Am I Bipolar
We often hear the terms “bipolar” and “manic” thrown around quite casually, these days. Some use the term when someone is irritable or very excited. Others often equate it with genius. However, the truth of the matter is that bipolar disorders can be very subtle to the observer, and very crippling to the person living with it each and every day.
Bipolar Disorder In Clinical Terms
The first thing that must be known is that Bipolar Disorder is not something that passes with time, nor does it just happen out of the blue. Medically speaking, Bipolar Disorder is thought to be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, wherein a person suffers from shifts in moods that result in great highs, and equally abysmal lows.
Bipolar Disorder typically first manifests itself during a person’s teenage years. However, due to hormonal fluctuations that naturally occur during this time period, truly Bipolar shifts are difficult to recognize.
Later on, after adolescence, it is easier to recognize Bipolar mood swings that may be symptomatic of a truly Bipolar Disorder.
A few of the symptoms include:
- A high from spending money for frivolous things, followed by a sense of depression or lack of fulfillment
- A feeling of “invincibility” when things are going right
- An overall high level of stress, anxiety, and irritability due to a lack of sleep
- An inability to sleep due to ever-excitement or severe depression
- Acting recklessly or impulsively
- Feeling that nothing is worth doing
- Difficulty concentrating for period of time
- Changes in appetite that are more dependent on mood, rather than hunger
You may be asking yourself, “Am I Bipolar?” The answer is rarely yes or no. The diagnosis is rarely a black and white issue. The question isn’t “Am I Bipolar?” but rather “Am I experiencing things that are symptomatic of a classification of Bipolar Disorder?”
Classifications of Bipolar Disorder
While one cannot make an assumption that any single symptom listed above is cause for alarm, two or more may be warning signs that a degree of Bipolar Disorder exists. As such, the psychiatric field has given certain classifications to Bipolar Disorder based on the severity of the conditions that present themselves:
Bipolar I Disorder: In these cases there are very obvious shifts in mood, often for seemingly irrational reasons. Usually in these cases the person has experienced at least one period of severe depression.
Bipolar II Disorder: The shifts in mood are more severe, typically accompanied by “hypomania” – that is, a sense of euphoria or high-energy happiness for seemingly small reasons. This is usually followed by a feeling of depression that is equal to or greater than the “extremely good mood” that was felt before that shift.
Cyclothymia: This is a less severe form of Bipolar Manic Depression, where the shifts in mood are not as overt, and the symptoms that normally accompany Bipolar Disorder are not as drastic.
Misconceptions
Because Bipolar Disorder is very difficult to recognize by those who aren’t living with it, and by untrained professionals, a number of minconceptions have arisen regarding the disorder.
A highly stressed person is prone to Bipolar Disorder
Far from it. As stated above, Bipolar Disorder is a chemical imbalance (sometimes very slight in nature) that causes manic depressive mood swings. However, stressful situations can trigger a shift in mood or a manifestation of one of the above symptoms.
Bipolar individuals cannot act “normal” in any situations and aren’t grounded in reality
Sometimes more crippling than having a Bipolar Disorder, are statements like this. As a matter of fact, if recognized and treated, Bipolar individuals can lead extremely happy, successful, and fulfilling lives. Most times, the nature of Bipolar individuals in indistinguishable from a “normal” person – it is just that if left untreated, or if environmental situations are severe, then the manifestation can be drastic.
Bipolar Disorder only means a person is “moody”
No. While Bipolar Disorder normally manifests itself in drastic shifts from elation to severe depression, it can also lead to substance abuse, having more than the usual amount to drink, poor eating, restless sleep, insomnia, poor relationship judgments, and in severe cases – suicide.
The Next Step
If you feel that you might be experiencing a form of Bipolar Disorder, or know someone who exhibits the behavior detailed in this article, there are ways to get help. The first step is in recognizing the symptoms that might be pointing towards Bipolar Disorder. This will help guide you in getting the hlp you seek.
The next step is to monitor things like shifts in mood, and to take note of what might be the triggers for those shifts. Remember, knowing about am I bipolar is just the start. Being able to track mood swings and changes in behavior in order to see if they follow cycles, patterns, or are caused by an environmental (pay attention at work and at home to people and situations that may influence behavior or emotions) trigger is going to help you recognize what causes Bipolar shifts.
Finally, there are a number of treatments available to those who are experiencing manifestations of Bipolar Disorder. Bipolar disorder treatment varies across the board. While a few are pharmaceutical in nature, there are a number of things a person can do on one’s own in order to keep Bipolar Disorder in check, or at least minimize the triggers that can cause a Bipolar shift. These things include changes in diet, specific methods for reductions in stress, and even little things that will leave you in control, rather than letting Bipolar Disorder get control of you.