still confused I think

Ok I know before I posted/said that I think I may be bipolar (yep, I know I need to get diagnosed, but it's a loooong waiting list to see a psych worker)- BUT now I don't think I am, because I've been keeping tabs on any mood swings and errr they are not they often. Like, the mania (?) or when I am Hyper hyper can kick-in ANY time. So am I just a weirdo or what.
who cares!.

You can have one episode a year! You can be in remission and still be bipolar. Don't run away. Tgey diagnosed me as pmdd at first- a GP, mind you, but still.

Thats how it is for my brother he or the doctor did not think he was bipolar because he did not have the manic or hyperness .But he is bipolar

hmmm. ok I'll have to think about this

pic the firs one in the search. But daily mood charting is essential; same as journaling daily or weekly your thoughts is essential. It helps your treatment team with a diagnosis. http://www.google.com/search?client=...hannel=suggest

I was recently diagnosed two months ago after my first hypo-manic episode, and my major depressive episode. I spend 5 days in a pysch ward for the end of that major depressive episode because i was helplessly suicidal.

it takes time, and patience for a diagnosis.

You don't have to cycle every day, week, or month to be diagnosed with bipolar. This is a spectrum disorder and by spectrum that means there are a LOT of different flavors to choose from. You may only cycle once a year...consider yourself fortunate. Or you may cycle once a twice (or more) per day...like I often do. If you have to wait for the appointment with the pdoc then wait. It is worth it to get an accurate diagnosis. But to help you and the doctor, start keeping a mood journal every day and be sure to accurately describe your mood swings and severity to help the doctor get a better picture of what you are (or have been) going through. All of that will help you get the help you need much more quickly. I hope that helps.

Peace
Mac

Thanks for the replies. Seriously. ANd I definitely should be keeping a diary/journal of my moods/nuttiness.
Just had another thought (oh no)- maybe I eat too much sugary stuff (and drink loads of coke)- ....maybe that's why I am this way? Like the energizer bunny.
Just a thought. sorry

Yes, sugar and caffeine can have impact on your mood.

P.S. I have another question (sorry).
CesarioRose, that Mood Chart you posted the link for- it's really really good, but..... when I am Hyper, would you and any others class that as 'High Mood'?? Because I'm not necessarily happy when I have the hyperness.
Sometimes I am, but other times I can be irritable, crazy, annoyed, or just 'neutral'. I would'nt define any of those moods/mannerisms/feelings as definitely 'Happy' or 'High'?.
Sorry.

Mania, and to a lesser extent, Hypo-Mania, and even still to a lesser extent, hyperthymic temperament, are three levels of mania. Mania in a traditional sense can be defined loosely on significantly elevated moods. From irritability to rage, little or no sleep for days, weeks, or months. It expands to an elevated need to be active, and many people experience flight of ideas, or they say their mind is racing from idea to idea. Many who have episodes of full-blown mania also experience Psychosis, and experience delusions, hallucinations (auditory, or visual or otherwise), paranoia, etc etc. Basically Psychosis is defined as a complete loss of reality.

Hypo-mania is many things that is Mania minus Psychosis. This, too, can take the form of elevated self esteem, grandiosity, irritable or rage. Many have pressured speech and talk very quickly, and have flight of ideas. It would be wise to read the links I posted, and go over the symptoms with your pdoc and therapist and how they relate to you. Both psy-health workers should know them well, and know how to recognize them. Diagnosis by your self is unwise, BUT it is very useful to know the basics of the moods beforehand, and have some insight on your self after careful observations.

I can, like any of us, only speak for my self. But I don't experience full-blown mania, rather I have episodes of hypomania that last for a few days (I cycle almost every week now off the drugs. drugs were making me cycle more violently and faster. go figure.) But my hypomania can manafest it's self in a few ways. I am extremely irritable, and have had rage episodes; i am very forward and confrontational with people. Other times, I am joyful and elated to just be in existence, and I am a very talkative person, and I fit the stereotype, when hypomanic, of being "the life of the party." I typically think extremely fast for my self, compared to when normal or depressed, and often just say exactly what i'm thinking no matter what it is because I just cant hold it in. Hypomania is often described as a extremely pleasurable experience because of the euphoria, and extreme sense of well being.

