Is anyone suffering from bipolar disorder?
467456
I'm actually doing a project/report on bipolar disorder
2976
There is no cure for bipolar disorder; the emphasis is on management of the symptoms. A variety of medications are used to treat bipolar disorder; many people with bipolar disorder require multiple medications (sometimes up to five). Some people with bipolar disorder add to or replace their Western medication with herbal or holistic options. Still, even with optimal medication treatment, many people with the illness have some residual symptoms. Cognitive therapy may work to lessen the severity of mood swings by recognizing and managing triggering symptoms or events.
455665
Bipolar and mania are MILD mental disorders?  I'd like to know how you came up with that definition!\n\nPeople with bipolar are usually aware of when they are depressed, but not necessarily when they are manic, as mania is often experienced as a positive feeling - being ultra happy, feeling invincible etc
1157709
I usually listen to people with experience,my son is bipolar\nand its been no picnic,dealing with shrinks,counselors,hospitals\nand social workers,I know what u r going thru,I hope the best for you,,,,,,
57053
Please see a psychologist immediately.  You may be suffering from Bi-polar disorder.
574674
My daughter who is now 28 has bipolar.  She was diagnosed in her late teens and was in denial for quite along time.\nShe fought it, tried self medicating, refused to take any pills.  She was a mess.  This is an illness that will stay with you as they have yet to find a cure.  The good news that with the right combination of medications a good support system you can learn to cope and indeed have a good life.  Bi-polar has nothing to do with you not being you- it is a chemistry disorder and that is not your fault.
92587
Talk to you psychiatrist.  The most notable clinical feature of bipolar disorder is dramatic mood swings.  As compared to an anxiety disorder or depression where your moods will may be impacted by external factors, but will otherwise remain relatively level, in bipolar disorder patients cycle through periods of mania and depression.  But you should really really talk to your psychiatrist - I assure you he or she knows a lot more about it that I do.  Also, antidepressents effect your mood (obviously - that's the whole point), and may be responsible for some or all of you symptoms.  Your doctor may want to try a different anti-depressent or take you off them entirely for a while before deciding on a new diagnosis.\n\nPS. Anti-depressants are a standard treatment for anxiety disorders.
373549
Just tell them about how you feel. Tell them if anyone else in the family has depression or bipolar disorder because sometimes it runs in the family. It is important to tell your doctor though, because they can help you. My son and I both have depression, and my ex has bi-polar. We take medication and it helps a whole lot. It wasn't hard to talk to my doctor at all.
305412
Hey, I am bipolar and your symptoms fit for bipolar but could be other problems as well. Without more info it's hard to tell. I'm not a doctor so I would never attempt a diagnosis anyway. But check the symptoms on the page link below.  If those symptoms don't fit then go to the sites home page and search for other mental conditions. The site is the National Institute of Mental Health and is 100% free and run by the government. Hope it helps and Good luck!
778810
Far fewer people are bipolar than you may think...\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.
848537
Jill, God there are some crap answers here!\n\nRight off, let me say that I am bipolar and was diagnosed about a year and a half ago. My meds are working excellently and there is no reason that yours should not either.\n\nTo answer your question: yes, absolutely. Hypersexuality (an increased need for sex) is a classic symptom of bipolar mania or hypomania. The definition of Bipolar Disorder is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Current_diagnostic_criteria_for_bipolar_disorder  for what it's worth.\n\nSo in response to all the answers calling you a s!ut and irresponsible, ignore them. Right now you are ill and need treatment. Your behaviour is a symptom, not the way you are.\n\nI'd like to suggest that you come and discuss this with other sufferers - there are many online support groups, bu the two I use are http://www.crazyboards.org (don't be put off by the name!) and http://z9.invisionfree.com/Bipolar_Haven
1010245
Part of the problem with people with untreated bi-polar disorder is that the manic episodes are often so great feeling (lots of energy, creativity, etc.) that they don't WANT treatment. That's if they even recognize it as such. As not only the parent of a child with Bi polar Disorder, but also a patient with it, I understand that, yet I know that the crash that always follows is not worth it...to me.  \n\nWithout the person accepting their problem, regardless of what it is (mental health issue or otherwise), there's no way to get them to seek treatment. \n\nWhile it's good of you to be supportive, there comes a point where self-preservation for you must come first...at least until the person accepts the situations and takes action.  This is especially true if you suffer from depressive symptoms yourself.  I find when I'm around depressed people, my own depression worsens or kicks in. \n\nGood luck in coping with this. I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help.
