Do i have bi-polar disorder...

Question

Sometimes i'll be feeling really great and then really sad,or i'll feel normal and something small or nothing at all will set me off and make me horribly angry,i'll start to sweat and just feel like scratching myself and yelling,or pulling out my hair.then i'll go back to being perfectly normal.My uncle has bipolar disorder and so did my father.Do i have it?It doesn't happen all the time,at least 2 a week or so.

Answer 1

Bipolar disorder is more than just feeling really great and really sad. It's way more extreme than that.

I hope you're not TRYING to have a disorder... I know lots of people want to label themselves with a disorder for attention, and sorry if that's not your intent, but I really don't think you have anything serious.  

Answer 2

Perhaps...see a counselor about it.

Answer 3

hmm...maybe you should talk too family members about it. since it runs in the family it is a strong possibility.  

Answer 4

(You may have this.*)  See bipolar disorder, at ezy build, below, in section 10, and take the quiz, if unsure, and if the results are positive, ensure you get an expert diagnosis from a mental health professional, not doctors, who are much better dealing with physical ailments, and don't diagnose complex disorders like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and borderline personality disorder often enough to develop any real expertise.

          Bipolar disorder usually involves major mood swings, which occur without apparent cause, and often over many months, or a matter of years, rather than days, as with most people (unless rapid cycling*). I'd take 4 Omega 3 fish oil supplements daily, replacing 2 of them with cod liver oil supplements in the winter months, (or, as probably a better alternative to the 2 cod liver oil supplements: 1 teaspoonful of cod liver oil, with a little butter, to ensure its use; I take mine on sourdough rye bread, or toast, covered with fishpaste, and pepper, to mask the strong taste). Those people who receive adequate exposure to sunlight, daily, won't need the vitamin D from cod liver oil, but many people, particularly those in latitudes far from the equator, find this difficult, to achieve.

         If you decide to use allopathy, (modern Western medicine) I recommend trying Lithium Carbonate, or Lithium Citrate. (regular tests are necessary, for these) before trying the other mood stabilisers, but if you aren't good at taking medications regularly, drinking adequate water, and keeping up your salt intake, something else, such as  Lamictal,  or Depakote, may suit you better. Check out "lithium"  at http://www.drugs.com/, and http://crazymeds.us/ and always research medications first, (read, and keep the labels/information sheets) so you will be aware of the risks, and on the lookout for side effects. (Personally, if I wasn't bipolar type 1, and didn't experience hallucinations, or serious delusional states, I know I'd first try the orthomolecular, and Omega 3 fish oil supplements, vitamins, minerals; a herbal remedy, and a mostly raw food diet, for several months. Note: St. John's wort, and also antidepressants, may cause mania, or hypomania, in people with bipolar disorder. I'd aso eat in accordance with my "nutritional type". Enter that term in the searchbar at http://www.mercola.com/  

         If not considerably improved, after a maximum of 6 months trial period, consult your primary mental health care provider: you may be one of those who need medications to prevent this serious disorder from worsening.  If you have bipolar type 1, an antipsychotic medication may also be needed. Everyone should take the Omega 3 supplements, or preferably "krill oil" for its other health benefits: use the searchbar at http://www.mercola.com/ . Some people refuse medication, using supplements, and a selective, mostly raw food diet (I do not recommended trying this, if bipolar 1, unless you aren't troubled by hallucinations, or delusional states).

         Maintain the treatments for the depressive phase, in section 2, at:  http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris and anger management is in section 4: see page C first.  Some topics in section 10 include: treating bipolar disorder with supplements, vitamins, minerals, and herbal remedies (except for St. John's wort, which may cause mania, or hypomania).  As with all medications, there are risks, and the possibility of side effects, which is why I inform people of the alternatives, to see if they can cope sufficiently well, without resorting to medications or, at least use less of them. Don't use medications and supplements together, without medical advice, except for Omega 3, which is safe, anytime.

Answer 5

i feel the same way but bi-polar disorder runs in my family

Answer 6

It is said that bipolar ilness is hereditary so, you might have it...I can't say because I'm am not a doctor. You need to consult a psichiatrics.  and/or psychologist ( the psychologist will do therapy with you and evaluate your symptom/ask you a series of questions...the psichiatris will deal  with the medication...if you need some...)

Befor jumping to conclusions (and putting more stress and insecurities in your mind), my best advice for you would be to keep a journal about your moods. Even if it's just writing a few lines or making a happy /or sad face on your calendar, it will help you track down how often your mood changes. Then you'll be able to track it down and see if it's related to events, your cycle (hormonal changes), or situations/peoples.

