I think I'm bipolar

LegacyUser

Hello,

A little background info. I'm 19,still living with the family and have a pretty great life in general. I have plenty of friends,I'm healthy,in college etc.... However, I'm beginning to think I'm bipolar.

I go through stages of being really depressed and stages of feeling that I can do anything. The thing is,these feelings aren't linked to things that happen to me during the day,they just spring up out of nowhere. For example,I once felt really and unexplainingly sad whilst having sex. I can have wild mood swings that seem to stem from nothing,but other times I can be the friendliest bloke around.

I was just wondering what I should do. I'm not working so I can't really afford a physciatrist but I really don't want to tell my parents about this in case I'm just over reacting.

Dudess

These might be nothing - they might just be hormone-related. Or they might just be mild depression/anxiety... but if you're concerned you should talk to a professional. You wouldn't have to just book sessions with a psychiatrist - go to your college counsellor/doctor first.

Otis Driftwood

Its posible you are.Its also possible that you are just experiencing the hormonal crap that all teenagers go through.It might not be any harm to go and have a chat with your doctor though,especially if you are getting worried about it.

LegacyUser

I'm not really sure that it is hormones. I've gone through that stage like everybody else,but this feels different. When I was in my early/mid teens I'd get annoyed at things easily/overeact like all teenagers do. However,at the moment,I might just be watching tv and I'd suddenly feel really really sad or I might suddenly feel like I want to do something crazy for no reason. There doesn't even need to be another person around. It's also very strange the way it comes on. I could be midconversation with someone when my mood elevates/deflates.

LegacyUser

When you feel so good that you think you can do anything do you try to do the things you think you can?
Do you act and spend like you are rich but you are not?
Do you spend more than you have?
Do you think everything you say is very smart?
Do you find it hard to understand why people don't act on the great ideas you have?
Do people find you not as funny as you think your and that you offend them with your wit.
Do you impose yourself on people?


If the answer is yes to all or most of the above you need help now.

deadhead13

http://www.aware.ie/

I think this would be a usefull starting point.

Nevyn

I think your first step is to go see a dr, your gp or one in college and talk to them.

Slutmonkey57b

Your GP will be able to help you here and will be able to recommend people to talk to even if you're broke. Since you're in college, you've got a lot of other free and well-run efforts to help you out, don't be afraid to look them up. Like another poster says, you're still young so don't get too worried about it yet. Mood swings are normal. BiPolar (Manic Depressive always seems like a more accurate description to me) tends to be a lot more dramatic and affects your ability to function rather than just your feelings.

LegacyUser

Unregistered wrote: »

When you feel so good that you think you can do anything do you try to do the things you think you can?
Do you act and spend like you are rich but you are not?
Do you spend more than you have?
Do you think everything you say is very smart?
Do you find it hard to understand why people don't act on the great ideas you have?
Do people find you not as funny as you think your and that you offend them with your wit.
Do you impose yourself on people?


If the answer is yes to all or most of the above you need help now.

In my elevated state,that list describes very well how I feel. I'm not sure about the joke/wit question but everything else is spot on.

Nevyn

Please talk to a dr about this asap.