How do you know if it's bipolar?
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How do you know if it's bipolar?
| Thu, 01-26-2006 - 12:31am |
Hello, everyone. I am new here, and I have some concerns that I may have bipolar disorder...it seems odd to say that, because really, if I do have it, it's not as severe as I've seen it in my oldest sister who has been diagnosed with bipolar. That is my main question, if it is possible to have varying degrees of the illness.
If I had more time, I'd go into a bit more history of myself and my family, but I'm pretty tired right now, it's been a long day. My fiance and I went to see a counsellor today, since we've been having a lot of conflict lately. Our relationship has it's ups and downs, and we've almost split up a few times. I know that my mental state is generally fragile, and I have been through depression...but today in our counselling session, my mental state was the main focus, and I was urged to get further treatment...it was really puzzling to me, because I thought that I had overcome depression... I really didn't think I was headed down the same road as my oldest sister...
I'll expand more later, but for now I have to get some sleep... I'm just scared, and I want to know what is wrong with me!! I don't have most of the extreme mood swings as I know many bi-polar people do, but I sure do have mood swings! Just more subtle. Anyway, I guess the main thing I want to ask for right now is whether or not you can have a more subtle, subdued form of bipolar.
I'd appreciate any input, and I'll be sure to expand more later...~Sabrina
If I had more time, I'd go into a bit more history of myself and my family, but I'm pretty tired right now, it's been a long day. My fiance and I went to see a counsellor today, since we've been having a lot of conflict lately. Our relationship has it's ups and downs, and we've almost split up a few times. I know that my mental state is generally fragile, and I have been through depression...but today in our counselling session, my mental state was the main focus, and I was urged to get further treatment...it was really puzzling to me, because I thought that I had overcome depression... I really didn't think I was headed down the same road as my oldest sister...
I'll expand more later, but for now I have to get some sleep... I'm just scared, and I want to know what is wrong with me!! I don't have most of the extreme mood swings as I know many bi-polar people do, but I sure do have mood swings! Just more subtle. Anyway, I guess the main thing I want to ask for right now is whether or not you can have a more subtle, subdued form of bipolar.
I'd appreciate any input, and I'll be sure to expand more later...~Sabrina

Hi Sabrina,
Welcome...to answer your question, I can only give you my so called knowledge of BP...things I've seen in others, and my own experiences. I have to say though, you really do need to get to a psychiatrist for an evaluation.
As for varying degrees of BP, yes. There are. Also, for your information and so you can research, BP II is a milder form on Bipolar, and with that you tend to have more depressive episodes and your "manias" tend to be milder, but they ARE manias...they are called hypomanic episodes.
Some here have really out of whack mood swings...the REAL extremes...myself included. But there are others whose moods don't go as wildly or as quickly from up to down to up to down. Hopefully, they will chime in and tell you of their own disorders too.
I'm really glad you found the board, and hope you'll stick around with us. We're very close here and love to make new friends.
Being Bipolar isn't fun, as you know already watching your sister, but it can be controlled with the right doctor, and the right medication.
Love and Hugs,
Keli
or you can google it & see if it sounds familiar.
it's really hard to diagnose yourself...i thought i was actually borderline personality for years.
Hi and Welcome Sabrina !!
Yes, there is several levels of it..same with depression and add/hd.
God could not be everywhere, so
sabrina ~ yes, it is definitely possible to have varying degrees of bipolar. there is bipolar I which is typically the "extreme" cases with really high highs and really low lows. there is bipolar II which most of the time is hard to pick up on unless you are in a depressed state because the "mania" aspect is very mild and known as hypomania. it's very hard to pick up on that because it isn't terribly different than being "ok". then there is cyclothymia which is the mildest state of bipolar and really hard to distinguish in both the ups and downs.
now, that said, i think exploring it now is probably a good idea, especially if it is already in your family. it sounds like (from what i read) you are either bipolar II or cyclothymic. it can be very scary, especially not knowing. for me that was the worst before i actually received my diagnosis. then, after i was diagnosed i denied it for a very long time.
I was not aware that there were several different forms and degrees of bipolar, I just assumed that there would be certain characteristics associated with it that I didn't think I had. Now that I think about it more, I tend to have more depressive episodes and tendencies, but I can't think of any manic ones I might have had...except for times when I feel like I can't sleep because my mind is racing. People tell me I talk too much, and they can't keep up with me...well that's because sometimes my mind actually goes that fast, and I tend to speak everything that's on my mind. I have a very anxious personality, and the anxiety only gets more intense when I'm stressed out about anything. I even have the anxiety when things are going well in my life! I suppose all these things could be mild mania, but I never really thought it was abnormal...I just though I am naturally an anxious person, and I am prone to depression.
You have all given me something to think about, and I will be seeking further evaluation from a professional. I'm scared about the idea of having to go on medication again, but I think before anything I would research natural remedies, if that kind of thing even exists for bipolar.
I look forward to coming here to learn more, thanks again for your input, everyone! ~Sabrina