I hope this helps. Everyone kinda has similar, but different experiences that shape their mania over the course of their lives. While they do fit into a diagnosable mood state, with defined underlining criteria, many have their own ways of... what's the word, perception of the world while in these states. Basically, it's both different for everyone, but everyone kinda fits into a "mold" of criteria. Make sense?

The Mania page has a posting about mixed episodes. It would be wise, as well, to look into them. If you have not had one, then i'd read into it carefully in order to prepare if you ever do. But that's for another time.

Hope this helps, mate.

Yeah, it does help, (are you an Aussie or a Brit? Only ask because of the 'mate' bit )
-but, because it is written so eloqut eloquently, I'll have to decipher the code.
Well actually it's not code per se, but kind of, to an untrained mind. I think. Oh B******s. Just written something daft again (me, that is).....
Yes it helps, and I'll look up the stuff you mentioned. And you write well. Are you a phd? md? bbc, cia, fbi?

Hah ha. I am not a Brit, nor an Aussie. I am from the US. But I hate the way people talk in my area, so I try to switch it up. Thanks for the writing; i'm not any of those. The highest my education goes is an US Associates degree in Computer Information Systems. There is no code, or any special message... just passing along some knowledge.

Thanks mate

Oh- something else now (sorry!)- after reading up on what you suggested and looking up Mania/Manic/Bipolar on Wikipedia, I have come to the unfathomable conclusion that I am schizotypoid. Because from the 'symptoms', it fits me like a glove.
So err... bye! I'll check back here every so often.

me thinks you're hypochodriac. Or label-seeker

Do not worry, I was like that ones. I could diagnose myself with any mental disorder out there (besides anorexia, because I love food too much).

The best approach: 1. Get a proper diagnosis by a professional. 2. Get proper treatment from a professional. 3. Follow recommended treatment. 4. Repeat steps 1 through 3.

As much time as you've spent trying to diagnose yourself, you could have made an appointment with someone who can properly diagnose you. Even if you're on target with your diagnosis, all I can say is that when someone represents themself in court, they have a fool for an attorney, and when someone diagnoses and treats themself, they have a fool for a doctor. Just saying..

so err has no one else ever self diagnosed and been correct? And cannot doctors and others be wrong?
I'm not saying I definitely am this or that disorder, all I'm saying is that from what I have read, it looks like I may have schizotypoid. Doesn't mean I'm correct, doesn't mean I'm wrong either. Just that I have more of the symptoms of schizotypoid than bipolar, that's all.

Also, I know (said this about 9 zillion times already)-that I need to see a specialist who is 'qualified' to diagnose me. Does'nt happen overnight here in the UK, takes anything from 2 to 6 months, as you are placed on a waiting list.

And I'm not a label seeker or a hypochondriac. Just want to know what I have, that's all.

but you really seem to be shopping for labels.

You know for me... I don't believe in the medical model, so it does not really matter. You can in meantime work on yourself. Journal. Try to address the quirks. And read something else than diagnostic manuals.

I have to agree with Venus - there are proactive steps you can take while you wait for a diagnosis; reading diagnostic information can even increase symptoms. There are some practical things you can work on; there is a workbook on Dialectical Behavior Therapy that has exercises that would help anyone. A lot of therapy centers around cognitive or behavioral therapy. Exercises to improve positive thinking, to have more control of emotions, to be focused; you don't need a diagnosis to try those.

I agree with venus on this one. But I see your point of view, too; I was once like that. I just needed to know what was going on with me, because I really started to notice the cycles I had all my life when i was 23/24, and finally reached out, and got a diagnosis when i was 25 (now.) Hell, i'm still not sure it's correct, and I am "studying my self" to really be sure. My point is that it really doesn't matter what the heck we have. Because we are who we are, and we just need to accept our selves for who we are at the core.

Hey, PT52, do you have the name of the book? If it's available on Amazon I may buy it.

It's "The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook for Bipolar Disorder" (now, that's a mouthful!) by Sheri Van Dijk, MSW and I got it on Amazon myself. It's really useful.