Does Anyone Here Have Bipolar Disorder?

[Kramer21]

How long did you have it until you knew what it was and what exact symptoms did you have and what made you go to a professional in the end?

[pixie373]

I don't, but i know three people that do and have known others in the past. It's one of the most disruptive illnesses I've ever seen.

[Kramer21]

Aha this would be why a few of the other users here got a little angry when i downplayed it. I seem to suffer from the symptoms according to a website and it has been disruptive but not enough for me to go and see the gp. Are the various degrees of the severity of this condition? Can i diagnose myself online before wasting my gp's time?

[Sqad]

\\\\but not enough for me to go and see the gp. Are the various degrees of the severity of this condition? \\\

If you have to ask these questions, then you do not suffer from Bipolar.

[losgigs]

You cannot 'diagnose yourself' unless you are medically qualified, which I am assuming you are not. Thankfully I don't suffer from this debilitating condition myself, but my brother did for many years and it ruined most of his adult life and his relationship with all his close family. Not something to be played down or dismissed as 'made-up'.

[pixie373]

There are different degrees, although i would say it's quite unmistakeable in its severity. We have a client, who is on full treatment (been sectioned 3x and still is). On a low, he barely gets out of bed and walks very slowly, eats very little. He is in hospital at the moment on a high. Has been moved to his own room, as hurling things around, trying to steal cars and climb out the window. Is literally like a different person. Even his eyesight is better on a high. It is amazing.
If you think you have symptoms, you will need to see a GP. I very much doubt you'll get an accurate online diagnosis.

[woofgang]

yes there are various degrees of severity and various patterns that the illness takes. If its affecting your life though, then go see the doc.

[pixie373]

And, i can't speak for everyone, but those who have it, don't seem self-aware enough to go to GP, because on a high they feel great. Is usually concerned/ terrified family members that decide something has to be done. Agree with sqad, you probably don't have it.

[Kramer21]

Well thanks for the answers i most definitely haven't got anything serious as mentioned but i'm pretty sure i have some form of condition i need to talk to my gp about. Once again thanks for the answers as i have a little research i need to do tonight.

[Buenchico]

The video here, and the posts on the topic in the 'Comments' section, may well be of interest to you:
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Bipolar-disorder/Pages/Rods-story.aspx

Then click on 'Overview' and work through the links in black ('Symptoms', 'Causes', 'Diagnosis', etc) to gain a better understanding of the condition.

I'm psychologically 'the other way round' to people with bipolar disorder. My form of autism means that rather than suffering the intense highs and lows of bipolar disorder I simply don't have highs and lows at all. (For example, I have absolutely no understanding of grief as an emotion but, equally, I can't understand people leaping about in pure joy. Neither means anything to me).

[AlwaysConfused]

A symptom checker here:

http://www.stavzor.com/wellness-tools/bipolar-symptoms-checker-self-evaluation.php

Although self-diagnosis can be unreliable and even dangerous

[woofgang]

pixie, people do turn up at the GP in between episodes saying "I don't know what's wrong with me....." but they tend to be those whose episodes are not very severe. Being bipolar is a spectrum thing, many many people have a touch of it, like being slightly dyslexic or slightly OCD. Its only when the issues seriously affect the life of the sufferer that it crosses the boundary from quirk or character trait to illness.

[pixie373]

Thanks, woofgang. Just speaking from personal experience, but that sounds exactly right.

[waterlocke22]

My mum suffers from bipolar however was diagnosed as depression for about 3 years until she got told it was bipolar, even if your unsure you should see your doctor asap the quicker you catch it the better, you don't want to live undiagnosed for long as i have seen for myself the destruction it can cause however please don't be scared as with the right treatment you can lead a relatively normal life :) the best thing to do is TALK, to everyone! Don't leave people in the dark about it, your loved ones will be your best support system

[boxtops]

Kramer, I'm glad you asked this, after your comment on the other thread - it's not to be taken lightly, certainly by people who live with sufferers if not by the patient themselves. If you are worried, the best way to set your mind at rest is to see your GP, not try to self-diagnose on the internet. The internet can be a very scary place.

[wolf63]

Yes - I do. :-(