Mini_bunbun
01-30-2005, 05:52 PM
Hi, I'm really new to this and I need help in finding out if I have bipolar disorder or if I'm just a normal teen.
I have really bad mood swings from where I'm happy one minute and one thought will send me to being sad or lashing out at others or verbally abusing them. When I think about all the stuff I've done during the mood changes, I get scared and I feel even more depressed. I dont mean to be like this but i cant help it. I dont want anyone to know that I'm trying to get a diagnosis for my problem so I'm having trouble figuring out where to go. Are there any clinics or anything that I could go to to find out if I am bipolar in Tampa,FL or anywhere close by Tampa? I cant seem to find anything myself and would appreciate the help.
Thanks
I have really bad mood swings from where I'm happy one minute and one thought will send me to being sad or lashing out at others or verbally abusing them. When I think about all the stuff I've done during the mood changes, I get scared and I feel even more depressed. I dont mean to be like this but i cant help it. I dont want anyone to know that I'm trying to get a diagnosis for my problem so I'm having trouble figuring out where to go. Are there any clinics or anything that I could go to to find out if I am bipolar in Tampa,FL or anywhere close by Tampa? I cant seem to find anything myself and would appreciate the help.
Thanks
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princesspea
01-30-2005, 07:28 PM
Hi Mini_bunbun :wave: ,
Welcome to the board!
There is a chance you are being a normal teen. Don't discount that idea!
The bad news is if you're bipolar your going to have to go to a psychiatrist. If your family has insurance to pay for it you need to go to your regular doc to get a referal. If you don't have any insurance your going to have to try and find a clinic that charges on a slideing scale based on your parents income. You can call the local Salvation Army and they should have the info on where you can find one.
I can understand you not wanting to tell anybody about what you're thinking about what's going on with you. If you are bipolar, I can promise you that the people who love you already know there is something wrong.
I'm sorry I couldn't give you more info on some kind of clinic but, I just don't know of any such thing. There are people smarter than I who live in bigger cities than I do that may know more. Hold tight I'm sure someone will be along.'
Love,
Jamie
Welcome to the board!
There is a chance you are being a normal teen. Don't discount that idea!
The bad news is if you're bipolar your going to have to go to a psychiatrist. If your family has insurance to pay for it you need to go to your regular doc to get a referal. If you don't have any insurance your going to have to try and find a clinic that charges on a slideing scale based on your parents income. You can call the local Salvation Army and they should have the info on where you can find one.
I can understand you not wanting to tell anybody about what you're thinking about what's going on with you. If you are bipolar, I can promise you that the people who love you already know there is something wrong.
I'm sorry I couldn't give you more info on some kind of clinic but, I just don't know of any such thing. There are people smarter than I who live in bigger cities than I do that may know more. Hold tight I'm sure someone will be along.'
Love,
Jamie
Ruth6:11
01-30-2005, 08:20 PM
It's so hard to diagnose anyone online.
And the truth is that if you are a normal teen the hormones that are kicking in can affect you in ways that are very similar to the chemical imbalance that is bipolar.
Hormones are chemicals after all.
You'll truly have to see a doctor to sort through your symptoms who can also take into account your hormonal situation in adolescence...
I know it's not what you want to hear... Maybe you can find a list of symptoms on the internet for bipolar disorder and mark the ones that you have. Then show it to a parent, or a school counselor, or your family doctor.
We're just not doctors here unfortunately... Our street smarts about bipolar disorder is pretty good tho once you're diagnosed, and as you may already know you'll get more than one side of the story here!!
And the truth is that if you are a normal teen the hormones that are kicking in can affect you in ways that are very similar to the chemical imbalance that is bipolar.
Hormones are chemicals after all.
You'll truly have to see a doctor to sort through your symptoms who can also take into account your hormonal situation in adolescence...
I know it's not what you want to hear... Maybe you can find a list of symptoms on the internet for bipolar disorder and mark the ones that you have. Then show it to a parent, or a school counselor, or your family doctor.
We're just not doctors here unfortunately... Our street smarts about bipolar disorder is pretty good tho once you're diagnosed, and as you may already know you'll get more than one side of the story here!!
princesspea
01-31-2005, 12:43 AM
I never thought to give you a list of symptoms. You can thank Ruth for this cause I wouldn't have thought of it on my own. You don't have to have all these symptoms.
Bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression) is a treatable illness marked by extreme changes in mood, thought, energy and behavior. It is not a character flaw or a sign of personal weakness. Bipolar disorder is also known as manic depression because a person’s mood can alternate between the "poles" mania (highs) and depression (lows). This change in mood or "mood swing" can last for hours, days weeks or months.
Bipolar disorder affects more than two million adult Americans. It usually begins in late adolescence (often appearing as depression during teen years) although it can start in early childhood or later in life. An equal number of men and women develop this illness (men tend to begin with a manic episode, women with a depressive episode) and it is found among all ages, races, ethnic groups and social classes. The illness tends to run in families and appears to have a genetic link. Like depression and other serious illnesses, bipolar disorder can also negatively affect spouses and partners, family members, friends and coworkers. (top)
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder differs significantly from clinical depression, although the symptoms for the depressive phase of the illness are similar. Most people who have bipolar disorder talk about experiencing "highs" and "lows" – the highs are periods of mania, the lows periods of depression. These swings can be severe, ranging from extreme energy to deep despair. The severity of the mood swings and the way they disrupt normal life activities distinguish bipolar mood episodes from ordinary mood changes.
Symptoms of mania - the "highs" of bipolar disorder
Increased physical and mental activity and energy
Heightened mood, exaggerated optimism and self-confidence
Excessive irritability, aggressive behavior
Decreased need for sleep without experiencing fatigue
Grandiose delusions, inflated sense of self-importance
Racing speech, racing thoughts, flight of ideas
Impulsiveness, poor judgment, distractibility
Reckless behavior
In the most severe cases, delusions and hallucinations
Symptoms of depression - the "lows" of bipolar disorder
Prolonged sadness or unexplained crying spells
Significant changes in appetite and sleep patterns
Irritability, anger, worry, agitation, anxiety
Pessimism, indifference
Loss of energy, persistent lethargy
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness
Inability to concentrate, indecisiveness
Inability to take pleasure in former interests, social withdrawal
Unexplained aches and pains
Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
Bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression) is a treatable illness marked by extreme changes in mood, thought, energy and behavior. It is not a character flaw or a sign of personal weakness. Bipolar disorder is also known as manic depression because a person’s mood can alternate between the "poles" mania (highs) and depression (lows). This change in mood or "mood swing" can last for hours, days weeks or months.
Bipolar disorder affects more than two million adult Americans. It usually begins in late adolescence (often appearing as depression during teen years) although it can start in early childhood or later in life. An equal number of men and women develop this illness (men tend to begin with a manic episode, women with a depressive episode) and it is found among all ages, races, ethnic groups and social classes. The illness tends to run in families and appears to have a genetic link. Like depression and other serious illnesses, bipolar disorder can also negatively affect spouses and partners, family members, friends and coworkers. (top)
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder differs significantly from clinical depression, although the symptoms for the depressive phase of the illness are similar. Most people who have bipolar disorder talk about experiencing "highs" and "lows" – the highs are periods of mania, the lows periods of depression. These swings can be severe, ranging from extreme energy to deep despair. The severity of the mood swings and the way they disrupt normal life activities distinguish bipolar mood episodes from ordinary mood changes.
Symptoms of mania - the "highs" of bipolar disorder
Increased physical and mental activity and energy
Heightened mood, exaggerated optimism and self-confidence
Excessive irritability, aggressive behavior
Decreased need for sleep without experiencing fatigue
Grandiose delusions, inflated sense of self-importance
Racing speech, racing thoughts, flight of ideas
Impulsiveness, poor judgment, distractibility
Reckless behavior
In the most severe cases, delusions and hallucinations
Symptoms of depression - the "lows" of bipolar disorder
Prolonged sadness or unexplained crying spells
Significant changes in appetite and sleep patterns
Irritability, anger, worry, agitation, anxiety
Pessimism, indifference
Loss of energy, persistent lethargy
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness
Inability to concentrate, indecisiveness
Inability to take pleasure in former interests, social withdrawal
Unexplained aches and pains
Recurring thoughts of death or suicide