Is This a Bipolar Episode/Drug Use

[bipolarandaddictive]

I have been off for the last four days, obsessing about a problem my daughter's having, impulsively striking out at people, irritability, depression and paranoia.  Is this what you would call a manic or hypomanic episode.  I have trouble determining them.  I must also add that I have abused speed for the last two weeks and today is my last dose and I have decided to quit.  Do you think it may have contributed to the manic mood?  Also, I noticed that the drug doesn't work that well anymore.  It actually works against me.  Does anyone know what could be going on?

[razeberryrain582]

yes check with your doc

[moonpanda]

Drugs like amphetamines can in some cases worsen existing mania, or bring it out in people predisposed to becoming manic; these drugs an also mimic the symptoms of a manic episode if taken in a great enough quantity (less need for sleep, racing thoughts, sometimes even psychosis, etc.), so what you've been experiencing could be caused by any number of things. It's really a good step that you've decided to quit using right now, and you've told yourself and written it on this forum (it might not seem like much, but a small commitment can be made by writing it down). I don't know too much else about the drug effects, so I'm not sure what could be happening when it starts to work against you. It could be a rebound effect from taking high doses over an extended period. Like Xila mentioned, there is an addiction forum, and perhaps there are some people who could help answer that part of the question a little better.

As for your daughter, her behavior and mood sound troubling and serious, but she will need to get evaluated by a professional to know for sure what is going on. It could potentially be some form of a manic or mixed episode, or it could be depression (irritability and paranoia can be common symptoms in depression as well as mania). Mood disorders can be complicated, but they can also be treated. Whatever is going on, it sounds like it's worth speaking with someone about, even a counselor if one is available for the time being. In the meantime, make sure to check out the websites posted in the "welcome" post at the top of the forum if you haven't already, just to get an idea of what one might see in a manic or hypomanic episode, and you can compare that to what you and your daughter are going through.
http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Mental-Health/Useful-Bipolar--Depression-Webisites/show/523?cid=105

[Xila31]

Well, it would depend on if you have bipolar or not or if you think you might. Only a psychiatrist can tell you. May or may not be the drug or bipolar or depression. A lot could be going on. They also have an addictions forum here for people who had trouble with addictions. Really the only way to know for sure what is happening to you is to see a doctor.

It is good you are deciding to quit drugs because they only work against you, not for you. Although you think they were working for you, it was a trick. Good luck on quitting, it is a hard road but worth it and it will also be better for your daughter.