Just Curious ?

Hi, I'm not exactly sure what bi polar is. Just wondering if I may be ? Keep in mind I do have a addiction problem with opiates and in the past I was a alcoholic and addicted to Benzos but it has been over 2 years ago. Anyway I can be sitting thinking life is just great and think about something and my mood change instantly. Just one thought of one thing and it changes everything. It may change my mood for a few mins or may last all day. Its starting to happen to often. Its causing me a lot of problems. Just curious what defines bi polar? Your opinions welcome ?

I usually thought mood states lasted at least a week. So, you'd have to be manic for a week, or depressed for at least a week to qualify. There are rapid cyclers, but I don't know too much about that. Have you looked into BPD- borderline personality disorder?

Being triggered into an immediate different state depending on what you're thinking?

That's much more likely Borderline PD, if anything.

Substance abuse can cause and mimic other disorders. It can also mask them.

I would go and talk with a doctor about it, as you will need to get help with the substance abuse before they could really be sure of what was going on.

i would agree you need a professional opinion.

none of us here can diagnose you- just give you advice

good luck

I think of it as mood 'episodes' as opposed to mood 'swings.' Someone may swing from one mood to another during the course of a given day, but in the case of bipolar disorder, usually, once you're in an episode, it becomes pervasive, it lasts (maybe a week or more) and thoughts that come to mind, what others do around you -these may certainly affect you, but they're unlikely to bring you out of this mood state/episode, whether it's depression or hypo/mania.

Bipolar is also characterized by changes in energy, not just mood. So when you're hypo/manic, it's not just a matter of mood (happiness/irritability) but a radical change in energy level, where you may be able to go on little or no sleep, yet still feel very energetic, you may be so agitated that you can't sit still or stop talking.

If you don't already have a psychiatrist, I would consult one for an evaluation. A therapist may also help in reframing these thoughts you are having that are bringing you so down, so that they don't have this effect on you. Best of luck.