Hey guys.
I was diagnosed with depression many years ago. 2 years ago I was put on anti depressants. I tried 3 different types. They didn't work for me so I stopped taking them about 8 months ago.
Recently I've had a chat with my cousin (who is like my best friend/mom to me) about things and she believes that I may have bipolar. I know she's not a doctor or anything but she has a friend with it so I guess she knows a bit about it.
My moods can change in a matter of seconds.
I can go from 'normal' to hyper then depressed in a matter of minutes and there can be no trigger at all. I don't have many extreme highs, but when I do I can't stop laughing and I sometimes shout things. Again, there is no trigger.
I just thought I'd ask you guys for some advice before I book an appointment at the doctors.
I think it is very dangerous to diagnose yourself/have a non-professional diagnose you with something like bipolar. By all means bring it up with your GP if you are concerned but what you're saying doesn't particularly sound like bipolar.
Bipolar is not typically about sudden, brief mood changes (although some people do have rapid cycling moods). Generally people with bipolar have more prolonged phases of depression or mania (or hypomania) which may creep up on the person.
There is a school of thought that depression is simply bipolar in someone who hasn't yet experienced mania and by that logic some people with depression do at some point experience mania and become re-diagnosed with bipolar.
The fact that antidepressants didn't work for you is neither here nor there. Many antidepressants are effective in bipolar depression as well as unipolar depression although some increase the risk of a manic episode in someone with bipolar.
Hope that makes sense.
Always seem to get things just that little bit wrong.
"don't wish, don't start, wishing only wounds the heart"
Def doesnt sound like bipolar. Usually the episodes last longer than a few minutes to hours. They last for days to weeks.
Sorry but as a bipolar sufferer it frustrates me when people think the mood swings are so rapid~!
Even people that are rapid cycling dont usually experience such rapid mood swings and to be diagnosed as rapid cycling means that you have had four mood shifts in a year, so about once every three months.
I have incredibly fast mood changes and a psych recently asked me if i had considered i might be bipolar. I immediately said no because my mood changes are too fast for even rapid cycling bipolar, but he said that's not always the case.
Just putting that out there.
I'm fine! Totally fine. I don't know why it's coming out all loud and squeaky, 'cause really, I'm fine!
I think if you are concerned about your moods it is best to speak to a professional about it, about why it concerns you, how it is affecting you etc. Perhaps investigating medication again if you've noticed your mood dipping is a good idea too.
Incidentally, have you ever had any sort of therapy? It might help to teach you how to manage your moods and deal with the highs and lows you are experiencing.
Regardless of a diagnoses, if your moods are influencing you in a negative way you deserve to get support and speak to someone about it.
Mania is the defining feature of bipolar disorder. Mania is a distinct period of elevated or irritable mood, which can take the form of euphoria,
AND LASTS FOR AT LEAST A WEEK (LESS IF HOSPITILISATION IS REQUIRED)
Hypomania is a mild to moderate level of elevated mood, characterized by optimism, pressure of speech and activity, and decreased need for sleep. Generally, hypomania does not inhibit functioning as mania does.
If left untreated, an episode of hypomania can LAST ANYWHERE FROM A FEW DAYS TO SEVERAL YEARS. MOST COMMONLY SYMPTOMS CONTINUE FOR A FEW WEEKS TO A FEW MONTHS.
lostandalone you are wrong episodes can last for a few minutes to hours to one day. Its called rapid cycling bipolor. They think I have rapid cycling bipolor. Trust me bipolor you dont want it why do you want to be bipolor so bad. Ask your doctor if you are and if you arent then be glad and dont try to be bipolor if your not.
lostandalone you are wrong episodes can last for a few minutes to hours to one day. Its called rapid cycling bipolor. They think I have rapid cycling bipolor. Trust me bipolor you dont want it why do you want to be bipolor so bad. Ask your doctor if you are and if you arent then be glad and dont try to be bipolor if your not.
You can't just choose to be bipolar!
The average,
well-adjusted adult
gets up at 7.30am feeling just plain terrible.
