Bipolar Disorder - Teen Support Group

This community is dedicated to teenagers struggling with bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. Talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, and learn from others' experiences

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Catlovers141 07/09/2008

I am new to this forum and I haven't actually been diagnosed with Bipolar disorder, but I was hoping that someone here would be able to tell me what you think is going on...

I am 17 years old and I have really bad mood swings. I generally have two times of being sad and two times of being happy in a month. Each time lasts about a week. When I have a bad week, it is really bad. I cut and I feel hopeless, helpless, and like there is no escape. A few times, I have thought of suicide but I don't think I could ever actually do it.

When I am having a good week, I'm not manic. I am just normal. Things don't bother me as much but I'm not as happy as what is actually described in bipolar disorder.

Basically I just fluctuate between depressed and normal moods. Anyone know of anything like this?

(BTW, it has nothing to do with my menstrual cycle. I have looked up PMDD and it doesn't really describe me..)

Thank you all for your help! =]

deleted_user 07/09/2008

i think that you may have bi-polar. just from reading that you have weekly mood-swings. I used to have REALLY bad weekly swings that owould just ruin everything that i have worked for. It would just be like i do really good for a week the crash in one day and take about two weeks to get back to the good times so i kind know what you are going through

deleted_user 07/09/2008

Catlovers141 07/09/2008

Thanks =]
But what about my lack of mania?

deleted_user 07/10/2008

ther are diferent levels of bipolar. U cud jst hav level 1 or 2 wer u hav hypomanic episodes instead of full manic. It definalty sounds like u hav bipolar due to the constant mood changes. If ure really worried see a doctor so as u can get a professional opinion. Hope everythin works out. Here if u wana tlk hun *hug*

Catlovers141 07/10/2008

Thanks to everyone who has replied so far. I will try to look at the different levels of bipolar. I have heard of hypomania, but if anyone has any other ideas I would love to hear those too. =]

blindvertigo11 07/16/2008

idk about new ideas but I am bi-polar and I never have mania, just decent moods and bad depression. I've mentioned this to my doctor and he says It's normal. But I'd definitely see a doc whenever you get the chance to really find out for real.

deleted_user 07/19/2008

hi cat, i have a son b/p he 16, he was like that when he was younger then it grew worst as he got older or the meds not working. but there is differnt type like the rest said.

here another good site i learn alot it called www.bpkids.org and you can learn alot, also on there they another site for teens depression and it has videos and so on. i hope this helps and good luck.

ps are you on meds are just seaching??? angel

deleted_user 07/22/2008

It's entirely possible that you are bipolar despite the lack of mania. I haven't read it, but I read about a book today that discusses people who are bipolar despite a lack of depression. They swing between manic and normal.

deleted_user 07/23/2008

there are various level of bipolar for instance I dont ever have a complete mania or total depression. I'm in a mixed state for most of the time. There are varying levels of bipolar...some people have both extremes, some have neither otal extremes and some only have one...welcome to the world of bipolar, there really are no rules

Catlovers141 07/23/2008

Thank you for your help, everyone. =]

Scarlett21, if you know the title of the book, I would love for you to tell me so that I can look into it. Thanks!

deleted_user 08/01/2008

What you could have is chronic depression. BiPolar makes you have depression and hyper manic states that is the definition of BiPolar I have had it since I was 11 and I am in an informational Support Group at a local therapy office. Well you should go to a psychiatrist to have an official diagnosis and they will be able to tell you exactly what you have!

deleted_user 08/02/2008

Sounds oh-so-familiar. You should see a psych doc. Sounds like you're a beeper to me! Even if your not...you can get meds to help you cope with all those problems and stabilize your moods.

Catlovers141 08/04/2008

Thanks!

But I just have a question: How could I have chronic depression if I'm not always depressed? I have times where I feel alright, not manic, but pretty normal.

deleted_user 08/04/2008

Chronic Depression isnt all the time just like BP isnt all the time...it all depends on the person. Everyones BP is different or some could be hyper manic or chronic depression....some people see it as the same and not all are... I just think you should be sure before you ask for BP meds. BiPolar is noting to play around with.

deleted_user 08/04/2008

yeah you pretty much described the description of bipolar. lol, are you on any meds or no?

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