Am I bipolor?

He thought of it when I described to him what happened when I went to a conference.  I was "in my element" there.  I circulated, spoke, and managed people through the 2 days.  Normaly, the "high" of the conference would carry my through the additional workload for the next 2 weeks or so.  I crashed before I could even drive all the way home.  The "low" lasted 2-3 days and I had to climb back out of it all over again.

The same thing happened this Saturday at the wedding I went to.  I crashed before I could even drive home.

my lows might come at any time, but every time I have a "high" it is followed by the worst of the "lows".  Is this what you feel?  Should I allow my Phyc to convince me to take a mood stabilizer?  What do you think?

I feel "good" and "in focus" on the good days.  Someone on the Depression forum has a good point that after the good day, I have just run out of energy.  The good day just took it all and I have to use a couple days recovering.

I'm just not used to that.  I have always been able to push to the extreme.

My husband is Bipolor, he was diagnosed in the military and medically discharged.  I have a hard time figuring out when he is going through cycles since he goes through them so fast.  Something aout "rapid cycle BP"

I just have no idea what it's like on the inside.  If what I am feeling might be BP instead of depression.

Christina,

You could be a 'rapid' cycler, but you can also be 'bipolar II" which is a lot milder than 'Bipolar I'.  But you do not want to ahead of the doctor and self-diagnose yourself.

I have a lot of mixed-states (Bipolar I), and from what you describe of your symptoms being a few days.  I would have to say it might be something else.  My mixed-states last longer than a week, probably more like a few weeks.  It is usually a state of mania and depression all mixed up in the mix. 

Rapid cycling, is if you have your symptoms 4+ times a year.  A few good days, ending in a crash that is a few days long too.  This is the hardest form of bipolar to treat.

Bipolar II/Hypomania is when symptoms are milder than Bipolar I, but should not be ignored none the less.  It usually lasts less than a week of hypomania and can follow/or not have another week of so of depression.

I hope you the best on your diagnosis.  Please do not feel too discouraged, and know we are here for you when you need to talk.

 some DSM 4 definitions might help:

Manic Episode:

1. A distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood, lasting at least 1 week (or any duration if hospitalization is necessary).
   
   
2. During the period of mood disturbance, three (or more) of the following symptoms have persisted (four if the mood is only irritable) and have been present to a significant degree:
   
   
   1. inflated self-esteem or grandiosity
   2. decreased need for sleep (e.g., feels rested after only 3 hours of sleep)
   3. more talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking
   4. insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day
   5. psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day (observable by others, not merely subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down)
   6. flight of ideas or subjective experience that thoughts are racing
   7. distractibility (i.e., attention too easily drawn to unimportant or irrelevant external stimuli)
   8. increase in goal-directed activity (either socially, at work or school, or sexually) or psychomotor agitation
   9. excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have a high potential for painful consequences (e.g., engaging in unrestrained buying sprees, sexual indiscretions, or foolish business investments)
   
   
3. The symptoms do not meet criteria for a Mixed Episode
   
   
4. The mood disturbance is sufficiently severe to cause marked impairment in occupational functioning or in usual social activities or relationships with others, or to necessitate hospitalization to prevent harm to self or others, or there are psychotic features.
   
   
5. The symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication, or other treatment) or a general medical condition (e.g., hyperthyroidism).

Mixed Episode:

1. The criteria are met both for a Manic Episode and for a Major Depressive Episode (except for duration) nearly every day during at least a 1-week period.
   
   
2. The mood disturbance is sufficiently severe to cause marked impairment in occupational functioning or in usual social activities or relationships with others, or to necessitate hospitalization to prevent harm to self or others, or there are psychotic features.
   
   
3. The symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication, or other treatment) or a general medical condition (e.g., hyperthyroidism).
   
   hypomanic Episode:

1. A distinct period of persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood, lasting throughout at least 4 days, that is clearly different from the usual nondepressed mood.
   
   
2. During the period of mood disturbance, three (or more) of the following symptoms have persisted (four if the mood is only irritable) and have been present to a significant degree:
   
   
   1. inflated self-esteem or grandiosity
   2. decreased need for sleep (e.g., feels rested after only 3 hours of sleep)
   3. more talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking
   4. flight of ideas or subjective experience that thoughts are racing
   5. distractibility (i.e., attention too easily drawn to unimportant or irrelevant external stimuli)
   6. increase in goal-directed activity (either socially, at work or school, or sexually) or psychomotor agitation
   7. excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have a high potential for painful consequences (e.g., the person engages in unrestrained buying sprees, sexual indiscretions, or foolish business investments)
   
   
3. The episode is associated with an unequivocal change in functioning that is uncharacteristic of the person when not symptomatic.
   
   
4. The disturbance in mood and the change in functioning are observable by others.
   
   
5. The episode is not severe enough to cause marked impairment in social or occupational functioning, or to necessitate hospitalization, and there are no psychotic features.
   
   
6. The symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication, or other treatment) or a general medical condition (e.g., hyperthyroidism).

   Note: Hypomanic-like episodes that are clearly caused by somatic antidepressant treatment (e.g., medication, electroconvulsive therapy, light therapy) should not count toward a diagnosis of Bipolar II Disorder.

Hi Maitri, our BP states sound very much alike. I too an a rapid cycler. I still often will cycle a few times a day and have done so for many many years, but I have learned to keep them under control for the most part. Keeping a mood chart sounds like a great idea. My Dr.s have not had me do one, but I'd like to for myself so that I could use it to show the Dr. I can see it could be a really great help. Can you tell me where I can find them on line and preferably for free? Thanks