How do i know if i am bipolar?

[33manatees]

I am a 20 year old female. I will be totally happy go-lucky one minute and the next i'm mad or upset about something. I was just wondering what the symptoms or signs of bipolar are?

[Twelvesgirl]

ILADVOCATE is right, it is best to talk to a psychiatrist about your symptoms. They will know best, they are professionals. Do not let comments on this forum discourage you from getting help in any way. The psychiatrist you see will ask you a number of questions and you need to answer them honestly, and tell him what you are feeling. Most doctors are there to help, and to educate you, it may be a good idea to see a therapist as well. There isn't much info that you have given above, there may be some things going on in your life, stressful situations that make your mood fluctuate, which is a normal thing. Everyone goes through that. If that is the case then therapy is a great way to work through that, and get it off your shoulders and learn ways to cope. When you set up an appt w/ a psychiatrist you can ask to set up an appt to see a therapist if you think that might be helpful. I hope things work out for you.

[adel_ezz]

bipolarity is a mental illness. it's not a joke. OK you are moody so what ! There is something called in teenage hormonal imbalance. Like IL said could be BP, only a psychiatrist can diagnose you. In my view unless it's alarming what you feel just forget about it. If you consult a pdoc he will write you a script to follow and a combo of drugs to swallow.

Everybody has his drawbacks nobody is ideal you know. Only when your mood interferes with your life, job, hobbies, friendships, etc... etc... called impairement that you have to consult a psychiatrist.

This a forum of people that some of them have serious setbacks not just i am happy once then angry another time. I wish i am like you. You didn't say you are DEPRESSED incidentally. BP pts can fluctuate then crash to depression or elated to mania after a while. I don't see you depressed just angry this is not mixed episode.

I only want to warn you, accept what you are UNLESS life is unbearable and you start to suffer and can't withstand the fluctuations in mood. Only then you can go to see a pdoc and it will be worthy because he may give you a tranquiliser to start with.

What about doing some sports so that you dissipate your energy. How is your sleeping do you have long ones or always on the edge because this can upset you very much.

good luck

[ILADVOCATE]

Its different in each person but a person can rapid cycle from manic to depressed and the depressive aspect  has some aspects of mania be a mixed state and appear like anger. This are complex terms and ultimately best to talk over with a psychiatrist but we have some websites linked up  for information that might help you understand it better.