bipolar symptoms? How would I approach getting help?
I have a question regarding the symptoms of bipolar disorder. I hope this isnt against any rules? I dont want a diagnosis, jw if anyone else has simmilar patterns of behaviour. I feel like a weirdo! My family are so freaked out by me, there all normal! It must be disconcerting for them.
I'm pretty sure I suffer from some form of Bipolar disorder. for example i have kinda cyclical moods that change rapidly and unexpectadly, I can only describe it as a scary rollercoaster. It has definatly got worse recently. I feel like two diffrent people a lot of the time. There's the good days: characterised by excitement, euphoria. Its like im on speed! In short the way I look at the world is different I would say everything is brighter: I love it!
However, the lows I experience are crushing. I only usually cut when its one of those days. I just feel bleak and morbid, and theres no cause of it, as in nothing especially bad happens then. My motivation to do anything goes, and its difficult to get out of bed.
One of the biggest things that is affected is my appetite. It fluctuates rapidly. I havn't had anything to eat today, but I dont care, and I'm not hungry. On the flipside i can eat 10x the rda of food during a low period, and i have such a ****ed up view of food already. This really isnt helping. :( Sorry to bother you people, but giving the stupid essay iv writen above, you may be able to guess today is a happy day for me, A high day as I call them and im really afraid of the next low that will inevitably follow. Im not sure if this behaviour is normal? if not, how could i look at helping ease the transition between moods? I know this is a lot to ask.
Last edited by livelaughlove : 31-03-2010 at 03:46 PM.
Well i do have very similar patterns of behaviour but I'm diagnosed schizoaffective, bipolar type which explains it. Have you spoken to a doctor about this at all?
If you were diagnosed as bipolar then you would probably be prescribed a mood stabilising medication which would reduce the severity of your mood swings.
what age are you?
a diagnosis probably wouldn't happen officially until you are 18 as this could be put down to hormones in the meantime.
xx
Stop thinking about what I want, what he wants, what your parents want. What do you want?
it's not too personal at all :)
I'm prescribed Lithium but i don't take it, i just put up with the moods function as best i can within each phase. usually getting a lot done during the highs which make up for unproductive lows. i also find the extremities help me creatively as i'm currently studying creative writing. i wouldn't necessarily advise you avoiding medication if it were suggested for you though. i'm 24 and have had 13 years to get used to this illness and learn how to deal with it without meds.
i can really empathise with finding it difficult to talk to people face to face about your emotions. you could maybe write something down for the doctor to read instead and also maybe take a friend to back up what you say about your behaviour. someone elses perspective can often help in these situations.
how come your mum canceled the appointment?
xx
Stop thinking about what I want, what he wants, what your parents want. What do you want?
shes a social worker, and said it wouldnt really help. :/
I get what you mean about using the highs to your advantage. I usually do twice the ammount of school work than I would normally do.
Thats a good idea about going to the doctors with a letter. What age did you go at?
i was twelve when i went to the GP. she asked for my parents to come in because she needed their consent to put me on anti-depressants for 'reactive depression.' looking back though i think i would have rather avoided going on medication so young.
Stop thinking about what I want, what he wants, what your parents want. What do you want?
Wow, That is young. If i had been at eleven, I wouldnt have been able to make the right choice. The thing is, I really dont like my GP. He was patronising when I went to see him about my self harm, and basically said: its up to you, stop if you want to, theres nothing I can do. It was a while ago but I still detest him. I'm not sure he would take me seriously again, you know he would probably make all the right steps, but i dont think I could put up with him. ahhhh. Im so frustrated!
you can ask to see a different GP at the same surgery. you don't have to see the same one if you don't get on with them. some GPs really just don't 'get' self harm etc. hopefully a doctor will refer you on to someone with more experience with things like that. more understanding.
i hope you feel less frustrated by now. i can empathise with how stressful it all is.
xx
Stop thinking about what I want, what he wants, what your parents want. What do you want?
You pretty much described me in the first post. A while ago I went to the counseler at our school, because she was the only one I could go to about it, because I thought I was bipolar. She told my parents and my parents told me to stop being dramatic and trying to get attention. So I just let it go from that point, and two years later (last year), I started getting into self injury.
But that's what's been going on with me. For a while I figured it was just hormones, but I don't see what kind of hormones can do this to a person. So I really don't know what going on me. But I have the same feelings, about eating and moods, etc. If that helps. :/
You pretty much described me in the first post. A while ago I went to the counseler at our school, because she was the only one I could go to about it, because I thought I was bipolar. She told my parents and my parents told me to stop being dramatic and trying to get attention.
Thanks for your replies, its nice not to feel so weird!
