How do I know I'm bipolar?

[restlesslilly]

I have had two therapists tell me they believe strongly I am bipolar. I lost my medical insurance before I could get to a psychiatrist to speak with him. I am on no meds now, can't afford it, and things have been getting worse.

At least once a week now I will become overcme with severe depression. I always feel depressed, but it will suddenly get worse fr no reason. Then, maybe a few days later, I'm fine. Or worse, I'm more than fine and am 100% positive about my future and life and get lots done. I have times when I am hyper, when my mind races...at least once a month when I can't sleep because my mind won't shut up.

I have been diagnosed with depression, anxiety, social anxiety, ptsd, and borderline. I know a lot of these symptoms overlap and its so confusing to know whats causing my current mood. My moods change constantly it seems and extremely, and it gets exhausting.

Is this bipolar, or just my other illnesses? After a year of flunking out of college I finally passed two classes last semester. I know there's no way I'm going to make it through school without help. I' scared and I just don't know what to do.

Does what I explained sound like bipolar? Just thought I'd ask those who have it. Thanks

 

[berry2000]

Well we try really hard here not to diagnose other people because we are not professionals. And we only have the information that you have provided which is only a small part of what doctors will use to diagnose. There are lots of websites that have self assesment quizzes like the kind a doctor would use.

But based on what you described it could be bipolar.

MOre important than diagnosis, although it does help, is that you are safe and have the support you need. Is there anyway for you to get insurance or get on some state, or school program. That way you can get the medication that it sounds like would really help atleast for the depression end of it? That would be a good place to start. Often a person's reponse to antidepressants will help finalize whether or not they are bipolar.

I am glad you are here posting with us. This is a group of really supportive people who do understand and themselves battle with a lot of the symtoms that you describe.

For me I can totally relation to the depression end of it, athough my hypomania is not as bad as you describe and is only mildly present due to the antidepressants pushing me in that direction. Still i have received a bipolar diagonsis. With or without the diagnosis you are always welcome to join us here.

 

[DoubtingThomas29]

I think you need Social Security Disability. They will cover your medical with some fees, but they are payable and they will give you a little check.

I am telling you right now from personal experience there is no way to tell if you are yourself hypomanic, it is so hard to tell, I swear only a doctor can do it.

I take my meds all the time and I still to my perception of reality, I still get manic, I mean I get all mad at people ,and feel wronged in some way, like it has to be made right like right away even. I just hurt sometimes emotionlly. I like to believe I am harmless, but I don't even know sometimes.

I have never commited any violent crime or offense for as long as I have been alive, that is something I am proud of, and keeps one step above the slim balls that are out there. However, I must maintain control of myself, and control my anger. I think it is okay to stick up for yourself and we have to do it, but you can't carry it too far, and realize when you have to walk away, and leave the person alone. Just go your seperate way, and forgive and forget. As much as you can. It is like the only way to insure a good recovery from when some terrible angry spell hits me.

The other night I was so shook up from being angry for a little while that I didn't fall asleep until six or seven in the morning. It took from 1:30 am to calm down enough so by six am I could sleep. That could be from being manic, and my medication just might not be able to stop it for all I know. I take it everyday and I still have those terrible mood swings, that almost make no sense.

I am trying to make my life better, and that helps me keep some quality of life, that I believe it is going to get better, it is not going to be this miserable all the time. I am not going to hurt like this forever. We all have our bad emotional days but I can get angry right out of the blue now.

I need to quit my job in September and get another one this is draging me down too much. I know I got bipolar but this is hard. Life is hard, and it sucks.

Oh well it will get better by September for sure, I might talk to my doctor again if this keeps being bothersome, I am keeping an eye on it.

Thomas

 

[Meshavrischika]

Like everyone else I am no expert.

Ten years ago I was diagnosed bipolar with borderline personality disorder. I was a single mom, in school, with no steady income. I sought help with MHMR but was disappointed with their response to my needs (they will only expedite your appointment in my area if you are suicidal). There are lots of other places to find help though. I went to a sliding scale clinic training psychologists/psychiatrists and saw a student who was supervised by an MD/PhD. The visits only cost me 8 dollars. Places like this can also hook you up with a free clinic to get meds, and alot of pharmaceutical (sp?) companies offer free/reduced price medications if you can prove you are low income. You might look online. I can tell you that in the Austin, Texas area there is Capital Area Mental Health Associates and they may be able to direct you to similar programs in your area.

God bless and good luck.

 

[angelkiss]

Those highs and lows you talk about........that's my life on an everyday basis. Even though I'm on meds, I still ride the rollercoaster from the time I get up to the time I go to bed. The meds have slowed it down enough to where I can still function although my mind is still on over-drive. Without meds, I don't sleep. I've not been able to hold a job down for years. I tried writing school. I got accepted into the Institute of Children's Literature, a school that only a third of the people who take the aptitude test pass, and I was one that passed. I was so excited cause passing is the only way you get into the school. Due to a break up in marriage I couldn't finish the course but they said that I could pick it back up when I could. I got on my feet again and tried again and ended up drop'n the course cause it was so over-whelming.
I never make plans unless necessary. My appt's with the therapist are a struggle for me. My life has been this instability for many years.
I can't give you a dignosis, but with ANY illness, not just bipolar, it's important that you seek treatment asap if possible. The earlier you start treatment, the better. Any meds or counseling that you are ordered to take................it is VERY important that you follow through and not quit. Especially meds. If you are ever prescribed meds, do not quit them cold turkey. Always talk with your doc about it first. The outcome can be much worse than what it started out by quitting them on your own. I tried it............. It landed me in hospitalization on the psych ward 8 times. (6 of the 8 were due to stopping meds.)
Sorry for being so long-winded. If you ever need to talk, please feel free to pm me.
Our prayers are with you!
's and es!!

 

[Auston]

After decades of trying to figure out what was going on with me a psychologist finally suggested I might be suffering from Manic Depression, or bipolar disorder. As I read up on the symptoms I found myself literally weeping at this thing that had ravaged my being for so long. I could not see it before. In the manic stage I felt like I was being productive and it was what I strived for as a man, a christian, a worker, and in every area of my life. Invariably the crash would occur and I would find myself depressed, and figuring out how to once again reach the high. I had assigned fault to many things that I felt made me fall off the desired highend and into the pit of depression. Unfortunately I had blamed those closest to me for the feelings I could not control. It has wreaked havoc in my life. Medication is the next step. It feels good to finally have an answer for something that has cost me so much.