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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How to tell?

deleted_user
deleted_user
I have a friend who has all the symptoms of bipolar.
One day she's really happy, the next, she suicidal and wants to kill herself. I've sat with her to 1am in the morning many nights, just to stop her from doing anything.
However, someone recently told me that she cannot possibly be bipolar as her highs and lows are not 'extreme'.
Is that any chance that she may be bipolar? Or is it just the depression doing that to her?
deleted_user
deleted_user
If shes happy one day and suicidal the next I would say thats extreme.Unipolar depression doesnt get sudden ups,I dont think.
Best thing for her would be to see a pdoc.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Yep - needs a psych doc.. Sounds like bipolar 2 to me.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I agree. Her symptoms sound pretty extreme to me. I suggest pdoc like 1 and 2 have already
deleted_user
deleted_user
She needs to get in to her PDoc but sounds like bp2
deleted_user
deleted_user
See a professional about it.At least a GP, who , if concerned enough will pass them on to a Psychiatrist.Try and accompany her or get family to go with her.

1 a.m isn't too late either,So , it's good to be concerned but see a professional.
cb72
cb72
OR, it could be a BPD (borderline personality disorder). Or who knows what. I would not trust a GP on this, except to write a referral.
deleted_user
deleted_user
BP can be like a rhino virus: anything from a slight sniffle all the way to pneumonia.

Also, I don't know what your friend thinks extreme is, but I'm pretty sure that the friend who's suicidal IS EXTREME.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Sounds BP to me: classic in fact. Perhaps BP2. She needs to see a professional.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Baggyknees, great post.

Kaliber and I share a GP that has more skills than some of the pdocs I've dealt with, many are qualified to get the ball rolling before the handoff to a specialist. I stopped seeing a renowned specialist when he retired, (Messina in Rochester) and my GP has steered the boat perhaps better.

Kaliber's dad is speaking up at a local college, GOOD FOR HIM!!!
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