People who are bp are not crazy and any psychiatrist with a brain would never call someone crazy (i would hope). I posted a reply under the topic bipolarism that you should read. It lists some of the most common symtoms. If this seems to fit your moods, I would definitely beg you to get help. See a psychiatrist as soon as possible, because it is horrible to have to live like that when you don't have too!.

Best of luck

Suzy,
for several years, I (and several family members) thought that I was losing my grip on my sanity. One day (or hour) I was sooo happy, energetic, just on top of the world. Had so much energy that I knew I could accomplish anything that I wanted to. And in the blink of an eye, I would be the total opposite. Sometimes the moods would last for days, or weeks. And the spending sprees.... I won't even get into that.

Anyway, it wasn't until I started having some problems at work that were attributed to these moods that I talked to my doctor about it. When I was finally diagnosed bipolar, I was so relieved.

If you feel that you might possibly be afflicted with this, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor about it. And get a second opinion if your regular doctor tries to overlook your concerns.

I recently talked a good friend of mine into going for treatment for his mood disorder, and as it turns out, he's bipolar also (big surprise...). When I talked with him yesterday, he told me that he feels like a different person after being on the meds for a while. It was a complete transformation, in a good way.

Good luck, and let us know how it turns out for you.

Dear ambra,

i actually thought for a while there that I may have been suffering bi polar, I have since found a wonderful doctor who has assured me I am not bi polar, but was suffering major depression as my mood was never going to a high, always staying at a low, I have been treated with an anti depressant called ciprimil which has really sorted that out, and my depression is now non existant. I consider myself one of the lucky ones who actually found a treatment that does work for me, I know others who just can't seem to get it right. I am now 8 weeks pregnant with our second child and happier than ever. It is safe to be on ciprimil and be pregnant, but I am keeping regular appointments with my doctor who is keeping a watchful eye on the situation.

Regards,

.::suzy::.

I was told by a Dr. I am bipolar and he put me on lithium and welburtin the problem is I sometimes still get in moods mostly low but boy when im high I can go go and go and spend....I am having trouble in my marriage so I dont know if thats the case or what but I also can become very abusive when we fight throwing things etc....Is this normal? I still cant control my anger like I should..

Star00
i do not have bi polar, but my sister does, the violance sadly is normal, for four years she beat the hell out of me, it got to the point where I wished I would want do die so I wouldnt have to deal with it. The best advise I have for you, if you have loved ones close to you (husband, kids) everyone needs to get educated so they understand what to do when your lows hit. Before my parents understood it they blamed me for her mood swings. Most importantly get therapy for you and then one for your family. There is a group called nami that gives classes in mental disorders. I hoped I hope I helped.

Suzy, I realize you posted this a long time ago, but I wanted to tell you something. Bipolar is so commonly misdiagnosed. Or not diagnosed, I guess. When you have bipolar, your lows can last a week, a month or a couple of years. You do not have to be on a constant schedule. And spending is a symptom of bipolar, but only with some people. I am bipolar and I have never in my life gone on a big spending spree. So, just because you do not have all of the symptoms doesn't mean your doctor should rule out bipolar. I mean, if you do not have it I am very glad. It is a life long struggle.
What I am trying to say is if there comes a day that your current meds stop working or if you experience a very very happy period of time and then fall back into depression, then go back to your doctor. Anti depressants can actually worsen bipolar disorder. There are certain meds for it that stabilize your mood. Taking anti depressants or depressants will worsen the condition.
Just an fyi.

Suzy,

i see where (& why) hotasfrick is coming from but one thing that caught my attention in reading his post & checking yours was

"or if you experience a very very happy period of time and then fall back into depression, then go back to your doctor"

since you're pregnant (ooops just checked your post date & I guess you're a mum again now - congratulations!!!!)it is almost certain that you are going to have some big highs & some probably/possibly unexpected lows, this is normal for any woman regardless of anything else that is or is not going on in her life.

