Bipolar or something else? I think I'm sick.?

Bipolar Disorder (BD) is a biochemical brain disorder which causes unusually intense emotional states that occur in distinct periods called “mood episodes”. These episodes can include ‘manic states’ which include feelings of being overly joyful or excited, to ‘depressed states’ of feeling extremely sad or hopeless. Sometimes, symptoms include both mania and depression — resulting in a mixed state.

Treatment typically includes medication and talk therapy. Since medication alone can’t do all the work: Social support for the patient and family, good nutrition, good sleep hygiene, exercise and abstinence from drugs and alcohol round out the treatment approach.

There is certainly nothing wrong with exploring things you like, it helps develop your sense of self. Balance is the key, make sure that you are doing all the things you should instead of putting one thing ahead not allowing it to take over your whole life. Feeling badly about a poor score, is natural especially if it was important that you do well. But being unhappy about your score a few days ago and then getting excited about something you really like today does not constitute Bipolar on its own. The difference comes from the 'intensity' in the feelings, not the fact of having them. In bipolar the mood swings are extremely opposing, obvious, and intense. The manic phase includes more risky behaviour, outside social norms, outside your core values, etc. where the depressed phase includes not being able to get out of bed perhaps or cannot function. Evaluate the intensity and how extreme the behaviours are.

While no one here can diagnose you and you cannot diagnose yourself, if the emotions are getting in the way of living a 'normal' life, talk to your health care provider as there are treatments and they are better qualified in determining if there is evidence that supports a diagnosis.

Best Wishes --

Thank you for reaching out for help. It sounds like you have a lot on your mind lately. It sounds like you might be experiencing anxiety. Anxiety can make your body feel strange. The thoughts that you think dictate the feelings that you feel. If you think negative, scary, or panicky thoughts, your brain releases chemicals that make you feel anxiety and irrational thoughts. If you think positive thoughts, your brain releases chemicals that make you feel happy and calm. To overcome anxiety, you must change your thought patterns.

For the next week, carry around a small notebook and write down every negative or scary thought that you have. This will help you to see how many of your thoughts are negative. The average person thinks a negative thought every two minutes! Then, after writing down the negative or scary thought, immediately write down or say out loud a positive thought. Come up with a list of positive thoughts that you can tell yourself: “I’m OK.” “Today is a good day because I am choosing that it will be.” “I am strong.” “I am beautiful.” “This too will pass, and I will get through this.”

Additionally, check out the following 99 coping skills, which can help you to refocus your thoughts on positive things: http://www.yourlifeyourvoice.org/DiscoverIt/Articl...

Sometimes it can help to talk to someone and tell them about what you are going through. Please know that there are people who can and will help you with what you are going through. You may want to consider talking with a counselor at a hotline. There are many hotlines that are 24/7 and will work with you and situations like yours. Some even have email and/or chat if you would prefer. Hopefully, you will continue to reach out!

Sincerely,

HW, Counselor

One thing I've noticed is that psychiatric diagnoses matter less on paper than you might think. If you are major depressive, have bipolar disorder, or whatever, you will get medicated more accordingly to your symptoms. At least with a decent doctor.