what are the signs of bipolar ?
81397
The word "bipolar" is simply a label used to categorise a list of psychosocial traits that Psychiatry considers to be improper or abnormal in society. Psychiatry defines these traits as a "mental illness", and promotes it as a "disease" that requires "treatment".\n\nIt is not a "disease", despite claims or implications made by certain psychiatric and pharmaceutical organisations. There is NO credible scientific evidence that shows the existence of what constitutes "bipolar" as a biological/neurological disorder, brain abnormality or "chemical imbalance".\n\n"For a disease to exist there must be a tangible, objective physical abnormality that can be determined by a test such as, but not limited to, blood or urine test, X-Ray, brain scan or biopsy. All reputable doctors would agree: No physical abnormality, no disease. In psychiatry, no test or brain scan exists to prove that a 'mental disorder' is a physical disease. Disingenuous comparisons between physical and mental illness and medicine are simply part of psychiatry's orchestrated but fraudulent public relations and marketing campaign." Fred Baughman, MD., Neurologist & Pediatric Neurologist.\n\n"Chemical imbalance…it’s a shorthand term really, it’s probably drug industry derived… We don’t have tests because to do it, you’d probably have to take a chunk of brain out of someone - not a good idea." Dr. Mark Graff, Chair of the Committee of Public Affairs for the American Psychiatric Association. July, 2005.\n\nSymptoms that psychiatry labels as "bipolar" (or it's related disorders), can stem from any number of variable sources. Many people, for example, have overcome "bipolar" through megavitamin therapy and effective nutrition. A growing wealth of evidence supports that underlying nutritional deficiencies can cause even the most severe mental disorders, including symptoms labelled as "schizophrenia" [See source refs]\n\nBottom line? Psychiatry is a belief-system, a "faith", not a science. Despite the huge marketing strategies, the so-called "research" and all the propaganda thrown at the world, there is not one iota of scientific evidence that proves that "schizophrenia" or ANY mental illness, in fact, exists as an actual --medical disease--.\n\nIf you have been told differently then know this: You have been lied to.\n\nFor more information, please visit:\n\nhttp://groups.msn.com/psychbusters\nDecoding Psychiatric Propaganda\n\nFor information on non-drug / alternative approaches:\n- http://www.alternativementalhealth.com/articles/default.htm#B\n- http://www.pendulum.org/articles/articles_misc_lisaalt.html\n- http://www.truehope.com/_empowerplus/empowerplus.asp\n- http://www.mentalhealthproject.com/content.asp?id_Content=1575
551705
That sounds pretty weird that your doctor after only 2 visits would diagnose you with bipolar right away. It's really tricky to diagnose because it's so complex. Bipolar has a lot of similar symptoms as other disorders. The best way to really find out what's wrong with you is to tell your doctor EVERYTHING that you feel. Write stuff down between visits so you don't forget to tell her about some things that may be important. Plus, you might be feeling different when you go see her and not be able to explain how you were feeling inbetween. Communication is SOOO important because there's no other way they can tell what's wrong. As far as meds goes....you've got to be patient because different meds work for different people and the side effects are different from person to person too. It's trial and error and the same thing applies....you HAVE to tell your doctor everything that you're feeling.
725393
Education. Read the Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide (Amazon link below). It's an excellent book on th esubject, and will give you a very good idea what to expect and how to deal with it.\n\nYou should also visit one of the many online support groups below.
66685
Absolutely! Oftentimes a bipolar individual will be aware of the change between manic/depressed phases ... but during the "healthy" phase, he-or-she doesn't feel the need to do anything about it, and during the depressed phase, the person is too depressed to get help. If you recognize that pattern happening in your life, make an appointment with a PhD or a counselor. Getting a professional diagnosis is the first step to getting balance in your life!\n\nBe aware, though, that regular mood shifts are normal in most people, especially as the seasons turn or holidays pass. Most people can be treated without medication by adjusting things in their home and work environment (i.e. better lighting, adjusting diet or exercise routines, etc.).
960886
I suffer from bipolar 1 disorder, so I feel you on this one... are you taking meds or seeing a doctor?  I know you're probably going to hear that from everyone but its the best advice.  Besides that, try writing in a journal or even on your computer every day.  List everything positive that happened to you that day.  Even the smallest thing can be positive.  For example, if you go to the store and someone holds the door open for you and smiles.  That's positive.  Try to list these small details and review them every night... it always helps me feel better to look back at the small, positive things that happened throughout the day because those are things that often get overlooked.  Best wishes- I know you'll get through this.  Just remind yourself, "This too shall pass".
