Am I BiPolar or not?

Hi there,

I just wanted to know whether my symptoms are anything like that of a BiPolar patient?

I get very aggressive very quickly and I am anxious at times too. I am not really depressed or suicidal, yet I do sometimes become slightly more depressed (worried) about life in general and it effects me more than what I would like it too.

I have major mood swings some times and it changes in no time at all. I have a very short temper and when frustrated / stressed / angry for some or other reason, it effects other aspects of my life too.

I am making plans to go see my GP next week some time (A.S.A.P) and will go see a Psychiatrist if need be. I have heard that Lithium effects your kidneys and is not recommended for long term use. What is the best (most effective and least damaging to my body) long term prescription drug used for this "mild form of BiPolar", if that is what I actually have?

Do these symptoms remind you of someone that has BiPolar disorder?

If so, which form or degree of BiPolar would it most likely be?

I thank you in advance for your assistance!

I can give you some general information about how bipolar disorder affects me but you need a doctor to give you a diagnosis.  I had episodes of mania where I didn't sleep, spent too much money (and not on my bills), made grand plans that I couldn't follow through with, had a lot of energy and had racing thoughts.  These episodes were followed by depression where I had no energy, felt really low and couldn't fuction normally, cried a lot.  This is a very general description and different people have different symptoms.  As far as medicatiion goes, there are a lot of mood stabilizers and its just trial and error until you find the right one.  Again, let me stress that only a doctor can diagnose you for certain and it takes a psychiatrist to diagnose and treat bipolar disorder.  Good luck at the doctor appt and keep us posted.

Thanks Serafena!

I obviously realise that I need to see my doctor and possibly a psychiatrist in order for me to get diagnosed properly. I just needed to know whether my symptoms are at all anything like those of a bipolar patient. If it is most definitely not anything like that of a bipolar patient, then I know what to expect.

Most of the information I have found on bipolar comes back to manic deppression, suicidal thoughts etc. I am just a short tempered person and can get unreasonable and quite aggressive when ticked off. I just need to know whether it is at all POSSIBLE that I could be bipolar by just being short tempered and uncontrollably aggressive at times.

I am not expecting a diagnoses to come from a forum, I just need to know whether other bipolar patients also only experience aggressiveness etc. without manic deppression.

If anybody could give me any advice at all, I would really appreciate it!

when i was 1st dianosed with bipolar part of my symptoms were aggression and anger. thata how we knew something was really wrong. i cursed alot and used God's name in vain which id never done b4. after i was diagnosed as a probable bipolar i was put on seraquel and lamictal. they were a Godsend. i was better the next day. thats how my dr was sure i was bipolar. whenever i start to get angry easily, spend too much money, start cleaning different areas without focus (going from 1 thing without finishing the first), etc, my husband and i know im going into a manic state. the depreesion speaks 4 itself. i did not have this or at least not so severe untin i had a bad fall after having been unable to sleep for weeks for no more than 2-4 weeks each night. then after i fell iwas put on steroids for the swelling. 2 days later BAM. i had a terrible psychotic episode. i was angry and yelling and halucinating. i knew there was something wrong but i didnt know what. i am better now but i will probably b on meds 4 the rest of my life. im just so glad they r out there. i hope u r not bipolar and lots of people do the things u r doing without being bi.please go c a dr. and hopefully u will get a proper dianosis. even if it is bi, dont get too bent out of shape. there r so many meds out there ur dr. will able to fing one that helps u. good luck. i hope u dont mind but u will b in my prayers.

 

  I have bi-polar disorder I have been dionosed since 14 yrs old & struggling with it am still taking medications for it am taking Zyprexa 5 mg. I have manic- depression bi-polar. Am married & also have a 5 month old & were involed with Cps. Cps did a replacement temparily since he was 1 month & am having some ups & downs I want anyone that has bi-polar that can help me how to cope with bi-polar.