When we give birth we experience a huge high often followed by a big low, because of huge hormonal changes & because of what absolutely no-one can prepare you for as words won't do it - the huge pressure of responsibility for that tiny scrap of humanity that you adore. Then too some women suffer post partum depression & don't adore, don't even want anything to do with their babies. the range of emotions is different not just for each person but for each birth & has nothing to do with either bi-polar or depression it just happens & no-one can say who will feel what.

so if you suffer extreme or new emotions that worry you now that you're a mum again, join the rest of us, but do talk to your dr he/shesounds like someone who will listen & hear you & respond appropriately, still if in doubt second opinions can be reassuring.

Suzy,

my mom is bp, and my dad divorced her a while ack, but the symptoms to this bpstuff, they can stat with being depressed a lot and having mood swings, and sometimes even not knowing why yu feel the way you do. If you can , look back into your family's history, and see if anyone had bp, because it usually skips the next generation.

Hello im a 25 yr old female with bipolar and anzity and many other problems. I wanted to see if there was any doctors or somone who reads these cause I have a couple of questions: I was infertal I finally had a baby then I actully found out I had these problems the meds I take help me but cause me to miss mt periods again I want to beable to have more children soi havent been takeing my meds and I can tell im up one day and down the next I have no insurance so I get samples from my docter
he said the missed periods wernt from the meds but when im on them I dont have any periods but when im off them it comes. So im confused on what to do. Im on zolof , risperdal , high blood pressure meds. So if any on can answer me please!!!!!

First we are all different so it is definitely possible that the meds stop you having your period!! Second it may be mind over matter, in other words if you believe they stop yuour period they will, this doesn't make you nuts, just says you have a strong subconscious.

I think you probably should take the blood pressure meds, pregnancy can up blood pressure & cause you & baby to die so stay away from salt & salty foods & take those meds!!

As to being up one day & down the next, when you're down just think, no i'm doing this to try & have a baby which is a great thing & something I want so instead of being down i'm going to go for a walk, read a book, watch tv, call a friend &/or go out join a group that is involved in soemthing you like, to help you get through those bad days.

People with bipolar can drastically change their moods quickly or slowly. They can be very happy and dramatically become sad or violent. I've seen many cases of people with this problem. In my studies, the cure is god. With god, it can be overcome. This disorder can be overcome. Drugs can affect people by hurting them even more. Like depression, they say, it "may be" this or it "may be" that. Do they even know what they're talking about? Trust yourself and be strong. If you have someone to talk to and trust, you can get through it. Alone may be difficult... You always have god!

First off, good for you that you have god in your life. Second, exactly what are your studies that god is the answer? Third, would you tell someone with diabetes or heart disease that god is the answer and to not seek medical attention. Bi-polar is a medical condition. It is not a figment of peoples imagination nor a manifestation of the devil or any other nonsense. And even though god defenitely helps deal with any difficult situation in our lives, that alone with not keep someone from doing something to endanger themselves or others.

So, my advice to anyone who thinks they or someone they know is bi-polar or has depression is seek medical attention for evaluation. Follow the doctors advice about medication, abstaining from recreational drugs and alcohol (they make depression and mania worse), get plenty of sleep and talk to someone (friend or therapist). And if it is something you are comfortable with, talk to god, he's always listening.

By the way, I am bi-polar. I take seizure medication to control my symptoms which is monitored by my doctor. I have an occasional glass of wine when i'm feel balanced. I always get plenty of sleep, because the lack there of always sets me off. I talk to a therapist when I feel in question of my balance and moods. And I always talk to god, because it is good to know he is on my side.

Mia

Ambra has stated most of the symptoms that a psychiatrist would look for. However, after you have been diagnosed and are taking medication, you could also recognize symptoms in others. However, do not think that you can go around diagnosing others, as they may be in complete denial about any major illness. Most people with bipolar disorder experience that their life after diagnosis is completely different, now that they are taking medications that assist the rationalization control process.