1174967
Bipolar diagnosis is this decade's equivalent to co-dependence in the 80s and ADD in the 90s. It's something that everyone has that becomes a bigger problem the more you fear it.\n\nThere are evolutionary reasons for bipolar symptoms. Your best bet is to get some professional help dealing with the underlying causes from someone who is willing to look beyond covering up the problem with medication. Even alternative medicines are a sign that you've given up hope trying to deal with the cause. Chemical imbalances are founded in a deeper problem. The underlying issue can be rooted out when it isn't covered up.
95612
In a nutshell...Bipolar is a cyclic changing from manic good moods to low depression. Borderline is characterized by see everying in black and white - no middle ground. For more info see below.\n\n\nBipolar Disorder\nBipolar disorder is a condition that causes extreme shifts in mood, energy, and functioning. In most populations it affects around 1 percent of the population. Men and women are equally likely to develop this often-disabling illness. The disorder typically emerges in adolescence or early adulthood and affects sufferers throughout their lifespan. \n\nAlthough traditionally thought of as an adult disorder, there is now recognition that children also suffer from bipolar disorder. There are no definite known causes. Scientists believe that Bipolar Disorder may be caused by a combination of biological and psychological factors. Most commonly the onset of this disorder can be linked to stressful life events. Cycles, or episodes, of depression, mania, or "mixed" manic and depressive symptoms typically recur and may become more frequent, often disrupting work, school, family, and social life. \n\nThe "kindling" theory suggests that persons who are genetically prone (toward bipolar) experience a series of stressful events, each of which lowers the threshold at which mood changes occur. Then at some point these mood changes occur spontaneously. The person then "becomes bipolar". This might explain why the cause of bipolar is difficult to pinpoint but is somehow related to genetics and environment.\n\nBorderline Personality Disorder\nBorderline personality disorder (BPD) is a personality disorder characterised by extreme 'black and white' thinking, mood swings, emotional reasoning, disrupted relationships and difficulty in functioning in a way society accepts as normal.\n\nThe name comes from the DSM-IV-TR; the ICD-10 in Europe has an equivalent called Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder. Psychiatrists describe borderline personality disorder as a serious mental illness characterized by pervasive instability in moods, interpersonal relationships, self-image, and behavior. This instability often disrupts family and work life, long-term planning, and the individual's sense of self-identity.\n\nOriginally thought to be at the "borderline" between psychosis and neurosis, people with BPD suffer from a disorder of emotion regulation. While less well-known than schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (manic-depression), BPD is more common, affecting two percent of adults, mostly young women. There is a high rate of self-injury without suicidal intent, as well as a significant rate of suicide attempts and completed suicide in severe cases. \n\nIn some instances people with BPD kill themselves by accident in a case of self-injury that goes too far. Patients often need extensive mental health services, and they account for 20 percent of psychiatric hospitalizations. With help, however, many will improve over time and are eventually able to lead productive lives.
248502
I'm a clinical pyschologist and these sound like symptoms of bipolar! Being tested for this is the best way to tell if he has it. When a person is diagnosed for biopolar, there is really nothing one can do to help there negative moods! The best way is to get him tested! Good luck!!
946053
Not likely to be bipolar. Here's the lowdown, I think you'll find very few of the criteria fit.\n\nOK, so it's a mood disorder and a serious mental illness. It has a strong genetic component, but appears to be triggered environmentally. There are no diagnostic tests for it, just psychiatric evaluation. Most sufferers are not diagnosed until middle age, and it takes an average of around 8-10 years to get a correct diagnosis. Historically, figures suggested it affects about 0.8% of the population at some point, which makes it about half as common as schizophrenia. In recent years, bipolar disorder has become an 'in' diagnosis, and many more people are being diagnosed at younger and younger ages. As with ADHD, this fad may well pass with time, although for the moment many celebrities appear to be 'popularising' it.\n\nIt is characterised by episodes of severe clinical depression and mania or hypomania (for definitions of those, see here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Current_diagnostic_criteria_for_bipolar_disorder ). The extreme end of mania often turns into psychosis, complete with hallucinations and delusions. During manic phases, the person's judgement and perception of reality is severely compromised, leading to risky actions with potentially damaging consequences (financially, sexually and relationship-wise). Untreated, episodes generally worsen over time due to an effect known as kindling. Untreated Bipolar sufferers are at a very high risk of suicide: 20-25% attempt it, and 15% succeed.\n\nThe cycles in bipolar disorder are much longer than people generally believe. Anyone whose mood changes from minute to minute is very unlikely to be bipolar. Bipolar 1 is characterised by mood episodes lasting many months, while Bipolar 2 has episodes in the region of weeks to months. Rapid and ultra-rapid cycling bipolar disorder is rare, and cycles last days to weeks.\n\nThere are many drugs available to treat the symptoms of bipolar (there is no cure). These are either anti-convulsants or anti-psychotics (personally I take both), and the most well known of these is Lithium. Most patients will go through a number of different drugs before finding one that works for them.