448564
I'm bipolar. The predominant symptom with me is the depression. It is dark, empty and so incredibly lonely. I tried to commit suicide 4 years ago and that wasn't even my low point. There are other symptoms too like anxiety, paranoia, social anxiety, ocd....I've been married twice (one time for only 3 months) I've claimed personal bankruptcy twice and have moved 10 times over the past 8 years. I maintained a great career for 12 years as an illustrator but lost my job 14 months ago when I went manic and got into drugs like pot, cocaine and ecstasy. Last year I was in a mental hospital 3 times for 1-2 weeks each time. It seems like I've been on every mood stabilizer under the sun like risperdal, lithium, epival, olanzapine and anti-depressants like paxil, effexor and wellbutrin.\nI've been on an anti-seizure med called lamotrigine/lamactil and wellbutrin since January and I'm doing great (knock on wood). Currently I'm back in school ironically to become a pharmacy technician.\nAs rotten as all that stuff sounds I think there is hope for people with bipolar. The most important thing is to not make the same mistake when I stopped taking my meds. The meds are for a reason and when we feel better it's because of the meds and a good reason to keep taking them.\nI've got a daughter and not a day goes by without me praying that she never has to go through the same pain that I've gone through.
285314
Bipolar disorder, often referred to colloquially as manic depression, is a diagnosis describing a mood disorder where person cycles between states of depression and mania (or hypomania). Mood swings occur significantly enough to interfere with an individual's ability to function on a daily basis. The majority of people diagnosed with bipolar suffer largely from depression. Bipolar depression is believed to affect approximately 1% of the general population and 10% of people suffering from depression.\n\nEmil Kraepelin (1856-1926), a German psychiatrist who first proposed the existence of an illness he coined "manic depression", noted in his original description that intervals of acute illness, manic or depressive, were generally punctuated by relatively symptom-free intervals in which a patient was able to function normally.\n\nTo that point, there are currently three types of bipolar disorder outlined by the DSM-IV-TR and generally accepted within the medical community: Bipolar I, Bipolar II, and Cyclothymia. Like many disorders involving brain chemistry, bipolar disorder is still under investigation, and symptoms may differ significantly from person to person. Typically, symptoms include periods of euphoria, which alternate with periods of profound depression. In most cases, periods of mood stability complement these periods of instability.
711564
Yeah you should check with your doctor.  Bipolar is a very severe illness and you shouldn't ingest anything without knowing what affect it will have on your mood
397431
If your serious about how your feeling.....happy then sad. Then you might want to consider seeking medical attention....bipolar depression is very common. There is a treatment of medicine and counseling out there. If your interested in finding out more then go to this site: psychcentral.com/quizzes/bipolarquiz   Best Wishes. :)
1160815
Well judging by your nickname(depressed in Mexico) key word, depressed; I would suggest that you consult a Doctor who specializes in this area. You can be depressed and experience moodswings as well. there are a few diagnoses with these symptoms. one is Bi-Polar. bipolar causes severe moodswings. one day or even weeks at a time you can experience severe depression, and without any warning, you experience severe moodswings for example; instead of feeling depression, asudden feeling of mania takes over your thoughts,actions and behavior in an out of control manner. your moods become unpredictable this can be successfully treated and with proper treatment, you can live your life happily. Another one is depression alone these two dsorders are medical illnesses, and there are excellent treatments available that help people with these illnesses to live a normal and happy life. These illnesses are nothing to be ashamed of.Actually, the fact that you even asked your question is a positive step towards a successful recovery.Why do I know about this area? well, I happen to have bipolar,depression, and panic disorder(from PTSD). But, noone would ever know!! I live a happy, fulfilling and successful life. I DON'T KNOWMUCH about any specific diet or foods etc. But, if you need to talk please don't hesitate to e-mail me at: justicejamie888@yahoo.com.Everything will be kept in the strictest confidence. I help others in need as well.lhope i helped you in any way. take care of yourself and fel freeto e-mail me. sincerely, justicejanmie888@yahoo.com A.K.A.:Jamie K.