I can't know what people see in your case, but in my case it is my rapid and extreme mood swings which gets amateur psychologists handing me this diagnosis.

The pros I trust are debating whether I am bipolar or suffering PTSD. Makes no diff to me what label they put on my psych portfolio. To me, a symptom is a symptom. Give me a tool to manage ^it^, by whatever name.

some cases are different but most bring depression, Mood swings, just a emotional rollercoster basically. but arfie is rite there are some many things that gives the same effects as bipolar. Like E.M.D
explosive mood disorder the list will keep going it would be best to find a mental health doc and have him look into your case before taking opinions from friends and thing


best wishes

https://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/what-is-bipolar-disorder

Its really difficult for anyone to tell you beyond a clinical definition what BiPolar for you is. BiPolar Disorder runs on a Spectrum and there are several different types. Each Type has different symptoms that require different types of treatment.

If you think you have a serious Mental Illness like BiPolar, and it is one of the more serious, that requires lifelong treatment, you need to see a Psychiatrist and get a proper Diagnosis.

There are many other Mental/Emotional Illnesses that share some of the same symptoms as the varying degrees of BiPolar, but they all have different treatments. The only way to clearly know what you need to be treated for is to see a Psychiatrist and get that Diagnosis so you know exactly what you're dealing with and how to properly treat it.

Surfing the net and asking around tends to lead to overload of information, fear and stress and it won't get you any closer to being treated.

Take care,
Kat

I seen a psychiatrist last year and haven't heard back... he asked a lot of questions and did a lot of hmmm's and I see's after that nothing...
with the way I am now... its hard for me to get things straight and organized so remembering to schedule a follow-up or check in for the results of the many different places I have to go to with just my MS
I'll just ask my family Dr. for another referral to see another psychologist... maybe I will be sent to the one I talked to already and just continue where I left
Hopefully

its a happy place





........



now its a sad place

These are symptom from Psych Central however as OlderC wrote there can be different symptoms depending where you are on the spectrum

A psychiatrist should have written your GP a report I would think??… So your family doctor might have some answers for you??

I would ask for a psychiatric referral to begin with if you need to see another specialist and a second opinion never hurts

https://psychcentral.com/disorders/bipolar/bipolar-disorder-symptoms/

https://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/bipolar-disorder-forms

It takes more than one session with a psychiatrist to diagnose Bipolar and one that gives you no feedback does not sound like a good fit please ask your doc to give you a new referral so that at least you know what you're dealing with. good luck with it,

It generally takes more than one visit to a Pdoc (psychiatrist) for an accurate Diagnosis of many Mental Illnesses, especially the more difficult ones. Its not something you can go 1 time for and they'll have an automatic answer. It takes a few visits, getting your History, learning your Symptoms, having you complete mental/emotional tests, getting to know you and what's going on with you somewhat.

I realize that but when I reached out to get help and see someone about my conditions I got as far as seeing a psychologist ones for a 30 min appointment and it feels like it was swept under the rug after that

So you have to be proactive in your own healthcare, there isn't anyone else to do it for you.

Get a reference for a few different Pdocs from your Insurance Company. Go online and do some research, read about their practice, see how they practice, what type of Psychiatry, because there are many. Whats their education, experience, etc.. When you find the one that you think might "get" you, ask your PCP for a reference. Call and make an appt. and get the ball started.

This is how you do it, its how everyone has to do it to find out if there is anything wrong, what exactly is wrong, and what the treatment plan is.

All the above replies are good. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety for a few years before my pdoc (psychiatrist) diagnosed me with Bipolar. Then I saw another psychiatrist, which just so happened to be at the Mayo Clinic, and was confirmed by the second psychiatrist that I was Bipolar. I went to the Mayo Clinic for a second opinion for fibromyalgia and a couple other medical diagnoses. So, you don't need to go there for a second opinion, but getting a second opinion is a good idea. Good luck and take care of yourself and be proactive like OlderCPer said. This is a great support group to be a member of. Glad you found us!