Call me Kate.
I have dyslexia so please excuse my poor spelling and sometimes poor understanding.
If u had read my post correctly you would see that these are the criteria to b diagnosed as bipolar your moods have to last longer than one day to minutes.
These are to criteria in the DSM.
If your moods change that quick it's usually to do with emotional dysregulation or a personality disorder such as BPD.
Maybe you need another assesment ballerina123?
lostandalone you are wrong episodes can last for a few minutes to hours to one day.
Technically ultradian bipolar has been described, but it's not especially common, and I imagine that more often than not the differential diagnosis is BPD.
So you're correct, episodes can last less than a day, but it's the exception to the rule really.
Rapid cycling is actually defined by the frequency of the manic and depressive episodes, not their duration, and I believe in the case of rapid cycling bipolar the standard criteria for the duration of episodes typically holds.
If u had read my post correctly you would see that these are the criteria to b diagnosed as bipolar your moods have to last longer than one day to minutes.
These are to criteria in the DSM.
If your moods change that quick it's usually to do with emotional dysregulation or a personality disorder such as BPD.
Maybe you need another assesment ballerina123?
Firstly I didn't quote you.
Secondly, I didn't say anything about my diagnosis.
I also did not say you were wrong. Infact my comment had nothing to do with what you said. I was just stating to lauri lauri that you cant pretend to be bipolar.
So why exactally did you quote me and pm me about it?
The average,
well-adjusted adult
gets up at 7.30am feeling just plain terrible.
Call me Kate.
I have dyslexia so please excuse my poor spelling and sometimes poor understanding.
Technically ultradian bipolar has been described, but it's not especially common, and I imagine that more often than not the differential diagnosis is BPD.
So you're correct, episodes can last less than a day, but it's the exception to the rule really.
Rapid cycling is actually defined by the frequency of the manic and depressive episodes, not their duration, and I believe in the case of rapid cycling bipolar the standard criteria for the duration of episodes typically holds.
On a side note, my Dad mentioned he did a DSA assessment for someone with this type of bipolar and in 2 hours, they went through the mania and depressive so many times he struggled to actually do the assessment.
Tbh people, arguing over this isn't helping the OP.
Regardless of the specific criteria, what others have said is correct:
Self diagnosis is dangerous and I would advice you not to do it. Mainly because you can ignore specific problems you are having because they don't "fit" within the criteria of the specific diagnosis you believe you have.
Speaking to your doctor is the best idea, explain your symptoms and your friends worries.
Remember that a diagnosis makes no difference to your life. Though its validating to have one, what is more important is to get the right treatment for the symptoms you experience.
I hope you can speak to your doctor soon.
You see a mouse trap
I see free cheese
And a ****ing challenge
I take my doctors advice since they are doctors that includes my therapist other ones and my psych and other ones. Actualy rapid cycling bipolor is not that rare . From what I have googled its the hardest to treat. Which sucks.
Rapid cycling bipolor you can go from hypomanic to depression in a few hours thats the truth thats why I was diagnosed with it by therapist and psych. Rapid cycling is most of the time diagnosed when your manic doesnt last a whole week or depression a whole week.
I just said that because I felt like I made it up acted. I know thats wrong and not sure why I did it. But I have decided I am no longer faking any thing IM not faking any more and thats the truth. I have not been faking for a while and they still think I have rapid cycling bipolor }: Some times when I get hyper I feel I do it for attention sometimes so then makes me think is that true hypomanic or not or is wanting attention when hypomanic part of it. So I dont know. Lots of therapist and psych think I have bipolor rapid cycling.
Im just saying dont be so eager to be diagnonsed with it thats just how you sound. Get it odne and over with say to your therapist psych who ever do I have bipolor yes or no if they say no then its over dont try to fake stuff liek I did. Just be you and be glad if your not bipolor.
I haven't replied to you guys and I'm sorry, just people were arguing and I hate that. so yeah...
anyway. the doctor said I suffer from severe depression - on meds etc.
Thanks for your replies though.
