Welcome Holly..... I would absolutely go and see your family doctor sweetie.... Your doctor wants to help you..... That's why we seem them

I would ask for a referral to a psychiatrist .... They can do a good evaluation ... Big hug....xo

I agree with suncloud.
Maybe write down a list of why u believe u might be bipolar so when your there u can give a clear case why u need reffering to a psych dr.

Good luck.

I wouldn't go in with "I think I am bipolar".

I'd go in saying that you have some problems and describe what the symptoms are and how they affect you. You can always add I wonder if it is bipolar?

The reason being is that there are so many things that look like bipolar that really most people aren't competent to self diagnose or even get close. For example, it might be Borderline Personality Disorder or one of the many other disorders less well known and so never googled.

An M.D. is not the Dr. to see if you think you have BiPolar Disorder. You need to see a Psychiatrist and be evaluated. They no what signs and behaviors to look for as you tell them about your recent behaviors.

You can look on your Health Insurance website to see what Pdocs (psychiatrists) are in your local network.

Going to a Family Dr. or PCP for Mental Health needs puts you at the risk of them putting you on whatever popular psych med the local drug rep is hawking this month and it can be something that might cause you to be worse. They don't know what meds are needed to treat BiPolar or similar Mood Disorders.

I agree with CPer. My gp diagnosed me with post partum depression and started me on antidepressants which ultimately led me to a very destructive mania and the eventual diagnosis of bipolar 1.

You may need a referral to see a pdoc, but dont let your gp diagnosis you, it isnt their field.

Fish has some very good points made as well.

Best wishes in finding the answers you need to put you on the road to stability.

hi Geenee1, welcome to the board Are you bipolar? Would you like to post a thread and introduce yourself?

Just do it. When I suspected I had this illness I first saw a mental health therapist. From there we agreed that something was definitely going on with me and she referred me to a psychiatrist. Try that.

holly21, just wanted to check in and see if you've made it to a Pdoc to get checked out yet. I know its a holiday weekend and that can make things kind of tough to be seen. I wanted you to know that your not alone, I'm thinking about you an hope that you're hanging in there and things are going okay for now.

Have a good Monday.