Is self harm a symptom of bi-polar? Is self harm a symptom of any other mental illness?
122340
Self Injury and Suicidal thoughts to my understanding are often a bi-product of various types of depression. So it is possible that the self harm may be symptomatic of various types of depression or anxiety. You would have to speak to a psychologist to specify which one however. Some are hormonally based such as in the case of Post Partum Depression, or Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder. Others are caused by other sorts of chemical imbalance such as bi-polar disorder (formerly known as Manic Depression) Some depression and anxiety is borne out of traumatic  events, others by high levels of stress. Suicide, and self harm can be symptomatic of a wide variety of problems. The best way to find out what is causing this bi-product however is to get into your physician and have a physical done, as well as a good counselor or psychiatrist. Working in collusion a physician and a psychiatrist/counselor can usually determine what the cause is and work out a good treatment plan based on your physical health and psychiatric history.
86088
The worst symptom would likely be feeling suicidal. Other than that you have someone like me who has turned reclusive, has anxiety/panic problems, fear people and places, avoided family and friends, feel like crying yet can't or cry all the time and can't stop, feeling hopeless, useless, worthless, total despair, trust no one...Yup that's where I am now. And I'm battling it alone.
630692
Cutting is an acutal mental illness. So is self punishment. I implore you to seek out assistance.\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self_mutilation\nThis link will explain in detail the phenomenon of self harm and why people do it. It is not a healthy way to deal with your stress and pain, there are better ways and you must seek them out. Good luck to you.
223261
Bi Polar disorder is characterised by 'mood swings'. In my case I did not sleep well for about a year then I stopped sleeping completely for about 8 days and I began to lose 'insight' - I began exercising in the middle of the night, had loads of energy. Didn't eat much either and started getting some strong 'notions' that people around me couldn't relate to. I talked a lot more than usual and it was hard to follow me, so I am told. This was my 'manic' phase. It was pretty scary. I then became severely depressed. It took me along time to find 'normal' moods again. It takes patience and a good deal of getting to know yourself better. (foods and drink that help/hinder - )\nI struggled with anxiety for years before this occurred. I have been on both Lithium and depakote. Am on (epilim) which is very similar to depakote now (it is easier on my stomach than Dep- but not licensed for BiPolar like Depakote- They are both Valproic acid essentially). It is hard to say how efective it is. You will put on a little weight but it can really help if you are prone to getting 'manic'.\nGood luck. If you want to chat further feel free to contact me and I would be happy to share any relevant experiences with you.
523428
Extemely trying to please people and become frustrated by it. Bi Polars have extreme mood swing (that is in the criteria) but what most do not realize is that some of that comes from the "let down" of trying to be nice to people and not having that returned.
293585
yes those can be symptoms but psychiatrists take a lot of different things as symptoms of depression (often they are right sometimes they are wrong)\npeople love to self diagnose but depersonalization is a valid possibility, talk to your shrink about it and if you don't feel like you are get results then find another doctor
208673
I do not suffer from Bi-polar, however, I have worked in Mental health for 12 years.  I am assuming your friends brother has access to mental health services ie: a CPN (Community Psychiatric Nurse) for example.  Depending on which service works with him ie: early intervention (if it is his first episode, home treatment etc you should be able to to speak with the named person who is working with him.\n\nIf he is on medication, he must have a Consultant Psychiatrist as they are the only one who can issue the medication and decide on the best form of treatment.\n\nMarijuana can bring about drug induced pshychosis, am not sure if this is the case with your brothers friend but, you need to try and speak with him about cutting down on it's use.  Most people within mental health services tend to use drugs as an 'alternative' to western medicine.\n\nDon't know where you live but there are many support groups/agencies available to also speak with.  try looking at Rethink, Mind, Mencap and Nimhe websites.  Sorry don't have full web address at present.  type them in and you should get details.\n\nMost importantly though, support both your friend and brother.  A lot of people, especially the young tend to get isolated once they enter mental health services.  Once you have an understanding of mental ill health it will be easier for you to offer this support.\n\nGood Luck!