We are like mirror images here! I've only ever spoken the school counseller about it, (besides the lovely people on ryl :D) ,who told me not to worry it was a 'phase'
But when I did tell my mum about my fears she said i was imagining things, and I should 'get out of my own head' How is that even possible? I get what she means, its just hard when you feel like you have no control over how you feel, or how you're going to feel in the morning.
Have you ever thought about going to your doctor by yourself?
Thanks for your replies, its nice not to feel so weird!
We are like mirror images here! I've only ever spoken the school counseller about it, (besides the lovely people on ryl :D) ,who told me not to worry it was a 'phase'
But when I did tell my mum about my fears she said i was imagining things, and I should 'get out of my own head' How is that even possible? I get what she means, its just hard when you feel like you have no control over how you feel, or how you're going to feel in the morning.
Have you ever thought about going to your doctor by yourself?
I've thought about everything. But I couldn't afford it. I wouldn't be able to explain it to my parents. So the only real option I have it just waiting until I graduate and then doing something. But meh. I just have to suck it up until then.
And my mom told me that mental illnesses aren't real, that they're a figment of my imagination and if I wanted the feelings to stop, all I had to do was stop.
Tried that too. Mom's don't always know what's best.
"I've thought about everything. But I couldn't afford it."
Oh, that just shows how much i take the NHS for granted, despite all its faults! That must be so so infuritiating. Wanting to seek help but having to get on with things. Is there no mental health services through your College/school?
I really cant sleep! How are you doing?
My friend asked me if I was bipolar, and I was surprised and looked it up... There are tests online to see if you might have it, they say THIS IS NOT A DIAGNOSIS but I did a few, and the results made me think that yes, I do need to go to a doctor about this. I haven't been yet, but I will.
I really don't wanna take meds though... that's what scares me..
So if you wanna burn yourself remember that I love you
And if you wanna cut yourself remember that I love you
And if you wanna kill yourself remember that I love you
Call me up before you're dead
We can make some plans instead
Send me an IM, I'll be your friend Kimya Dawson - Loose Lips - Juno Soundtrack
Yeah, but I have issues and fears. I don't want to go into it.
Do they put you on meds as a default? Because I really don't want that...
So if you wanna burn yourself remember that I love you
And if you wanna cut yourself remember that I love you
And if you wanna kill yourself remember that I love you
Call me up before you're dead
We can make some plans instead
Send me an IM, I'll be your friend Kimya Dawson - Loose Lips - Juno Soundtrack
They tend to, if the bipolar is effecting your life that much, which I think it would be in order to get a diagnosis for it at all.
Some people claim that certain natural supplements can work instead. Like high doses of omega 3 and such, but that's still a tablet of sorts.
Stop thinking about what I want, what he wants, what your parents want. What do you want?
So if you wanna burn yourself remember that I love you
And if you wanna cut yourself remember that I love you
And if you wanna kill yourself remember that I love you
Call me up before you're dead
We can make some plans instead
Send me an IM, I'll be your friend Kimya Dawson - Loose Lips - Juno Soundtrack
If the moods are incredibly swift in changing - i.e. days, it could be Cyclothymia (a form of Bipolar without the Psychosis in Mania). I think Bipolar moods last a bit longer but Cycl. may be what's termed as 'a mild' form of Bipolar, but it's not so don't feel I am belittling your emotions as my friend has Cycl. and she has a terrible time so I feel it's harsh to call it 'mild' but that is the only way I have read it described.
Sorry rambling - yes, I know where you are coming from on the moods though -so definately check it out with a professional (although that said I have mentioned mine like 5 times ot my GP so make sure you keep telling me and persist).
xx
"John, being brave is going where no man has gone before and with Lizzy Stark, that is NOT what you'll be doing!" - Aunt Polly.
“I told him I was going to betray you, and betray Lyra, and he believed me because I was corrupt and full of wickedness; he looked so deep I felt sure he'd see the truth. But I lied too well. I was lying with every nerve and fiber and everything I'd ever done...I wanted him to find no good in me, and he didn't. There is none.”
I've thought about everything. But I couldn't afford it. I wouldn't be able to explain it to my parents. So the only real option I have it just waiting until I graduate and then doing something. But meh. I just have to suck it up until then.
And my mom told me that mental illnesses aren't real, that they're a figment of my imagination and if I wanted the feelings to stop, all I had to do was stop.
Tried that too. Mom's don't always know what's best.
AHH! I'm not the only one!! My mum just doesn't believe in mental illness. She tells me it's all in the head - then laughs.
"John, being brave is going where no man has gone before and with Lizzy Stark, that is NOT what you'll be doing!" - Aunt Polly.
“I told him I was going to betray you, and betray Lyra, and he believed me because I was corrupt and full of wickedness; he looked so deep I felt sure he'd see the truth. But I lied too well. I was lying with every nerve and fiber and everything I'd ever done...I wanted him to find no good in me, and he didn't. There is none.”
