How do I know if I have Bipolar?
In my aforementioned meeting, I learned a great deal about the factual and emotional sides of dealing with a mental illness. Most of my stories are emotional ones, but I recognize the need for intellectual-based facts to really understand what's going on in a Bipolar mind. Everything that I share in this post will be coming directly from Karen Salisbury's notes. She was the therapist that came to discuss mental illness. I told her I wanted to share her stuff on my blog, and she gave me her notes. I hope you glean some helpful information either for you, or someone close to you.
The first fact I found interesting is that what goes on in the brain of someone with a mental illness is there's a physical difference. So, our brains aren't sick because it's in our MINDS... No. We're not making these things up. It's actually a documented difference in our physical BRAINS. Do a google search for "Bipolar brain scan images", you'll see what I mean.
There are several brain disorders or mental illnesses that affect our brains in a major way. These physical differences cause disturbances in a person's thinking, perception, behavior, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and overall daily functioning and diminishes the capacity to cope with the ordinary demands of life. They can affect anyone, no matter the age, race, religion, or income.
The most commonly diagnosed brain disorders are:
Anxiety Disorders: including phobias, panic disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorders
Mood Disorders: Depression and Bipolar Disorder
Schizophrenia
Eating Disorders: anorexia nervosa and bulimia
Personality Disorders
Dancers: Jessica Weight, Diane Davis, Jocelyn Smith Photographer: Tyler Smith
As Bipolar is the illness I suffer from, I will give details about this one. However, if you want more details about any other that I mentioned, please let me know. I can send you an email, or write a blog specifically about the disorder you request.
Those with Bipolar often experience two intense emotional states. These are known as mania and depression. A manic state come with feelings of irritability and/or euphoria, along with several other symptoms during the same week. These include agitation, surges of energy, reduced need for sleep, talkativeness, pleasure-seeking and increased risk-taking behavior.
On the flip side of that coin, when depression hits, there are feelings of extreme sadness, hopelessness, and loss of energy. Not everyone feels depression or mania in the same way and the severity of each varies from person to person.
Symptoms of Bipolar generally present themselves between the ages of 15-25. More than 10 million Americans have Bipolar Disorder, but it's often difficult to diagnose since the symptoms are unpredictable and sporadic.
In fact, there is enough difference between those who have bipolar, that there are two seperate types of Bipolar:
Bipolar I disorder: Mood swings with Bipolar I cause significant difficulty in your jon, school, or relationships. Manic episodes can be severe and dangerous.
Bipolar II disorder: Bipolar II is less severe than Bipolar I. You may have an elevated mood, irritability, and some changes in your functioning, but generally you can carry on with your normal daily routine. Instead of full-blown mania, you have hypo-mania, which is a less severe form of mania. In bipolar II, periods of depression last longer than periods of hypomania.
The following are lists of signs and symptoms of Bipolar- that you might be able to better read whether or not you or someone you know has bipolar.
Signs and symptoms of the manic or hypomanic phase of bipolar disorder can include:
Euphoria
Inflated self-esteem
Poor judgement
Rapid speech
Racing thoughts
Aggressive behavior
Agitation or irritation
Increased physical activity
Risky behavior
Spending sprees or unwise financial choices
Increased drive to perform or achieve goals
Increased sex drive
Decreased need for sleep
Easily distracted
Careless or dangerous use of drugs or alcohol
Frequent absences from work or school
Delusions or break from reality (psychosis)
Poor performance at work or school
Signs and symptoms of the depressive phase of bipolar disorder can include:
Sadness
Hopelessness
Suicidal thoughts or behavior
Anxiety
Guilt
Sleep problems
Low appetite or increased appetite
Fatigue
Loss of interest in activities once considered enjoyable
Problems concentrating
Irritability
Chronic pain without a known cause
Frequent absences from work or school
Poor performance at work or school
Someone doesn't need to have all these symptoms in order to have bipolar. Nor does the person only experience this one time. A diagnosis comes with carefully observing (and documenting) a pattern of these behaviors several times over the course of a few months. And then, finding a psychiatrist to do a diagnosis- not just a family doctor.
I was diagnosed first as just having depression. I didn't start the anti-depressants because I found out I was pregnant. As it turns out, anti-depressants can be a big problem to someone who has bipolar. Be careful with the diagnosis. Get several opinions first, so you can make sure to get the proper treatment as soon as you can.
Brain Disorders are difficult to learn to live with. I have found, however, that aknowledging it, and coming to terms with the truth about the illness, we then can be empowered to make some adjustments and take back our lives- as well as we are able.