192242
Yes I do, my mother was diagnosed with both. What do you want to know about them, need more info.\n\nEmotional highs and lows are part of life for everyone. But for someone with bipolar disorder, these ups and downs can be so extreme they can interfere with daily life. Sometimes they can even be dangerous.\n\nBorderline personality disorder is a mental health condition that causes unstable emotions, impulsiveness, relationship problems, and an unstable self-image. People with the disorder often behave self-destructively, have problems managing anger, and have an intense fear of being rejected and left alone (abandoned). They often also struggle with other conditions such as depression, eating disorders, or substance abuse problems.
292525
you haven't described anything that sounds like a manic episode to me - bipolar is NOT what most people conceive of as 'mood swings'. You haven't described anything that sounds like mania. It's more than just feeling cheerful - if someone is manic, they will talk a mile a minute and might go and do all sorts of crazy things, assuming that they can do it automatically, like go and gamble away their lifes savings because they're certain they've found a 'code' that will win them millions of dollars, or they'll commit crimes because they don't realise that what they're doing is wrong at the time. And then they come down and often feel really terrible about what's happened. You haven't described anything like that.\n\nIf there has been a tragedy, it is quite normal that you could be having problems .\nReally though, you should seek out professional help. Why delay and be in pain for longer than you need to? As both a mental health professional and a sufferer of depression, I can't recommend going and seeing a psychologist enough!\n\nIf your mum isn't a professional, then she doesn't know what is wrong with you most likely. Only a professional can make any sort of diagnoses, but far more important than a diagnosis is helping you to cope better with life. It doesn't matter what you have a potential diagnosis of really.
167683
No. I'm polar.In fact, I'm bipolar. I'm sorry I can't tell you anything about it, but maybe the link below can.\n\nI hope this is helpful. Good luck.\n\nSincerely,\nTerry \n\nSource(s):\n\nhttp://www.webmd.com/search/search_resul...
19885
be honest. If she knows she is bipolar then tell her how you feel. If you just think she is, then ease her into what you want her to know. Let her feel like she is a special person, but for someone else. Let her know you will be there for her to talk and be friends. Unless you are friends and you don't want to be, then you might need a mediator, if she is as violent as you say, then you need a mediator either way. Just keep it friendly and safe, possibly away from brakable stuff. Just be honest in the best possible way. another thing, doing it over the phone or on line is being a coward. Also, if she is bi polar and you get harsh with her, she will take it as a personal attack which will only make things worse.
171898
No. I'm polar.In fact, I'm bipolar. I'm sorry I can't tell you anything about it, but maybe the link below can.\n\nI hope this is helpful. Good luck.\n\nSincerely,\nTerry
592901
People who cut or self-injure sometimes have other mental health problems that contribute to their emotional tension. Cutting is sometimes (but not always) associated with depression, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, obsessive thinking, or compulsive behaviors. It can also be a sign of mental health problems that cause people to have trouble controlling their impulses or to take unnecessary risks. Some people who cut themselves have problems with drug or alcohol abuse.
335039
I know alot of people that are bi-polar. I am an addict and I go to NA meetings every night. I have now been clean for 15 months and counting. a lot of the addict there are bi-polar. they do take prescriptions for bi-polar and they really seem to help ALONG WITH THE MEETINGS. Maybe your friend should try meetings. you can look them up on-line. some also welcome supporting family and friends.
