Bipolar Disorder - Teen Support Group

I'm not a doctor, but this sounds more like Major Depression.
This is Bipolar type two http://www.squidoo.com/bipolar2
Bipolar involves two moods, sad and manic. So unless you get incredibly manic at times, I would doubt it's bipolar.
This is Major Depression
http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?S...
Symptoms of Bipolar Two include: Symptoms of mania (or a manic episode of bipolar disorder) include:

* Increased energy, activity, and restlessness
* Excessively "high," overly good, euphoric mood
* Extreme irritability
* Racing thoughts and talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another
* Distractibility, can't concentrate well
* Little sleep needed
* Unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities and powers
* Poor judgment
* Spending sprees
* A lasting period of behavior that is different from usual
* Increased sexual drive
* Abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol, and sleeping medications
* Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behavior denial that anything is wrong

What are signs and symptoms of depressive episode of bipolar disorder?

Signs and symptoms of depression (or a depressive episode of bipolar disorder) include:

* Lasting sad, anxious, or empty mood
* Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
* Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
* Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, including sex
* Decreased energy, a feeling of fatigue or of being "slowed down"
* Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
* Restlessness or irritability
* Sleeping too much, or can't sleep
* Change in appetite and/or unintended weight loss or gain
* Chronic pain or other persistent bodily symptoms that are not caused by physical illness or injury
* Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts


Symptoms of Major Depression include: * depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by either subjective report (e.g., feels sad or empty) or observation made by others (e.g., appears tearful). Note: In children and adolescents, can be irritable mood.
* markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day (as indicated by either subjective account or observation made by others)
* significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain (e.g., a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month), or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day. Note: In children, consider failure to make expected weight gains.
* insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day
* psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day (observable by others, not merely subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down)
* fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day
* feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt (which may be delusional) nearly every day (not merely self-reproach or guilt about being sick)
* diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day (either by subjective account or as observed by others)
* recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide

I agree with OurSickStory, but I'm also not a psychiatrist. What I advise is talking to your doctor or psychiatrist about your symptoms and see what he/she thinks. As far as if meds are helpful for bipolar, they are if you find the right ones, but that can be a really long, arduous journey, sometimes lasting years, sometimes lasting a lot less. And yes, each med has a list of side effects, some with more than others. There are mood stabilizers, atypical antipsychotics [which you don't have to be psychotic to be on - my psych uses Seroquel for mania], antidepressants [which, if you /are/ bipolar and are not on a mood stabilizer can be disastrous and either cause mania or increased depression/suicidal thoughts], regular antipsychotics [heavy duty, like Haldol]...can't think of any other category at the moment, but again I reiterate - if you think you're bipolar, talk to a professional and he/she can help you sort it out.

~~Paige

thank you you two definitly helped me think about other possibilities am definitely off to the doctors this week! thanks for your support! :) what are your stories? im new to this site so would be good to hear from other people - that im not the only one with a problem

I have however had some of the symptoms in the mania list increased energy, irritability, loss of concentration and i seem to be skipping from happy to sad, depressed to lively etc. The only way ill know is by going to the doctor but I get stressed about going and some doctors seem to you know skip around things sometimes.
In my comment before I wasn't being rude asking about your stories - just that I can learn from you guys you know.

Hi, Well if you are manic at times than Bipolar type one is something to consider.
My names Kayla, I've been in the hospital once for Bipolar Disorder type one. I had plans on killing my whole family due to Sam who's a voice I hear. I have hallucinations and wild delusions, I was abused by my older brother both Physically and Sexually and Verbally. Verbally includes my mom who often called me a freak and stupid and a slut.
I'm on several medications now and I'm doing a little better. :)
If you don't mind me asking, what's your story?

That sounds horrible :( have you spoken to anyone about your brother? and why is your mum abusing you verbally?

Well my story I've been bullied most of my life verbally mainly which you know definitly has affected me a lot. I have had a lot of boyfriends cheat on me etc and one sexually abuse me and others use me for sex (with my consent) but you know i was too weak to refuse and jus went with it.

I have lost a lot of family members as well which has caused me a great deal of stress and upset. I lost four members in the space of five years so it was like getting over one and then another passing :(

My story doesn't sound that bad in comparison to yours but mentally it has affected me a great deal and caused the predicament I am now faced with. It has gotten worse and stress is a huge factor and i was in hospital last year with terrible pain just due to stress which was to the point i couldn't walk.

I am booking an appointment this week to see whats going on. As i sais though im up and down and very irritable and often overreact about certain situations! without meaning to.

You say your on meds now how are you coping? and how is your relationship with your mother? I hope the abuse stops!

I certainly don't have voices in my head or anything or delusions, but you knoe im not going to lie suicide has crossed my mind a few times but i haven't attempted.

My med's don't work and Im moving out to get away from her. She's just a bad person all together.

Psych hospital or med hospital? And I thought a lot about suicide to. I almost did it. But I talked to my boyfriend who died three years ago and he described death to me. (He lived, He was legally dead for twenty minutes) He said it was the worst torture he's ever endured. It was dark and he wasn't standing, or laying, or sitting, or anything. And he couldn't talk or think but he could hear his thoughts. And it was dark and he was lonely and scared. So obviusly death isn't a great option.

Just med hospital. No death doesn't sound nice at all. Would hate to feel like that, hope your situation gets sorted! Has she never spoken to you properly? Like is she scared, upset or like thinking shes failed as a mother or something? I can't imagine a mother being like that towards her daughter. But then again it happens some parents shouldn't be parents at all.

I know exactly how you feel. my doctor i think suspects i have Bipolar Disorder. but i dont have hallucinations or anything like that.
i do have:
extreme paranoia at times
extreme highs and lows
distractibility
trouble sleeping
(idk if this helps but sometimes i feel like im not really in the world and can do whatever i want because it doesnt matter)
i loveeeeeee shopping or mostly spending money (more than average)
i have a horrible time rememebering things
thoughts of suicide
and ups and downs of starving myself and gorging in food

maybe this will help?
i hope!