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Ryask · Nov 17, 2010, 09:58 PM

Only a professional can truly diagnose bi-polar but you can look at some of the symptoms and see if they apply to you.

Here are some symptoms of mania (that's the highs)

Feeling unusually “high” and optimistic OR extremely irritable
Unrealistic, grandiose beliefs about one’s abilities or powers
Sleeping very little, but feeling extremely energetic
Talking so rapidly that others can’t keep up
Racing thoughts; jumping quickly from one idea to the next
Highly distractible, unable to concentrate
Impaired judgment and impulsiveness
Acting recklessly without thinking about the consequences
Delusions and hallucinations (in severe cases)

Here are some symptoms of depression (the lows)

Feeling hopeless, sad, or empty.
Irritability
Inability to experience pleasure
Fatigue or loss of energy
Physical and mental sluggishness
Appetite or weight changes
Sleep problems
Concentration and memory problems
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Thoughts of death or suicide

Anyways from your name i assume you are from the US, there are some numbers that i can offer where they may be able to give some information or even help you set up an appointment with a professional who would be able to properly diagnose you.

Information Helpline
Trained volunteers provide information, referrals, and support to all who have questions about or are affected by serious mental illness. Call 1-800-950-NAMI.

or a state by state listing of all services provided in each state:

http://www.suicidehotlines.com

They have listings for crisis lines, suicide hot lines as well as over the phone counciling, or referral services it's also ok to just ask questions.

I sure hope you give some of those resources a look, it might turn out to be one of the best things you have ever decided to do.

Oh and about the prescription drugs, they never actually change who you are as a person or at least haven't in my experience. I was like you though when i got diagnosed i was like, yeah fine but i am not gonna be taking all these meds. However my doctor explained it kinda like this, she said when you get depressed it's because your brain doesn't have enough of certain chemicals to keep you happy, these are natural chemicals in your brain, so if you use a medication that makes you use more of these chemicals from your own natural stores, that's really not like an artificial production of chemicals that you take, it's more like a vitamin really. I mean why suffer if you don't have to, taking a pill or two is really no big deal, but who knows maybe you wont have to, sometimes counciling is enough for some people.

Anyways please post back when you decide what you want to do, these are just my suggestions and in no way are they the only way.

Good luck!