucinations, one quite pleasant and not at all scary (just puzzling that my husband lying right next to me couldn't hear the symphony), the others not so much.

 

I have noticed a trend that people who aren't aware of themselves, or those who don't self analyse (with a disorder), tend to afflicted far worse then someone who is. Part of it could be because they often don't try to fix it.

It brings me to the question if it is possible for one to watch themselves go 'insane'. I have reasoned that it is not very possible. If it is, the person might be able to subvert the effects of the disorder, and be ok.

 

Being Bipolar

You may well be right. Certainly I had less self-awareness at 14 when I suffered my first Major Depression, but consider the strength of the emotions--I had almost complete anhedonia; a grey film covered everything. It was extremely confusing and definitely had a deleterious effect on my ability to reason. Manias are even worse. And remember, there was a lot less information available about bipolar or any other mental illness 47 years ago than there is today.I'm a naturally analtical person (probably why law sckool was such a good fit), but I may not always apply that analytical ability to myself.

As I've learned more about bipolar over the years ad become more aware of symptoms, I've been able to have much more control the effects of the disorder much more efficiently. But when one is in the throes of untreated bipolar, I think insight and self-awareness are very difficult.

 

I can relate, my sister is the same way. I still live with her though, and she is getting treatment. She's about 50% better than she was before. It's well worth seeking professional help for this disorder.

 

Being Bipolar

The bottom line is, if you're having symptoms , the earlier you get help the better. The longer the disorder goes untreated, the longer you have to develop bad coping mechanisms. I know you're underage and whether you can receive mental healthcare without your parents' consent depends on your individual state laws. My advice is to seek help as soon as you can.