how hallucinations start in an individual with bipolar disorder?
916083
I haven't hallucinated conclusively, so I can't definitively answer the question (everyone is different, so I doubt there is a definitive answer).\n\nThere is no cutoff between mania and manic psychosis, they just blur into one another. My manias tended to become obsessional - I would fix on an object or activity that would be the 'magic bullet' for all my problems, but then the more I obsessed, the more twisted my thinking became. At some point, it was possible to say that I was fully delusional, but you couldn't say 'at this point I became psychotic'\n\nThe only thing I have that could possibly be hallucinations is buzzing vibrations over my body, a little like a cell phone on vibrate. It can happen any time and all over my trunk. Not severe enough to warrant upping the dose of my antipsychotics though...
830027
Internet or self diagnosis is dangerous, so you need to see a doctor, but first read some background and see if it really fits...\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.
63931
A bipolar disorder is also known as a maniac disorder.  \n\nThis is a very dangerous phycholigical sickness in which a person can go completely nuts. That person may not only stop caring for their personal needs, but could also become dangerous to themselves,(could committ suicide), or dangerous to others around them,(could kill someone), if early treatment is not provided.\n\nIf you know someone with this disease, you should consult a psychologist immediately before its too late.  A person with this disease could lead a normal life with proper medication and regular visit to their psychologist. If treatment is not provided for a long time,then there is also a risk of the patient going nuts forever.
1002124
Did you know that drugs and alcohol can induce schizophrenia?  Hallucinations aren't a good thing anytime let alone, when you're buzzing, so maybe you should go see a doctor soon!  Good luck!
368783
Yes, it is possible to pass out from shock and have hallucinations.  Your friend could also be mentally ill.
690968
you do hear voices in your head when you have schizophrenia. My brother has it. You also have a lot of paranoia. It's like a break from reality, it's NOT multiple personality disorder. You might need to see a doctor.
1169051
mania is a medical/mental brain disorder caused by chemical imbalance in the brain, usually associated with a bipolar brain disorder, that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, thoughts and ability to function. Different from the normal highs and lows, is severe, it distorts moods and thoughts, and cycles with extreme depression to extreme highs.Delusions of one or many types, hyperactivity, racing thoughts, insomnia, hyper sexual, accompany the manic phase, with extreme lows,depression and even death on the other end of the scale.Person's in the manic phase may advantage and pleasure,but in reality the illness is destructive, and life threating.\n It is thought to be biological in origin but this have not been proven, although it tends to run in families. It requires medical attention, and there are many medications that can reduce the extreme highs and lows, many are non compliant with medications especial in the manic phase because of the productiveness they feel. It is a lifelong illness, can be present in childhood but usually  first breaks accure between 18-25.
806693
Aside from the fact that nothing about mania is normal, yes. My memories of manias and hypomanias can be sketchy, and this seems to be fairly common, from talking to other bipolars. And yes, the out of body thing is very familiar, too.
1127360
Bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood swings—from overly "high" and/or irritable to sad and hopeless, and then back again, often with periods of normal mood in between. Severe changes in energy and behavior go along with these changes in mood. The periods of highs and lows are called episodes of mania and depression.\nSigns and symptoms of mania (or a manic episode) include:\n\n    * Increased energy, activity, and restlessness\n    * Excessively "high," overly good, euphoric mood\n    * Extreme irritability\n    * Racing thoughts and talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another\n    * Distractibility, can't concentrate well\n    * Little sleep needed\n    * Unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities and powers\n    * Poor judgment\n    * Spending sprees\n    * A lasting period of behavior that is different from usual\n    * Increased sexual drive\n    * Abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol, and sleeping medications\n    * Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behavior\n    * Denial that anything is wrong\n\nA manic episode is diagnosed if elevated mood occurs with three or more of the other symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for 1 week or longer. If the mood is irritable, four additional symptoms must be present.\nSigns and symptoms of depression (or a depressive episode) include:\n\n    * Lasting sad, anxious, or empty mood\n    * Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism\n    * Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness\n    * Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, including sex\n    * Decreased energy, a feeling of fatigue or of being "slowed down"\n    * Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions\n    * Restlessness or irritability\n    * Sleeping too much, or can't sleep\n    * Change in appetite and/or unintended weight loss or gain\n    * Chronic pain or other persistent bodily symptoms that are not caused by physical illness or injury\n    * Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts\n\nA depressive episode is diagnosed if five or more of these symptoms last most of the day, nearly every day, for a period of 2 weeks or longer.
479180
It sounds Like you are at the begining of a long Journey.\n\n\nTo stop a high, you have to go through a medically induced LOW.  That's what the medication does, it brings you down off your high (MANIC/psychotic).  Its not fun, But this is how Bipolar disordser goes....\n\nYour symptoms are normal, weight gain and NO PSYCHOTIC EPISODE.\n\nAfter an episode it takes me 2 to 3 years to get back to normal.\n\n\nMY advice is to go with the flow, Don't get obssessed with the low, or dead feeling inside, its temporary.  If you can;\n\n\ngo for a walk\nexercise\nkeep pyshically active\n\nIt will take time to get back to normal!  Try to find a community group in your area and find others like yourself.\n\n\nGOOD LUCK!
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.).
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.
612464
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.
834968
Maybe it is some kind of hallucination.. You may wish to see a psychologist about it. Certain illness might trigger it..
895473
Bipolar disorder always has the mania component, but it doesn't always mean bouncing off the walls, not sleeping, being extremely creative, etc. That's Bipolar I. With Bipolar II, you tend to have more depressive episodes than manic ones, and your manic episodes may just look like what would be a good mood for a "normal" person. This would be what you're describing as cycling from depressed to normal and back again. Manic episodes with Bipolar II can also manifest as extreme irritability and/or anger, even rage. If you suspect you may have Bipolar Disorder (or any other psychological problem), please seek help. It doesn't make you weak to get help or to take medication. BD is a real illness and is even considered potentially fatal because of the number of those afflicted who commit suicide. Please talk to a professional as soon as possible.
388351
having had to stay awake for long periods whilst serving in armed forces yes i have hallucinated. It is so disconcerting especially when its night time, looking through your night vision equipment, and you see what looks like a woman climbing a tree and hanging herself (other ppl i found out later had a similar hallucination) or you look over and it looks like your buddy is missing half his face. There have been some pretty far out ones!
137627
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder, sufferers experience mood swings that are far beyond what most normal people do.