669259
SYMPTOMS OF BIPOLAR DISORDER \n\nSymptoms of the Depression Phase \n\nThe symptoms of depression experienced in bipolar disorder are almost identical to those of major depression, the primary form of unipolar depressive disorder. They include the following: \nSad mood. \n\n\nFatigue or loss of energy. \n\n\nSleep problems (insomnia, excessive sleeping, or shallow sleep with frequent awakenings). \n\n\nWeight changes (either gain or loss). \n\n\nDiminished ability to concentrate or make decisions. \n\n\nAgitation or markedly sedentary behavior. \n\n\nFeelings of guilt, pessimism, helplessness, and low self-esteem. \n\n\nLoss of interest or pleasure in life. \n\n\nThoughts of, or attempts at, suicide. \nDepressive episodes associated with bipolar disorder often differ from those of unipolar depressive disorder in the following ways: \nPeople with unipolar depression can still experience a variety of moods, but the moods are neither elevated nor pathological and the affected person does not meet the criteria for mania. [ See Well-Connected Report #8, Depression.]\n\n\nEpisodes of depression in bipolar disorder are less likely to have a specific trigger than are those with major depression disorder. \n\n\nBipolar depression does not typically last as long as major depression (although left untreated some bipolar disorder episodes can still last six to 12 months). \n\n\nBipolar depressive episodes develop more gradually than those caused by major depression. \n\n\nDepressive symptoms in bipolar disorder patients also tend to be atypical, i.e., one sees an increase in sleep and appetite, a feeling of heaviness and slowness in the body, a tendency to feel rejected, and a preservation of volatile mood. \n\n\nOne interesting study reported that many bipolar disorder patients experienced dreams of death at the low point of their depression, and those dreams were soon followed by an upward mood change. \nSymptoms of the Acute Manic Phase \n\nThe acute manic phase is always characterized by mood elevation, either presented as exaggerated euphoria, irritability, or both. The episode lasts for at least a week or for any duration if it was severe enough to cause hospitalization. \n\nIn addition, certain other symptoms are present to assist in making a diagnosis. Some mental health professionals use the mnemonic device DIGFAST to identify them. \n\nIn general, for a diagnosis of mania, patient must have experienced either euphoria with three DIGFAST symptoms or irritability with four of these symptoms: \nD. Distractibility. This is the most common symptom and is usually characterized by the inability to pay attention to any activity for very long. \n\n\nI. Insomnia in mania typically means having high energy and requiring less sleep. (This differs from insomnia in depression, in which the patient has low energy plus an inability to sleep.) \n\n\nG. Grandiosity. Patients with this symptom have an inflated sense of themselves, which, in severe cases, can be delusional. Close to 60% of all manic patients experience feelings of omnipotence. Sometimes they feel that they are godlike or have celebrity status. \n\n\nF. Flight of ideas. Thoughts literally race. \n\n\nA. Activity. An increase in intensity in goal-directed activities occurs, which is related to social behavior, sexual activity, work, school, or combinations. \n\n\nS. Speech. Excessive talking. Is present \n\n\nT. Thoughtlessness. Excessive involvement in high-risk activities is present (e.g., unrestrained shopping, promiscuity). Mood disturbance may be severe enough to damage one's job or social functioning or relationships with others, or which require hospitalization to prevent harm to others or to the self. \nHypomania. With hypomania the symptoms of mania are milder and of shorter duration (but they last at least four days). They do not affect social or work life as dramatically. \n\nMixed or Pure Mania. Manic episodes themselves can be characterized as mixed mania or pure mani
326633
manic depression sounds like a certifiable thing but bi-polar actually sounds like an illness. Actually, I think it might be because there are so many types of depression that just calling it manic depression could mean anything. I mean you could have a manic form of any depression so they need to use a different name.
486844
trust me hun, that not cutting.im a cutter and thats not cutting not even close.\n\n\n just stop the drugs and any other habits that involve being less than sober, then figure out what is wrong with you. is there sumthing that is bugging u that make u upset or feeling like ur less than beautiful and great? if there is then fix the problem. only a doctor can diagnose things like OCD so b4 u say u hav one ask ur doctor to diagnose u, self diagnosis can harm more than anything. just talk to ur doctor. even if ur embarrassed it doesnt matter, u cant b the only one who does it and its not like hes gunna tell everyone, hes not allowed to. chill out and just talk to him.