515811
I had problems much like you describe. I was also depressed a lot of the time. After years of anger and depression I found out that I was bipolar. I am taking medication now for the last 3 months. Things are going very well for me now. I'm not saying you are bipolar, but it is something to consider. If you are bipolar the anger management or behavioral therapy will do little good because bipolar disorder is not a behavioral problem. It is a medical problem caused by an imbalance of chemicals used by the brain. There are many good medications that can be used to treat it but it is a life long disorder that will take treatment your entire life. The good news is that it is well managed with the meds and you can expect to live a fulfilling and productive life. Check the website I link to below for more info on bipolar disorder. Good luck and contact me if you want or need more info.\n\nSincerely,\nTerry
912987
No.  If you were in mania, you would be hyper and unable to sleep, and fully functioning on an abnormally low amount of sleep.  some people with depression sleep very long hours or spend a lot of time in bed staring at the ceiling.  Some people with depression have insomnia.  \n Sleep is not a reliable indicator of bipolar disorder.   Mood swings, reckless behavior, delusions, walking and talking faster than normal, having more energy than usual are typical symptoms of the mania phase of bipolar.
1106593
Yes, if you don't get treatment for it you could make it worse. The bipolar state puts stress on the brain and other parts of your body. You could end up in a vegetable state,
706202
There are two major Bipolar types (I and II).. There are also some subsets.  All have to do with type and frequency of mood changes.  Doctors use something called the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual.  You could get a copy and read all the choices, but then, if you're like me, you'll probably think that you fit all of them.  Ask your doctor about it and he/she will be able to explain it clearly and to explain your particular diagnosis to you.
508461
You can try this one.\n\nwww.BipolarSupporter.com
380882
Major depressive disorder—what people commonly call “depression”—and bipolar disorder do have some symptoms in common. However, they are two different conditions that require different treatments. \n\nIn general, major depressive disorder involves overwhelming feelings of sadness, worthlessness and hopelessness. Bipolar disorder involves episodes of depression but also episodes of mania—symptoms of which can include excessive energy, extreme irritability or “out of control” behavior. (People with depression do not experience manic episodes.)
476188
headaches \ndizziness \nmood lability \ngastrointestinal upset \nrecurrence of depression \nbizarre dreams \nparaesthesiae \nauditory hallucinations \nnausea \nvomiting \nsexual dysfunction \nhypotension \nconstipation \nsweating \nanxiety \nconvulsions \nsleeplessness \npalpitations \ntremor \nabdominal pain \nrash \nhypertension
939794
Bipolar disorder (previously known as Manic Depression) is a psychiatric diagnostic category describing a class of mood disorders in which the person experiences clinical depression and/or mania, hypomania, and/or mixed states. The disorder can cause great distress among those afflicted and those living with them. Bipolar disorder can be a disabling condition, with a higher-than-average risk of death through suicide.\n\nThe difference between bipolar disorder and unipolar disorder (also called major depression) is that bipolar disorder involves both elevated and depressive mood states. The duration and intensity of mood states varies widely among people with the illness. Fluctuating from one mood state to the next is called "cycling". Mood swings can cause impairment or improved functioning depending on their direction (up or down) and severity (mild to severe). There can be changes in one's energy level, sleep pattern, activity level, social rhythms and cognitive functioning. Some people may have difficulty functioning during these times.\n\n\n\n\nBipolar disorder is often a life-long condition that must be carefully managed. Because there is so much variation in severity and nature of mood problems, it is increasingly being called bipolar spectrum disorder. The spectrum concept refers to subtypes of bipolar disorder or a continuum of mood problems, that can include sub-syndromal (below the symptom threshold for categorical diagnosis) symptoms. Nassir Ghaemi, M.D., has also contributed to the development of a bipolar spectrum questionnaire. The full bipolar spectrum includes all states or phases of the bipolar disorders.\n\nKraepelin's (1921) construct is useful for primary care clinicians, patients and families. It describes variations in two directions (mania and depression) and of three aspects: mood, activity and thinking.