Bipolar Disorder Support Group
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. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

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I have not actually been diagnosed as bipolar...I can be happy one minute and the next I get quiet and moody. It's like I have no control over my moods anymore. You can see from my journal that one day I am feeling low and the next I am more positive. I am so sick of this emotional rollercoaster. I just want to be normal and I don't know what exactly is wrong with me.
Can someone explain to me what exactly bipolar disorder is?
Can someone explain to me what exactly bipolar disorder is?
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Being bipolar is alot more than mood swings.
We are not Doctors here.If you suspect you are bipolar...GO see a Phyciatrist..get a correct DX...do some research ,then come back and we can address issues.
I truely do not mean to bash or be cruel...but these "I THINK I MIGHT BE BIPOLAR " posts are getting out of hand.
It is taking space away from newly DX BP's ,who need to talk .
I guess I'm in a bitched out mood.....last few days ,there have been sooo many of these "I think I might be's".....go find out!
I strongly encourage you to tack your moods on one of these charts, for as long as you can. I also suggest finding a chart that allows you to track your menstrual cycle at the same time, so you can see if there is a correlation between your pms and your moods, or if there is a correlation between your moods even changing after your menstruate.
also, search the net for bipolar and read the medical articles and the info posted by the drug companies and compare the two.
But, you have been blessed to find this site. Congratulations!
I'm gonna go and talk to the kettle, he understands.
But you have to help yourself.
Lately it seems people are running here crying out "I THINK I"M BIPOLAR!!!!"
Without proper information,there is nothing we CAN SAY ,but ...go get a DX.
Besides,Prozac,is NOT usually given to bipolar patients...it can cause backlash mania ,or even deeper the depressive episodes.
So Wendolyn,if your family Doctir RX the Prozac...it is espaecially important for you to see a specialist,a Phyciatrist.....a family Doctor Rx me Paxil...(because he thought I was JUST depressed)...the Paxil sent me into a medically induced phycotic episode.
Please,for your own health and safety...go see a Phyciatrist!
American life today is like a roller coaster. Road rage, SNAFUs galore, computer's down, etc.
But, for BPs, a lot of the mood swings happen in the absence of a trigger. IMHO, that is the key.
Mood swings could be hormonally caused, caused by life situations, just be your personality, be "normal" but sometimes people are looking too closely, or they could be a part of something that could be diagnostic.
In order to diagnose bipolar a doc should run a series of blood work to rule out other things that can mimic mood disorder such as thyroid problems among other things.
Then a good detailed interview with you, and preferably including someone close to you will help as well and a detailed family history should also be asked.
Only then should a psychiatrist venture to diagnose someone...and when you're only talking about mood swings that are happening daily, it makes me wonder if you're talking about a rapid cycling bipolar or borderline personality disorder. Of course, it could be many other things, including medical so please see the doc.
If you want to learn about bipolar check out
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder/complete-publication.shtml by the NIMH (National Institute on Mental Health). It's probably the most comprehensive article out there on the topic.
Anyway, point being I guess Bipolar just "comes out" & can't be hidden for long. If you have it, you will certainly know it as will those close to you. Best of luck!
wendolyn, that's where you should look for your answers about "what exactly is bipolar?"
A psychiatrist can help you with the diagnosis & treatment plan, if necessary. All best!