Do I have bipolar?
Posted , 6 users are following.
Hi guys,
I'll make this short and sweet.
It has gotten that bad that my family want me to seek help as they suspect I may have bipolar.
I'm a 20 year old female, this has been happening since I was around 15/16. I would go through phases that last weeks of feeling so low and then to the point where I feel on top of the world. ( I will list some symptoms below) I have been so afraid for years to seek help in case it affected my career and future employment but I have booked an appointment with my GP for next week.
If you could give me your opinion on whether you think I may be bipolar or not.
Depressed episodes:
Very low
Self harm sometimes
Suicidal thoughts sometimes
Hopeless
No ambition
No energy
Anxiety
Etc etc
Mania epiosode:
Bursts of energy
Positive
Trouble sleeping
Excited
Feel on top of the world
Risk taking that puts me in danger
Sometimes I think of stories in my head and start to believe it's true ( what does it mean?)
Shopping spree (I spent £3,000 of my student loan on clothes and flights)
Etc etc
0 likes, 4 replies
jmcg2014 emily1997x
Posted
Not necessarily bipolar no, a big misconception with bipolar is people learn the "typical" symptoms, from media etc and it can be easy to call it bipolar when it's more likely just good old fashioned anxiety/depression. A Dr can't diagnose bipolar anyway, they'll refer you to a psychiatrist if they think it's likely. They will then take a good length of time before deciding. Over recent years psychiatrists are very suspicious of people presenting the classic bipolar symptoms, simply because it's been so publicised that people subconsciously start to for themselves into that diagnosis themselves. Anyways, no it doesn't sound dlike bipolar, all of the above happen very readily with anxiety, bipolar is more than just symptoms, it's a very disruptive and dangerous condition, you would know if you had it. And dont listen to others telling you what they think, that's not a good way to deal with mental health issues
BraunWynn emily1997x
Posted
Hello Emily,
A difficult situation to think about but not impossible to find a workable solution to.
First your smart and brave enough to innately know something hasn't been spot on with your mental health. People that love you the most also have noticed their bright light, Emily is struggling. Please kindly insist your GP refer you to a psychiatrist, because you require a specialist for a correct diagnosis for your situation.
I lived with undiagonsed bipolar one for over thirty years, until last year I was admitted to hospital and formerly diagnosed bipolar one.
The years of not being formerly diagnosed and treated shed malice in every concievable facet of my exsistence. Life is better once you know what is happening with you. If you are, well lots of us are diagnosed with something but you will have a treatment plan that you will be a part of and a smoother path for your future once you know what is going on with you.
I will be routing for you and my wish for you is a piece of mind.
Good Luck!
Sully99 BraunWynn
Posted
Hi there, was so nice to see you speaking about undiagnosed for 30 years. I got diagnosed bp1 after probably 25 years of sporadic nuttiness culminating in horrible visit to psyche ward and ultimate diagnosis. I'm now on lithium and been good for 9+ months. Nice to meet and hear from you. Kindest Regards. John
su1977 emily1997x
Posted
I think this could possibly be bipolar. There are two different types of bipolar - I and II. Many of these symptoms I had and I was diagnosed with bipolar II. I did see a psychiatrist because I experienced a manic episode. The biggest indicator besides those behaviors was the manic episode was caused by an SSRI I had recently been prescribed. (I also have anxiety.) When someone with bipolar is on an SSRI without a mood stabilizer, it makes the symptoms more intense. I'm certainly not a doctor so I'm not diagnosing you. You will need to see a psychiatrist and get their opinion but know that if you are, it's not the end of the world. It's just a matter of finding a medication that will stabilize your moods so you're not going from one extreme to another. Let us know of your progress. Great forum for advice and support.