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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am i bipolar?????

deleted_user
deleted_user
Im new here and although ive not been diagnosed as bipolar i am pretty sure that i am. Sounds damm ridiculous that ive not been to a doctor i suppose, i do wanna go coz im at a point now where im unhappy and need to get something done but 1. i dont like my doctor and in sunny england its near impossible to change 2.i dont want anyone to think bad of me, i feel like my family will think im crazy and stuff 3. i dont wanna have to rely on pills.
Ive thought i was bipolar for a while now, after i had my son in 2005 i was diagnosed with post natal depression, they just shoved some pills at me and that was supposed to be it, problem solved. I didnt take the pills, well not for longer than i week, they made me feel worse so i was like fuck this. I wanted to prove a point to myaelf that i didnt need pills, i felt i was letting everyone down and i was ashamed. i only told my friend and thats the same to this day.Ever since then on and off ive felt like i have amost a split personality. Ive read a lot about bipolar and reading peoples stories sometimes its like its me talking. Im no doctor but i know there is something not right with me. One day ill be happy, on top of the world, lovin life, lovin myself the next day i can be crying all day, aggressive, angry, bitchy and i cant even explain why. Its like permenant PMT. I know everyones gonna tell me to go to the doctors and i know your right but how do i approach it? i dunno what to say? im scared of being on pills forever is there any other way?
dancingd
dancingd
I hope some of the UK members will see your post,and assure you,you need to see a professional for a correct DX.You have had a lot of things going on to cause stress and heart ache.And you may even have mood swings.But that is not always bipolar.Bipolar is a chem imbalance in the brain,and needs to be treated chemically.
I hope you will seek pro help
and good luck to you
deleted_user
deleted_user
Ask a trusting GP.Tell them to forward you to some specialist.Tell them exactly how you feel.Yr fears and inability to communicate yr concerns to your family.There are some very HUMAN professionals out there.
The thing that jumps out from yr info is that...what if you were diagnosed as BP ?..Then how would YOU take that.It seems that you are terrified of the possibility of having to take pills.
My brother still baulks at me when I talk of my ten years of medication.I understand your fear.But my brother hasn't survived this illness like I have.The extremities are outside the realms for people to fully comprehend.
BUT many here are medicated and perfectly amazing for it.
It is here you come for help.
It is how real you can be for yourself that matters.
It's not a weakness if you need medication.
Better that than frazzle in denial.
You are not diagnosed yet so put all that bullshit to one side.
Approach yr GP cos here in Birmingham, like many parts of England, there has been a recent drive towards expanding the system to reach out more and lessen the stigmas you are facing.
Don't scare yrself on the hearsay that is in yr head.Try go on facts.

Peace and all the best.
deleted_user
deleted_user
thankyou. I know i need to see a doctor. I have felt prtty much same way for years, the stress im going through at the minute has made it all worse.
Im most definatly suffering from some form of depression that needs treating but bipolar always seemed to fit me if you like, i seem to fit into everything i rad about the condition. I hope its not in a way but i just wanna get sorted and normal again.
deleted_user
deleted_user
You can get a Dx w/o telling Family and take meds w/o telling people if they work great if not try again. My family knows and its a difficult situation. my Mother-in-law is still in denial that she has depression go figure!!!!
deleted_user
deleted_user
You have a lot going on,,so i am no doc. its hard to know,,your body has been thru a lot,,and still is going thru,,alot,,i would definately go to a GOOD health food store and get some green drink,,make sure u are supplying your body with alot of "whole foods",,,you can buy them,,,ask the person there,,i would start there,,,thats my advice,,for now,,,i hope that helped!!! : ),,
deleted_user
deleted_user
Thankyou. i will get myself down to the health shop tomo and see what i can find. I will defo see someone i think though because something hasnt been right for a while, even before the miscarriage
deleted_user
deleted_user
I was never a pill taker until I had extreme physical and anxiety issues...to the point of not sleeping at all....since being diagnosed BP I have studied all the side effects of medication like weight gain and decided I would still stay on Meds. But when I first went on meds (Paxil) I really needed the pain relief and anxiety relief.
deleted_user
deleted_user
go to the dr.
beckyp
beckyp
I thought I was a crazy person before my diagnosis and thought that one day I would just completely lose it. Well, I went on meds and even though it took a while to get the right ones, I'm doing much better now. Go to the Dr.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I'm so sorry for the loss of your baby. Whatever diagnosis they come up with it's good that you have accepted you need professional help. I worked as a psyche nurse in England and it was a really positive experience but I hear things have changed a lot with long waits to see doctors and sub-standard care. There is always other ways but you need a mental health provider to explain your options. Also have your BF come with you to an appointment as it's going to be a life changing experience that will affect him too.
deleted_user
deleted_user
take a few tests online join a few bipolar groups in your local area and find a mental health doctor to diagnose u research all the meds for bipolar believe me it will take a whil to get the right med or combination of meds to balance you out remember everry med works differently for eveyone so don't think that just bcuz one person is on a med that works for them will mean it will work for u sometimes it takes trial and error
deleted_user
deleted_user
Find a good psychiatrist. Mine has been my lifesaver.

I know pills sound scary and being diagnosed with a mental illness isn't anyones dream come true.

But by getting on the right meds you can have a better life. It may take time but it is worth it.

Good luck!
deleted_user
deleted_user
See how we are here to listen and help - non judgementally - just sharing our experiences. Hey i was a lot like you too at first full of whys and what ifs ...its all the unknowns that can be freaky at first - but its a whole lot better being informed and more in charge of what is a real health challenge even if it means taking a daily med or 2 - than being in the depths of a gripping depression OR IN A BREATHLESS HYPER HIGH WHERE U JUST CANT FIND THE OFF BUTTON! Its true - ask anyone in this BP cyber - community - weve all had to or are still coming to terms with accepting someone elses professional diagnosis of ourselves as Bi polar. I do not say 'i live with' or that I 'suffer from' a mental illness... i say that i have ' a different mental ability' called bi polar and that often elicits a different , more intrigued response out there! It helps to have partner/ friends and family informed and on side - you may need them in future. Keep on tuning in here to DS it is a breath of fresh air support and inspiration! G' Luck JennieK in Australia
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