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.
I have never been to a doctor to be diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder but think I may have some form of it. In my teenage years i was completely off the walls I attributed it to hormones but i thought about suicided pretty often and felt worthless. In my twenties the suicidal thoughts pretty much went away even though i was in an abusive relationship. I am now in my late thirties and I have become much more aware of my mood swings. I have days were I feel like I am just on speed, on these days i want to get done everything i have put off I will work without stopping on whatever it is, cleaning house, garage, yard, organizing papers, cleaning closets, etc. Also on these days i feel euphoric I sing to the radio, i dance around with my kids, I love these days!! Then comes days were even though i can function it is not very well. I will be at work and it just feels like I am still asleep in a dream, everything is foggy and I can't concentrate or I feel down and sad and will cry at just about anything. On these days it I also get very angry!! Everything and anything will set me off to the point of blind rage. For example if i get home from work and someone left an empty jug of milk in the fridge or the living room is a mess when i walk in, ect I am yelling and cursing and saying how I am sick and tired of being everyones maid and how nobody gives a crap about how i feel and i just want to run away. when i come down from these days i feel horrible i am embarrassed and I am concerned about how these fits of rage are affecting my children. I know I should go to a doctor but I dont want to be a guinea pig for all kinds of different psych meds.
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Hey All...I hope that you have a lovely, peaceful beginning of your weekI have a bunch of chores that need doing but may put them off til tomorrow and just hang out with my landlord/roomie todayWhat about you?...Anything special going on?Have a great day and take good care of you!!..Xo
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Once again I've had a fever today. I'm not going to the hospital because that's a huge waste of time but I did schedule a dr appointment for Wednesday afternoon.
For me a diagnosis was a gift and so was treatment.... Family is affected for sure if you aren't well especially children....
Working with a disorder is so much better than trying to work against it as it's a losing battle ya know..... Big hug......xo
You can't be diagnosed BiPolar when your a Teen Ager, the prefrontal cortex of your brain has not completely developed and your brain does not produce the chemicals required in order to inadequately produce those needed for a BiPolar Disorder Diagnosis. There are several other adolescent and teenage mental issues that can mimic some signs of BiPolar.
At this point you have 2 choices it sounds like:
1. you can stay the same, not go see a Pdoc (Psychiatrist), not get a Diagnosis and just keep floundering along in your current state of mental instability. Not what I would recommend. If you are BiPolar or Cyclothymic and it remains untreated it can get worse, and nasty things like delusions and psychosis can become issues.
2. you can do what you need to do which is make an appt. with a Pdoc be evaluated and diagnosed and let them devise a treatment plan for you so that you can get your illness and life under control and feel better.
The thing about BiPolar Disorder is there is no cure for it, but there is Treatment and the Treatment is a Medication Cocktail and Therapy (talk therapy), the goal for Treatment is to get to a point of Stability so that your not having constant mood swings and your staying as level as possible so you can enjoy a regular and productive life and yes that is very possible. It can take a while to get the meds correct and working. Altering brain chemistry is not like taking an aspirin for a headache, it takes a few weeks for things to get to a therapeutic level and make sure meds are working together as they are supposed to. Going into treatment with a good attitude is the best idea.
The big think to know about BiPolar disorder is it is a life disease, it affects every single part of your life and the sooner you get a diagnosis, gain acceptance, start treatment and intertwine the BiPolar with your daily life the better off you'll be. Its not the kind of thing where you take meds and then feel better, so, oh I can quit the meds....NO, it does not work like that. If you make up your mind to treat BiPolar if you have it, then thats a long term treatment.
I've been BiPolar for 28 yrs, I've been on meds for 28 yrs, I've seen a Pdoc and/or Tdoc every month for 28 yrs.
Welcome to the Board and i hope you decide to get yourself checked out.