How will I know That I am bipolar or not? Is fluctuation of mood a symptom of bipolar disorder? Please specify.

Question

There are certain adaptations that will suit you during the elation phase and there are certain behaviors that are required during the depressed phases. In the meantime you can do certain things that will give you benefits anyway. Emotional therapy will alleviate a lot of the problems faced in this condition because it is a mood disorder. You need to particularly look at your levels of anger both for its reasonableness and to express it in appropriate manner. I suspect that much of this anger may have origins in early childhood that you may never be aware of now. Talk to your parents and explore that angle. This information will help the counselor too. Also you will need to check whether there is any genetic factor involved. You must exercise regularly, eat healthily and sleep normally too. If your motivation and cooperation is good much can be achieved. You must have a time-structured schedule filled with interesting and reasonable activities and it must be monitored for compliance and delivery. The reason I say this is that many times you will be inclined to have grandiose notions and confidently believe that you can do without the medication. This will set you back many months in the treatment and delay and sabotage the recovery: forewarned you are forearmed. If this combination of medication with therapy is maintained for at least three years without any episodes or breakdowns, it is possible to taper the medication in consonance with the doctor. Bipolar is characterized by two extreme poles i.e. Feeling very high (mania) and suddenly feeling very low (depression). You can ask the doctor for the symptoms he noticed in you for a personal understanding. Regarding some of the symptoms here goes: Mania is a term that describes the emotional highs of bipolar disorder. In general, symptoms of a manic episode may include: ?High energy, excessive activity, and/or restlessness ?Overly good mood ?Irritability ?Fast, erratic talking ?Racing thoughts ?Inability to concentrate ?Little need for sleep ?Feelings of power ?Poor judgment ?Reckless spending ?High sex drive ?Alcohol or drug abuse ?Aggression ?Refusal to admit that there is a problem Bipolar Symptoms: Depression In bipolar disorder, manic episodes alternate with periods of emotional lows, which are known as depressive episodes. Signs of a depressive episode may include: ?Sadness, anxiety, or a feeling of emptiness ?Hopelessness ?Feelings of guilt, feeling worthless, or feeling helpless ?Lack of interest in activities that were once enjoyable, such as sex ?Low energy ?Trouble with concentration or memory ?Restlessness or irritability ?Excessive sleeping or insomnia ?Changes in appetite or weight ?Pain or other physical symptoms not explained by an illness or injury Thoughts of death, or suicidal thoughts or attempts to kill the self.

Saul Pereira · Accepted Answer

There are certain adaptations that will suit you during the elation phase and there are certain behaviors that are required during the depressed phases. In the meantime you can do certain things that will give you benefits anyway. Emotional therapy will alleviate a lot of the problems faced in this condition because it is a mood disorder. You need to particularly look at your levels of anger both for its reasonableness and to express it in appropriate manner. I suspect that much of this anger may have origins in early childhood that you may never be aware of now. Talk to your parents and explore that angle. This information will help the counselor too. Also you will need to check whether there is any genetic factor involved. You must exercise regularly, eat healthily and sleep normally too. If your motivation and cooperation is good much can be achieved. You must have a time-structured schedule filled with interesting and reasonable activities and it must be monitored for compliance and delivery. The reason I say this is that many times you will be inclined to have grandiose notions and confidently believe that you can do without the medication. This will set you back many months in the treatment and delay and sabotage the recovery: forewarned you are forearmed. If this combination of medication with therapy is maintained for at least three years without any episodes or breakdowns, it is possible to taper the medication in consonance with the doctor. Bipolar is characterized by two extreme poles i.e. Feeling very high (mania) and suddenly feeling very low (depression). You can ask the doctor for the symptoms he noticed in you for a personal understanding. Regarding some of the symptoms here goes: Mania is a term that describes the emotional highs of bipolar disorder. In general, symptoms of a manic episode may include: ?High energy, excessive activity, and/or restlessness ?Overly good mood ?Irritability ?Fast, erratic talking ?Racing thoughts ?Inability to concentrate ?Little need for sleep ?Feelings of power ?Poor judgment ?Reckless spending ?High sex drive ?Alcohol or drug abuse ?Aggression ?Refusal to admit that there is a problem Bipolar Symptoms: Depression In bipolar disorder, manic episodes alternate with periods of emotional lows, which are known as depressive episodes. Signs of a depressive episode may include: ?Sadness, anxiety, or a feeling of emptiness ?Hopelessness ?Feelings of guilt, feeling worthless, or feeling helpless ?Lack of interest in activities that were once enjoyable, such as sex ?Low energy ?Trouble with concentration or memory ?Restlessness or irritability ?Excessive sleeping or insomnia ?Changes in appetite or weight ?Pain or other physical symptoms not explained by an illness or injury Thoughts of death, or suicidal thoughts or attempts to kill the self.