Maybe you are just going through alot of changes lately...( like school or friends, etc.) I can't say but, stress can effect a body in alot of ways and don't jump to conclusions. Some days, months or even years can be hard and it doesn't mean your suffering from a mental illness. Don't freak out and  automaticaly think something is wrong with you...everybody has hard times. Are you having a good sleep schedule?? Are you eating balanced meals?? I know it seems casual but that may have a serious effect on your mood.

If you can't have a regular sleep schedule or a good eating habbit all the time, you might consider investing in supplements such as Omeaga 3 (from fish oil and not from a cereal base). Those supplements are natural, sold over the counter (wich means you don't need a prescription) and proven to help balance out emotions. I f you like eating fish, tuna, sardines ans salmon have omega 3 in them. You would need to eat about two cans of sardines per week to have the same effect from the supplement (if your like me and can't stand fish, I suggest the supplements that come in the form of capsules)

For energy, vitamine D supplements are suggested daily. To help your body handle stress better, vitamin B12 supplements is the one to take. And another one that is also important is folic acid supplements, those will boost your immune system (wich means your health in general will be better.)

Why take these supplements you may ask, because ufortunately, the food we eat is "empty" of all these good things we used to find in them...All these supplements I've suggested play a critical role in the brain and nervous system. I personnaly am bipolar type 2 and my medication alone is not enough. I take these supplements daily and they have realy improved my condition (like any "new" medication or supplements added to your daily routine, it takes about 3 weeks to feel the full effect. I swear by them and, at fist you may not feel the difference but, I promiss they will help.

For more information, you may want to check out these sites below...

Take care and good luck;)

Answer 7

strong possibility, but your better off asking a proffesional that question

Answer 8

I think you should go and see someone who specialises with mental disorders. It could be something other than Bi-Polar disorder, so i suggest you go and get it checked out

Answer 9

It does sound like Bi-polar, but not a disorder, If it's only happens about 2 times out of a week or so then it's not a disorder. However it may just be progressing. It may be just stress, if your going through any rough times it may be a cause of this. I've had these kind of days and let me tell you, i'm not BI-Polar. I'm not a professional, but if your not hurting people and you have a bit of control over it i think you'll be alright.

Bipolar disorder isn't recognized much by the person who has it so i can see why you have posted a question here. Sometimes it's hard to diagnose by professionals so no matter what the answers are that you get here, i still recommend that you actually see a professional.

Answer 10

As A nurse I can say for sure that bipolar is a very difficult illness to diagnose and most Dr's do intensive testing to diagnose it .all it could  be is depression ,stress,etc.We  have to be real careful when stating that a patient is Bipolar because the Insurancee companiess don't want to pay for Dr's visit and it will follow you around for the rest of your life.And I should know because this happen to me too.And all I have is mild depression so please go to a Dr  and let him diagnose you please.Its sad because it is a real disease and there is no shame to it but the insurance companies can be very difficult to work with

Answer 11

Well, it's possible... Here's some info that you may find helpful -

Bipolar disorder is hereditary, that we know for sure.  Usually its passed from the maternal to the female child or vice-versa for guys - but that's not always the case.  

The disorder is not really noticeable until your thirties - give or take a few.  I had no clue  that I was Bipolar until i was diagnosed at 34; but up to that point my symptoms were a lot like yours: irritable, extreme mood swings, etc.  If you're in your twenties or so there's a classic symptom with bipolar disorder that's called "mania", and it often causes people to stay up without sleep, talk very fast & at length, compulsively shop, gamble, have a lot of "one night stands", stuff like that.  Then there are periods where the person will become depressed - sometimes for weeks, sometimes for days or even less.  

As you know, the only one who can diagnose you is a doctor, and until they do try not to worry about it too much.  There is definitely something going on, though, and treatment is as simple as taking medication (most bi-polar meds nowadays have little to no side effects).

One last thing - your habit of pulling your hair out.  This is something different, sounds like Trichotillomania - nothing dangerous, but something you definitely want to take care of if you find you're doing it too much.  Over eight million women have been diagnosed with trichotillomania, and just like bipolar disorder it's easy to treat.  But you must see your doctor for help with this too.

In the meantime, here's a great book on the web for people wanting to know more about bipolar disorder & compare their symptoms.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publicati...

But this shouldn't be a substitute for a visit to your friendly psychiatrist :)

Relax, everything will be fine.  If you do get diagnosed with BPD, it's easy to treat and definitely not the end of the world.

Peace,

elijah